Help--Am I at Risk for Rabies?

wrote
....I can't have the trots and go to work on Monday.

Here's the help you need:
http://tinyurl.com/ddkahy

On Mar 14, 9:23*pm, "22brix" wrote:

Hi Candace,

Unlurking a bit here. *I am a microbiologist and I used to work in a Public
Health Lab--I used to do Rabies testing all the time. *Rodents, including
hamsters, are considered to be a very low threat for Rabies and testing is
almost never recommended. *I can't give you a precise percentage but I would
say it's much less than 1 percent.

Is Ebony vaccinated? *If he is, I don't think you really need to worry. *The
determination to either test for rabies or to get treated is partly
dependent on the circumstances. *If this were considered to be an unprovoked
attack (if he had chased you down and bitten you) I would be a lot more
concerned. *As it is, Ebony was protecting his prize and it would be
considered a provoked attack. *No one can say that you have a zero risk of
getting rabies but I think it is extremely low. *Rabies is found primarily
in the brain/nervous tissue and in the saliva, not so much in the blood.
Unfortunately, testing the kitty means the cat would have to be euthanized
(or possibly quarantined for 10 days or so). *Post exposure treatment is not
as bad as it used to be but still isn't much fun and is very expensive.

Even if you live in an urban area, there can still be animals that are
rabid--I would be much more concerned if you'd been bitten by *a bat. *Bats
are notorious for being rabid--almost all of the cases of human deaths from
rabies in the US are traced to bat rabies.

I am much more concerned about you getting a very very nasty infection from
Ebony's bite. *Cat bites can cause hideous infections and can be very
difficult to treat, especially if it is a deep bite.

If I were you, I would try not too stress too much, call your Public Health
Department and see what they have to say. *And, get that bite treated!!
Maybe the Doc can give you an antibiotic that isn't so hard on your tummy!!

All the best,

Bonnie

PS *Here's a link to CDC. *It has some good info.

http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure/types.html

Thank you, Bonnie. Unfortunately, Ebony is not vaccinated. I don't see
why he should have to be quarantined or euthanized and tested when I
have the hamster body. IF Ebony were tested now, he'd be negative,
too. I don't know why I can't just have the shots for peace of mind.
I handle stray cats a lot so it wouldn't be for naught. I'm worried
the hamster might have been bitten by a bat or something.

I guess I just won't have peace of mind unless I can have the shots
and I probably can't get them since no one cares.

Thank you, I'll talk to Public Health Monday.

Candace

On Mar 14, 6:50*pm, Candace wrote:
This morning, I noticed Ebony, one of the sweet outdoor cats playing
with something in the yard. *I went out and he had some sort of rodent
(I'm not a rodent expert) that he was batting around that wasn't
dead. *My natural instinct was to get him away from it so I grabbed
him and tossed him into a small room briefly--big mistake as his
formerly feral ways returned and he bit the beejesus out of my thumb.

Okay, I'm a psycho worrier. *I called one of my vet practices (one was
distinctly unhelpful and it's the one I've been using the most lately,
makes me reconsider). *I got the wounded but living rodent into a
coffee can without touching it at all. *They identified it as a
hamster that seemed neglected--either by having been out in the wild
for awhile for just a bad home--as it's claws were long.

I got myself into a tizzy worrying that this critter might have been
exposed to rabies, Ebony chewed on the hamster, and then a few minutes
later Ebony passed it onto me. *I went to an Urgent Care place and got
a tetanus shot and some abx, whihc I'm not going to take as nothing
appears infected at this time. *The doctor really didn't have answers
to any of my questions. *He thought I had maybe a 1 percent chance of
contracting rabies. *I asked--wouldn't there be an incubation period
in Ebony before he could pass it to me and the doctor said--well, what
if he had hamster blood on his teeth when he bit you (he also
scratched me several places).

So I've been reading up, of course. *Hamsters rarely get rabies but
who knows how long this hamster has been outside.

The hamster, btw, was euthanized and its body is in the freezer at the
vet's. *The doctor told me to call the Dept. of Public Health on
Monday and ask them what they think and since the body is available it
cold be tested if they would do that.

