Rabies: The Other Risk of a Dog Bite Injury

When a person is the victim of an attack by a canine, wounds from the animal’s teeth aren’t the only dog bite injury that should be a concern. There’s also a chance the victim may contract an infectious disease.

Rabies is one of the most deadly diseases that can be passed from a dog to a human through a bite. It is a viral disease that can cause inflammation of the brain. Rabies is spread through contact with body fluids—especially saliva—and has an incubation period that ranges from one to three months after exposure.

Symptoms of rabies may include:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Insomnia
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Hallucinations
• Hypersalivation (excess saliva)
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Hydrophobia (fear of water)
• Paralysis

If left untreated, rabies infections can kill victims. The Missouri Department of Health reports there have been 14 cases of rabies reported so far this year. Luckily, there is a cure for the disease; however, the infected patient must undergo a series of 14 injections to eradicate the disease from their body.

To help stop the spread of the disease, experts stated in a report released by KSPR News that vaccinating your animal against rabies is the best preventative option. Typically, there are several shot clinics that offer free and reduced vaccinations each year. Veterinarians also state it’s important to keep domesticated animals out of contact with wild animals who may carry the rabies virus.

At Cofman Townsley Injury Lawyers, our St. Louis personal injury attorneys are aware of the harm a disease such a rabies can cause, and we are hopeful this information will help keep you, your loved ones, and your pets free from the disease.