Animal Bites - Any Experiences?

[VikingRanch]

I had a very close call with a rattler in Rock Creek. Was tying up the boat in a hurry as night fell and a storm rolled in. Shuffled back under a big tamarisk to tie a side line to the trunk. Snake rattled and I jumped back. Hit my hand on the tamarisk and left what looked like two puncture marks. Got a flashlight on it to confirm it wasn’t a strike. Talked to a buddy the next week who has been struck, he promised me that adrenaline would not successfully mask venom, and I’d damn sure know if I got hit.

 

[John P Funk]

I'm going to go with MOUSE on that bite

Agree, based on the shape, looks like a mouse. I've not been bitten, at Powell, but have certainly been in proximity.

 

[Freebird]

Look like teeth marks to me. I’ve had spider bites, and none were elongated like these.

 

[JNeil]

As a physician who has treated many bites and stings, I would say that this looks like some type of a rodent bite which could definitely include a bat. I would strongly consider contacting your health department to discuss rabies vaccination and postexposure prophylaxis.

Edit. I just realized that this was posted over 3 weeks ago. Rabies postexposure prophylaxis may not be an option due to the timing.

 

[VikingRanch]

We had mice invade our boat last trip. It was a wet winter and spring, lots of rodents.

 

[Rainbowbridge]

As a physician who has treated many bites and stings, I would say that this looks like some type of a rodent bite which could definitely include a bat. I would strongly consider contacting your health department to discuss rabies vaccination and postexposure prophylaxis.

Edit. I just realized that this was posted over 3 weeks ago. Rabies postexposure prophylaxis may not be an option due to the timing.

JNeil, thanks for joining WW....and for your experience & expertise as a physician.

Of course your protocol is valid and folks who are bit should be checked out.......but In your experience do you find rabies often at our lake?

Pardon my Naïveté.

Thanks,
Russ

 

[JNeil]

JNeil, thanks for joining WW....and for your experience & expertise as a physician.

Of course your protocol is valid and folks who are bit should be checked out.......but In your experience do you find rabies often at our lake?

Pardon my Naïveté.

Thanks,
Russ

Rabies is very rare. I've never seen a case of rabies. Because rabies is most often fatal we often overtreat if there is any significant risk.