So, I know none of you probably know the answer either but do you
think I need the shots and I wonder if they would give them to me or
if they're just going to say--oh, no big deal, don't worry--and refuse
to administer them to me. *Rabies sounds like a horrible way to go and
it's always fatal if you get it.

Keep in mind, I have absolutely *no* concerns about Ebony having
rabies prior to this event. *He took off horrified. *I'm sure he'll
come back to eat at some point but he was traumatized. *I should have
just let him eat and kill the thing, at least I wouldn't be worrying
about myself now.

I don't know if rabies is around in wild animals here. *I live in a
very urban area of Phoenix. *There are no large wild animals--no
coyotes, foxes around here--but I've seen bats flying around
sometimes, we have gophers, moles, and roof rats are in the area. *How
do I know the hamster didn't have a run-in with one of those animals?
And no one is going to know for sure, I suppose. *Maybe the Public
Health Dept. will know if there has been any rabies in my neighborhood
among wild animals or maybe they'll be totally unhelpful, as most
govt. agencies are.

Tony is out of town, I had planned on a nice, quiet weekend, but now
I'm all stressed! *Any words of wisdom?

Candace

p.s. I do feel sorry for the poor hamster, too, but I'm mostly
concerned about ME!

Candace - I wouldn't worry too much about rabies. You needed the
tetanus shot and the antibiotics. Cat bites are much more serious
than a dog bite. The bites get infected about 80% of the time
compared to a dog bite of about 15% infection rate.. The reason is
because cats teeth are so small and pointed and easily penetrate.

I am a Physician Assistant and I have seen some pretty nasty cat
bites. If you are not allergic to penicillin, you should take
Augmentin 875mg twice daily for about 10 days.Take the antibiotic with
food so you won't get an upset stomach. But hopefully, your bite does
not become infected.

Hope things turn out well !
Wendy

On Mar 14, 9:30*pm, Sherry wrote:
On Mar 14, 8:50*pm, Candace wrote:



This morning, I noticed Ebony, one of the sweet outdoor cats playing
with something in the yard. *I went out and he had some sort of rodent
(I'm not a rodent expert) that he was batting around that wasn't
dead. *My natural instinct was to get him away from it so I grabbed
him and tossed him into a small room briefly--big mistake as his
formerly feral ways returned and he bit the beejesus out of my thumb.

Okay, I'm a psycho worrier. *I called one of my vet practices (one was
distinctly unhelpful and it's the one I've been using the most lately,
makes me reconsider). *I got the wounded but living rodent into a
coffee can without touching it at all. *They identified it as a
hamster that seemed neglected--either by having been out in the wild
for awhile for just a bad home--as it's claws were long.

I got myself into a tizzy worrying that this critter might have been
exposed to rabies, Ebony chewed on the hamster, and then a few minutes
later Ebony passed it onto me. *I went to an Urgent Care place and got
a tetanus shot and some abx, whihc I'm not going to take as nothing
appears infected at this time. *The doctor really didn't have answers
to any of my questions. *He thought I had maybe a 1 percent chance of
contracting rabies. *I asked--wouldn't there be an incubation period
in Ebony before he could pass it to me and the doctor said--well, what
if he had hamster blood on his teeth when he bit you (he also
scratched me several places).

So I've been reading up, of course. *Hamsters rarely get rabies but
who knows how long this hamster has been outside.

The hamster, btw, was euthanized and its body is in the freezer at the
vet's. *The doctor told me to call the Dept. of Public Health on
Monday and ask them what they think and since the body is available it
cold be tested if they would do that.

So, I know none of you probably know the answer either but do you
think I need the shots and I wonder if they would give them to me or
if they're just going to say--oh, no big deal, don't worry--and refuse
to administer them to me. *Rabies sounds like a horrible way to go and
it's always fatal if you get it.

Keep in mind, I have absolutely *no* concerns about Ebony having
rabies prior to this event. *He took off horrified. *I'm sure he'll
come back to eat at some point but he was traumatized. *I should have
just let him eat and kill the thing, at least I wouldn't be worrying
about myself now.

