Rabies a real threat in dog bites

Being attacked by a dog can be traumatic – and dangerous – in itself, but even after the dog attack the victim is still at risk of injury from rabies. This virus can be transmitted through the saliva of a dog or any other rabid animal during a bite attack. If the skin is broken it allows the infected saliva to enter the bloodstream, infecting the victim with the virus.

The rabies virus causes rapid brain degeneration, and is related to mad cow disease. In humans, early symptoms are similar to many other diseases: fever, headache, and flu-like symptoms. However as the disease progresses, noticeable symptoms of brain damage begin to appear including confusion, difficulty sleeping, hallucinations, and even partial paralysis. In both humans and animals, the disease usually kills within days of the first symptoms.

Today in the United States, death from rabies is rare in humans. There is now an effective vaccine that many vets and other people who are in regular close contact with animals are encouraged to get. Those who seek immediate medical attention after a dog bite or animal bite can be treated nearly 100% of the time. The handful of rabies deaths in this country are usually a result of people who do not go to a hospital, clinic, or doctor, or who are unaware that they have the virus.

But the pain, inconvenience, and anxiety that comes with rabies treatment is very real. One man attacked in Virginia in 2006 was very worried about his wounds after a dog owner ordered the dog to attack. The older man, permanently disabled after a car accident in 1992, told a newspaper that he thought that if he had rabies, “it’s terminal.” States across the nation are also warning residents, especially those in rural areas, about increases in rabies among raccoons, foxes, skunks, and even bobcats.

Rabies can also be transmitted when an infected dog bites another dog or other family pet. Not only does this endanger the lives of the dog owners – any dog can bite a family member at any time, especially if it is sick – but usually the family has to go through the pain of quarantining the dog and perhaps eventually putting it down.

Owners are responsible for keeping their dogs under control and preventing dog bites from occurring. Most dogs must also have rabies shots, and owners are encouraged to keep their dogs away from wild animals if possible for the safety of their dog, and to help prevent the spread of the disease. But this is not always the case. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a dog bite, contact a personal injury attorney at Jim S. Adler & Associates. We may be able to help you get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us by calling directly, or by clicking the link below for your free case review.

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