I don't know if rabies is around in wild animals here. *I live in a
very urban area of Phoenix. *There are no large wild animals--no
coyotes, foxes around here--but I've seen bats flying around
sometimes, we have gophers, moles, and roof rats are in the area. *How
do I know the hamster didn't have a run-in with one of those animals?
And no one is going to know for sure, I suppose. *Maybe the Public
Health Dept. will know if there has been any rabies in my neighborhood
among wild animals or maybe they'll be totally unhelpful, as most
govt. agencies are.

Tony is out of town, I had planned on a nice, quiet weekend, but now
I'm all stressed! *Any words of wisdom?

Candace

p.s. I do feel sorry for the poor hamster, too, but I'm mostly
concerned about ME!

Candace, I'm really surprised at the lax attitute you experienced from
the health professionals.
We had the dept. of health calling our house, because the docs were
required to call them
any animal bite. IMO your case should have been taken more seriously.
Maybe it's because hamsters aren't prone to rabies. But you probably
have been exposed to
the blood/saliva of the animal through the cat bite, and rabies is NOT
something to play
around with.
Another thing is, I've been treated for cat bites several times.
They've used doxycycline, penicillin, and even
once Cipro. I've never had Augmentin for a puncture bite. It's hard to
believe that's the only antibiotic that'll
work! Tell them the reaction you have to the drug -- surely they can
prescribe a different one that will also
be effective.
I think the chances you've been exposed to rabies are practically nil,
but on the OFF CHANCE the animal
tests positive, one thing I can tell you is that the vaccination
series is nothing as bad as it used to be.
Please keep us posted. Sending best wishes that the hamster is NOT
positive.
As far as "words of wisdom" (don't make me laugh!)....watch the bite
to be sure it doesn't get too red, or too swollen,
or a red streak doesn't start running up your arm. If it does, hit
your ER or Urgent Care clinic. They can administer
IV antibiotics.
Good luck! Let me know. I'm gonna be worried about you too :-)

Sherry

Sherry

Thanks, Sherry. I'm not afraid of the shots. I know they give them
in your deltoid now and can cause a sore arm, big deal--so does a
tetanus shot which I just had today. I just want them! I know
they're expensive but I have insurance--I would think that would
partially cover it, at least. I should've just gone to the Emergency
Department. I work for a large hospital system and I started to go
there but saw a helicopter landing as I drove up so I figured I'd be
sitting in triage for hours and went to an Urgent Care instead. Maybe
I'll go in tomorrow and just tell them I want the shots, that I've
been bitten by a bunch of stray cats. Or maybe I'll be calmer
tomorrow and able to wait until Monday to talk to Public Health.

It seems simple enough to test the hamster but I suppose there's some
bureaucratic reason why the simple way wouldn't work.

wrote in message
...
On Mar 14, 9:23 pm, "22brix" wrote:

Hi Candace,

Unlurking a bit here. I am a microbiologist and I used to work in a Public
Health Lab--I used to do Rabies testing all the time. Rodents, including
hamsters, are considered to be a very low threat for Rabies and testing is
almost never recommended. I can't give you a precise percentage but I
would
say it's much less than 1 percent.

Is Ebony vaccinated? If he is, I don't think you really need to worry. The
determination to either test for rabies or to get treated is partly
dependent on the circumstances. If this were considered to be an
unprovoked
attack (if he had chased you down and bitten you) I would be a lot more
concerned. As it is, Ebony was protecting his prize and it would be
considered a provoked attack. No one can say that you have a zero risk of
getting rabies but I think it is extremely low. Rabies is found primarily
in the brain/nervous tissue and in the saliva, not so much in the blood.
Unfortunately, testing the kitty means the cat would have to be euthanized
(or possibly quarantined for 10 days or so). Post exposure treatment is
not
as bad as it used to be but still isn't much fun and is very expensive.

Even if you live in an urban area, there can still be animals that are
rabid--I would be much more concerned if you'd been bitten by a bat. Bats
are notorious for being rabid--almost all of the cases of human deaths
from
rabies in the US are traced to bat rabies.

I am much more concerned about you getting a very very nasty infection
from
Ebony's bite. Cat bites can cause hideous infections and can be very
difficult to treat, especially if it is a deep bite.

If I were you, I would try not too stress too much, call your Public
Health
Department and see what they have to say. And, get that bite treated!!
Maybe the Doc can give you an antibiotic that isn't so hard on your
tummy!!

All the best,

Bonnie

PS Here's a link to CDC. It has some good info.

http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure/types.html

Thank you, Bonnie. Unfortunately, Ebony is not vaccinated. I don't see
why he should have to be quarantined or euthanized and tested when I
have the hamster body. IF Ebony were tested now, he'd be negative,
too. I don't know why I can't just have the shots for peace of mind.
I handle stray cats a lot so it wouldn't be for naught. I'm worried
the hamster might have been bitten by a bat or something.

I guess I just won't have peace of mind unless I can have the shots
and I probably can't get them since no one cares.

Thank you, I'll talk to Public Health Monday.

Candace

I certainly would not want to have rabies shots unless the hamster is tested
and found to have rabies. From what I understand, those rabies shots are
*brutal,* and there is a series (not just one). And what about Ebony? I
know he's a former feral, but is he indoor-only now? And for how long? If
not, he should be quarantined (by you) and carefully monitored to make sure
he has not come into contact with another potential source of rabies.

Given what you have said, I would guess (purely an *untrained* guess) that
the chances of rabies are extremely remote, but I still think it would be
worth following through with Public Health and/or animal control, and
request--no, demand--that the hamster be tested. But know this: Ebony is a
bigger risk *if* he has recently been outdoors and unvaccinated.

MaryL

wrote in message
...
On Mar 14, 9:30 pm, Sherry wrote:
On Mar 14, 8:50 pm, Candace wrote:



This morning, I noticed Ebony, one of the sweet outdoor cats playing
with something in the yard. I went out and he had some sort of rodent
(I'm not a rodent expert) that he was batting around that wasn't
dead. My natural instinct was to get him away from it so I grabbed
him and tossed him into a small room briefly--big mistake as his
formerly feral ways returned and he bit the beejesus out of my thumb.

Okay, I'm a psycho worrier. I called one of my vet practices (one was
distinctly unhelpful and it's the one I've been using the most lately,
makes me reconsider). I got the wounded but living rodent into a
coffee can without touching it at all. They identified it as a
hamster that seemed neglected--either by having been out in the wild
for awhile for just a bad home--as it's claws were long.

I got myself into a tizzy worrying that this critter might have been
exposed to rabies, Ebony chewed on the hamster, and then a few minutes
later Ebony passed it onto me. I went to an Urgent Care place and got
a tetanus shot and some abx, whihc I'm not going to take as nothing
appears infected at this time. The doctor really didn't have answers
to any of my questions. He thought I had maybe a 1 percent chance of
contracting rabies. I asked--wouldn't there be an incubation period
in Ebony before he could pass it to me and the doctor said--well, what
if he had hamster blood on his teeth when he bit you (he also
scratched me several places).

So I've been reading up, of course. Hamsters rarely get rabies but
who knows how long this hamster has been outside.

The hamster, btw, was euthanized and its body is in the freezer at the
vet's. The doctor told me to call the Dept. of Public Health on
Monday and ask them what they think and since the body is available it
cold be tested if they would do that.

So, I know none of you probably know the answer either but do you
think I need the shots and I wonder if they would give them to me or
if they're just going to say--oh, no big deal, don't worry--and refuse
to administer them to me. Rabies sounds like a horrible way to go and
it's always fatal if you get it.

Keep in mind, I have absolutely *no* concerns about Ebony having
rabies prior to this event. He took off horrified. I'm sure he'll
come back to eat at some point but he was traumatized. I should have
just let him eat and kill the thing, at least I wouldn't be worrying
about myself now.

I don't know if rabies is around in wild animals here. I live in a
very urban area of Phoenix. There are no large wild animals--no
coyotes, foxes around here--but I've seen bats flying around
sometimes, we have gophers, moles, and roof rats are in the area. How
do I know the hamster didn't have a run-in with one of those animals?
And no one is going to know for sure, I suppose. Maybe the Public
Health Dept. will know if there has been any rabies in my neighborhood
among wild animals or maybe they'll be totally unhelpful, as most
govt. agencies are.

Tony is out of town, I had planned on a nice, quiet weekend, but now
I'm all stressed! Any words of wisdom?

Candace

p.s. I do feel sorry for the poor hamster, too, but I'm mostly
concerned about ME!

Candace, I'm really surprised at the lax attitute you experienced from
the health professionals.
We had the dept. of health calling our house, because the docs were
required to call them
any animal bite. IMO your case should have been taken more seriously.
Maybe it's because hamsters aren't prone to rabies. But you probably
have been exposed to
the blood/saliva of the animal through the cat bite, and rabies is NOT
something to play
around with.
Another thing is, I've been treated for cat bites several times.
They've used doxycycline, penicillin, and even
once Cipro. I've never had Augmentin for a puncture bite. It's hard to
believe that's the only antibiotic that'll
work! Tell them the reaction you have to the drug -- surely they can
prescribe a different one that will also
be effective.
I think the chances you've been exposed to rabies are practically nil,
but on the OFF CHANCE the animal
tests positive, one thing I can tell you is that the vaccination
series is nothing as bad as it used to be.
Please keep us posted. Sending best wishes that the hamster is NOT
positive.
As far as "words of wisdom" (don't make me laugh!)....watch the bite
to be sure it doesn't get too red, or too swollen,
or a red streak doesn't start running up your arm. If it does, hit
your ER or Urgent Care clinic. They can administer
IV antibiotics.
Good luck! Let me know. I'm gonna be worried about you too :-)

Sherry

Sherry

Thanks, Sherry. I'm not afraid of the shots. I know they give them
in your deltoid now and can cause a sore arm, big deal--so does a
tetanus shot which I just had today. I just want them! I know
they're expensive but I have insurance--I would think that would
partially cover it, at least. I should've just gone to the Emergency
Department. I work for a large hospital system and I started to go
there but saw a helicopter landing as I drove up so I figured I'd be
sitting in triage for hours and went to an Urgent Care instead. Maybe
I'll go in tomorrow and just tell them I want the shots, that I've
been bitten by a bunch of stray cats. Or maybe I'll be calmer
tomorrow and able to wait until Monday to talk to Public Health.

It seems simple enough to test the hamster but I suppose there's some
bureaucratic reason why the simple way wouldn't work.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Candace, why do this to yourself if it isn't needed? Insist on having the
hamster tested, and monitor Ebony closely. Do not let him outside during
that period (preferably, always kept indoors but especially during the
monitoring period).
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dru...ation/DR602235

Your risk of infection from the cat bite, on the other hand, is considerably
higher. Even though you have been bitten previously with no problems, cat
bites can cause really nasty infections. There should be other medication
you can take (and other doctors), so watch closely for any signs of
infection.

MaryL

wrote in message
...
On Mar 14, 9:23 pm, "22brix" wrote:

Hi Candace,

Unlurking a bit here. I am a microbiologist and I used to work in a Public
Health Lab--I used to do Rabies testing all the time. Rodents, including
hamsters, are considered to be a very low threat for Rabies and testing is
almost never recommended. I can't give you a precise percentage but I
would
say it's much less than 1 percent.

Is Ebony vaccinated? If he is, I don't think you really need to worry. The
determination to either test for rabies or to get treated is partly
dependent on the circumstances. If this were considered to be an
unprovoked
attack (if he had chased you down and bitten you) I would be a lot more
concerned. As it is, Ebony was protecting his prize and it would be
considered a provoked attack. No one can say that you have a zero risk of
getting rabies but I think it is extremely low. Rabies is found primarily
in the brain/nervous tissue and in the saliva, not so much in the blood.
Unfortunately, testing the kitty means the cat would have to be euthanized
(or possibly quarantined for 10 days or so). Post exposure treatment is
not
as bad as it used to be but still isn't much fun and is very expensive.

Even if you live in an urban area, there can still be animals that are
rabid--I would be much more concerned if you'd been bitten by a bat. Bats
are notorious for being rabid--almost all of the cases of human deaths
from
rabies in the US are traced to bat rabies.

I am much more concerned about you getting a very very nasty infection
from
Ebony's bite. Cat bites can cause hideous infections and can be very
difficult to treat, especially if it is a deep bite.

If I were you, I would try not too stress too much, call your Public
Health
Department and see what they have to say. And, get that bite treated!!
Maybe the Doc can give you an antibiotic that isn't so hard on your
tummy!!

All the best,

Bonnie

PS Here's a link to CDC. It has some good info.

http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure/types.html

Thank you, Bonnie. Unfortunately, Ebony is not vaccinated. I don't see
why he should have to be quarantined or euthanized and tested when I
have the hamster body. IF Ebony were tested now, he'd be negative,
too. I don't know why I can't just have the shots for peace of mind.
I handle stray cats a lot so it wouldn't be for naught. I'm worried
the hamster might have been bitten by a bat or something.

I guess I just won't have peace of mind unless I can have the shots
and I probably can't get them since no one cares.

Thank you, I'll talk to Public Health Monday.

Candace

I guess I didn't make myself very clear!! I don't think you need to worry
about the hamster carrying rabies.
Even if the hamster did have rabies, it's not likely it would be transmitted
through the blood (more likely transmitted through nervous tissue and
saliva). I'm not sure how beneficial testing the hamster would be. There is
a remote chance that Ebony could be rabid from a previous exposure--that
sounds extremely unlikely. The main reason for quarantining him is that HE
bit you (not the hamster) and is considered a higher risk animal than the
hamster is. By quarantining him, his behavior can be observed and if he
continues to act normal during the entire quarantine period he should be
fine (and by extension you would, too). I would rather quarantine than
euthanize!! Again, I think it is highly unlikely that either Ebony or the
hamster is rabid. I don't know what the regulations regarding quarantine
(and/or post exposure) are in Arizona--it might be different than in
California.


You should be able to insist on having the rabies shots--it is the only way
you will have complete peace of mind. Even if the Public Health department
didn't think it necessary I don't know why they wouldn't give them to you.
I think you might find the Public Health department will care!! That's
their job--to protect the health of the public. It may surprise some
people, but most of the public health people I know do care, a lot!!


I hope this helps!!

Bonnie

On Mar 14, 10:10*pm, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER
wrote:
wrote in message

...
On Mar 14, 9:30 pm, Sherry wrote:



On Mar 14, 8:50 pm, Candace wrote:

This morning, I noticed Ebony, one of the sweet outdoor cats playing
with something in the yard. I went out and he had some sort of rodent
(I'm not a rodent expert) that he was batting around that wasn't
dead. My natural instinct was to get him away from it so I grabbed
him and tossed him into a small room briefly--big mistake as his
formerly feral ways returned and he bit the beejesus out of my thumb.

Okay, I'm a psycho worrier. I called one of my vet practices (one was
distinctly unhelpful and it's the one I've been using the most lately,
makes me reconsider). I got the wounded but living rodent into a
coffee can without touching it at all. They identified it as a
hamster that seemed neglected--either by having been out in the wild
for awhile for just a bad home--as it's claws were long.

I got myself into a tizzy worrying that this critter might have been
exposed to rabies, Ebony chewed on the hamster, and then a few minutes
later Ebony passed it onto me. I went to an Urgent Care place and got
a tetanus shot and some abx, whihc I'm not going to take as nothing
appears infected at this time. The doctor really didn't have answers
to any of my questions. He thought I had maybe a 1 percent chance of
contracting rabies. I asked--wouldn't there be an incubation period
in Ebony before he could pass it to me and the doctor said--well, what
if he had hamster blood on his teeth when he bit you (he also
scratched me several places).

So I've been reading up, of course. Hamsters rarely get rabies but
who knows how long this hamster has been outside.

The hamster, btw, was euthanized and its body is in the freezer at the
vet's. The doctor told me to call the Dept. of Public Health on
Monday and ask them what they think and since the body is available it
cold be tested if they would do that.

So, I know none of you probably know the answer either but do you
think I need the shots and I wonder if they would give them to me or
if they're just going to say--oh, no big deal, don't worry--and refuse
to administer them to me. Rabies sounds like a horrible way to go and
it's always fatal if you get it.

Keep in mind, I have absolutely *no* concerns about Ebony having
rabies prior to this event. He took off horrified. I'm sure he'll
come back to eat at some point but he was traumatized. I should have
just let him eat and kill the thing, at least I wouldn't be worrying
about myself now.

I don't know if rabies is around in wild animals here. I live in a
very urban area of Phoenix. There are no large wild animals--no
coyotes, foxes around here--but I've seen bats flying around
sometimes, we have gophers, moles, and roof rats are in the area. How
do I know the hamster didn't have a run-in with one of those animals?
And no one is going to know for sure, I suppose. Maybe the Public
Health Dept. will know if there has been any rabies in my neighborhood
among wild animals or maybe they'll be totally unhelpful, as most
govt. agencies are.

Tony is out of town, I had planned on a nice, quiet weekend, but now
I'm all stressed! Any words of wisdom?

Candace

p.s. I do feel sorry for the poor hamster, too, but I'm mostly
concerned about ME!

Candace, I'm really surprised at the lax attitute you experienced from
the health professionals.
We had the dept. of health calling our house, because the docs were
required to call them
any animal bite. IMO your case should have been taken more seriously.
Maybe it's because hamsters aren't prone to rabies. But you probably
have been exposed to
the blood/saliva of the animal through the cat bite, and rabies is NOT
something to play
around with.
Another thing is, I've been treated for cat bites several times.
They've used doxycycline, penicillin, and even
once Cipro. I've never had Augmentin for a puncture bite. It's hard to
believe that's the only antibiotic that'll
work! Tell them the reaction you have to the drug -- surely they can
prescribe a different one that will also
be effective.
I think the chances you've been exposed to rabies are practically nil,
but on the OFF CHANCE the animal
tests positive, one thing I can tell you is that the vaccination
series is nothing as bad as it used to be.
Please keep us posted. Sending best wishes that the hamster is NOT
positive.
As far as "words of wisdom" (don't make me laugh!)....watch the bite
to be sure it doesn't get too red, or too swollen,
or a red streak doesn't start running up your arm. If it does, hit
your ER or Urgent Care clinic. They can administer
IV antibiotics.
Good luck! Let me know. I'm gonna be worried about you too :-)

Sherry

Sherry

Thanks, Sherry. *I'm not afraid of the shots. *I know they give them
in your deltoid now and can cause a sore arm, big deal--so does a
tetanus shot which I just had today. *I just want them! *I know
they're expensive but I have insurance--I would think that would
partially cover it, at least. *I should've just gone to the Emergency
Department. *I work for a large hospital system and I started to go
there but saw a helicopter landing as I drove up so I figured I'd be
sitting in triage for hours and went to an Urgent Care instead. *Maybe
I'll go in tomorrow and just tell them I want the shots, that I've
been bitten by a bunch of stray cats. *Or maybe I'll be calmer
tomorrow and able to wait until Monday to talk to Public Health.

It seems simple enough to test the hamster but I suppose there's some
bureaucratic reason why the simple way wouldn't work.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Candace, why do this to yourself if it isn't needed? *Insist on having the
hamster tested, and monitor Ebony closely. *Do not let him outside during
that period (preferably, always kept indoors but especially during the
monitoring period).http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dru...ation/DR602235

Your risk of infection from the cat bite, on the other hand, is considerably
higher. *Even though you have been bitten previously with no problems, cat
bites can cause really nasty infections. *There should be other medication
you can take (and other doctors), so watch closely for any signs of
infection.

MaryL

Ebony is an outdoor cat as are all the other 10 or so out there. He
can't come inside, he hasn't been tested for FeLv or anything.

On Mar 14, 10:22*pm, "22brix" wrote:
wrote in message

...
On Mar 14, 9:23 pm, "22brix" wrote:





Hi Candace,

Unlurking a bit here. I am a microbiologist and I used to work in a Public
Health Lab--I used to do Rabies testing all the time. Rodents, including
hamsters, are considered to be a very low threat for Rabies and testing is
almost never recommended. I can't give you a precise percentage but I
would
say it's much less than 1 percent.

Is Ebony vaccinated? If he is, I don't think you really need to worry. The
determination to either test for rabies or to get treated is partly
dependent on the circumstances. If this were considered to be an
unprovoked
attack (if he had chased you down and bitten you) I would be a lot more
concerned. As it is, Ebony was protecting his prize and it would be
considered a provoked attack. No one can say that you have a zero risk of
getting rabies but I think it is extremely low. Rabies is found primarily
in the brain/nervous tissue and in the saliva, not so much in the blood..
Unfortunately, testing the kitty means the cat would have to be euthanized
(or possibly quarantined for 10 days or so). Post exposure treatment is
not
as bad as it used to be but still isn't much fun and is very expensive.

Even if you live in an urban area, there can still be animals that are
rabid--I would be much more concerned if you'd been bitten by a bat. Bats
are notorious for being rabid--almost all of the cases of human deaths
from
rabies in the US are traced to bat rabies.

I am much more concerned about you getting a very very nasty infection
from
Ebony's bite. Cat bites can cause hideous infections and can be very
difficult to treat, especially if it is a deep bite.

If I were you, I would try not too stress too much, call your Public
Health
Department and see what they have to say. And, get that bite treated!!
Maybe the Doc can give you an antibiotic that isn't so hard on your
tummy!!

All the best,

Bonnie

PS Here's a link to CDC. It has some good info.

http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/exposure/types.html

Thank you, Bonnie. Unfortunately, Ebony is not vaccinated. I don't see
why he should have to be quarantined or euthanized and tested when I
have the hamster body. *IF Ebony were tested now, he'd be negative,
too. *I don't know why I can't just have the shots for peace of mind.
I handle stray cats a lot so it wouldn't be for naught. *I'm worried
the hamster might have been bitten by a bat or something.

I guess I just won't have peace of mind unless I can have the shots
and I probably can't get them since no one cares.

Thank you, I'll talk to Public Health Monday.

Candace

I guess I didn't make myself very clear!! I don't think you need to worry
about the hamster carrying rabies.
Even if the hamster did have rabies, it's not likely it would be transmitted
through the blood (more likely transmitted through nervous tissue and
saliva). *I'm not sure how beneficial testing the hamster would be. There is
a remote chance that Ebony could be rabid from a previous exposure--that
sounds extremely unlikely. *The main reason for quarantining him is that HE
bit you (not the hamster) and is considered a higher risk animal than the
hamster is. *By quarantining him, his behavior can be observed and if he
continues to act normal during the entire quarantine period he should be
fine (and by extension you would, too). *I would rather quarantine than
euthanize!! *Again, I think it is highly unlikely that either Ebony or the
hamster is rabid. *I don't know what the regulations regarding quarantine
(and/or post exposure) are in Arizona--it might be different than in
California.

You should be able to insist on having the rabies shots--it is the only way
you will have complete peace of mind. *Even if the Public Health department
didn't think it necessary I don't know why they wouldn't give them to you..
I think you might find the Public Health department will care!! *That's
their job--to protect the health of the public. *It may surprise some
people, but most of the public health people I know do care, a lot!!

I hope this helps!!

Bonnie

Thanks, Bonnie. If Ebony had just bit me for some other reason, no
hamster involved, I wouldn't even be concerned. We have umpteen stray
cats around and I've been bitten before when picking them up. I've
never seen a sick-looking one and I wouldn't even be thinking about
rabies. The hamster is the only reason I'm concerned...because I
don't know where he came from, how long he was out in the wild, what
other animal might have bitten him. We've had roof rats around here
in the past, I see bats at dusk sometimes. What if one of them nipped
the hamster recently?

I know--I sound insane, I tend to obsess once I'm upset about
something. Why wouldn't it be beneficial to test the hamster?

I hope I can get the shots!

Thanks.

wrote:

Thank you, Bonnie. Unfortunately, Ebony is not vaccinated. I don't see
why he should have to be quarantined or euthanized and tested when I
have the hamster body. IF Ebony were tested now, he'd be negative,
too. I don't know why I can't just have the shots for peace of mind.
I handle stray cats a lot so it wouldn't be for naught. I'm worried
the hamster might have been bitten by a bat or something.

I guess I just won't have peace of mind unless I can have the shots
and I probably can't get them since no one cares.

I don't understand why they're not testing the hamster. It seems like
the logical thing to do. Did you ask them to, and if so, what did they
say? Before you get shots, see if you can get them to do the test on
the hamster - that would be the easiest way to get peace of mind, I'd
think.

--
Joyce ^..^

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