Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Don't get bit by a raccoon in Houston

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Places » Texas Donate to DU
 
cannabis_flower Donating Member (386 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-30-09 10:43 PM
Original message
Don't get bit by a raccoon in Houston
I had the unfortunate experience of being bitten by a raccoon in Houston last week. It was not a serious bite and I had a tetnus shot last yeare so let the people at the Last Concert Cafe where I was bitten know about it and went home and in the morning I called the City of Houston Animal Control. They told me to call the Texas Department of State Health Services. I talked to Gary Johnson there. He told me that they have not found rabies in raccoons in 30 years in Houston so it was unlikely that the raccoon was rabid.

However, I called my sister who works in the Victoria County Rabies Control and she was hysterical that I should get the shots. I did some more reading and called back and he said to call my doctor and but to have the doctor call him if I decided to get the shots. Well, he called the guy and was again told to not worry.

I called the CDC and they think I should get the shots. So I called back this morning at 8:30 and they have not called me back. It seems like I am getting the runaround.

The way I see it is that it might not be likely to be rabid but rabies is fatal. While the rabies prophalactic has side effects they don't usually include death. This has gotten me really upset. Last night I called around to the hospitals to see if any of them had the prophalactic, Methodist and St. Luke's say they don't carry it and Memorial Herman is out.

Finally, I am able to get the rabies prophylactic and the doctor is giving me the shots tomorrow.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
onestepforward Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Apr-30-09 11:48 PM
Response to Original message
1. I'm glad you'll be getting the shots
I remember a few years ago in Houston when someone was bitten by a bat and had to go to 5-6 different hospitals to find one that had the rabies shots. It makes no sense that it is so hard to find! I had a neighbor last year who got a bat in her house and her daughter touched it. She took her to Kelsey Sebold and they luckily had the rabies shots.

I hope all goes well for you!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cannabis_flower Donating Member (386 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-01-09 11:04 AM
Response to Reply #1
5. Well the thing that upset me so much...
was that I was told that because they hadn't had a case of rabies in raccoons in Houston in 30 years it probably wasn't necessary for me to get the shots, so I wasn't going to get them. I called my sister who works for Rabies Control in Victoria and she was pretty upset. She said "do you really want to be worried for 6 months - or according to the literature up to 2 years - that any little twinge or pain in my hand or other symptom might be rabies.

And then I heard that they have had cases as close as Wharton - that's only 54 miles away. And the incidence of serious side effects of the vaccine is less than .000001%.

Because of the advice of the Texas Department of Health Services I waited 6 days to call a doctor(Mon). Then he didn't give me an appointment for another 2 days(Wed), Thursday I went and got the vaccine and he's going to give it to me today. It says in the literature that even though the average incubation is 1 to 4 months that it can be as early as 7 to 14 days. I hope I'm not getting them too late - if the raccoon actually was rabid.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
onestepforward Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-01-09 01:38 PM
Response to Reply #5
11. I understand your frustration.
It was about a week or so until my neighbor's daughter got her shots. Her mom wasn't too worried (she is a nurse) and everything worked out fine in the end. :)

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Downwinder Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-01-09 02:17 AM
Response to Original message
2. Can't you just monitor the raccoon to see if it exhibits signs of rabies?? n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cannabis_flower Donating Member (386 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-01-09 11:05 AM
Response to Reply #2
6. They didn't catch the raccoon n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cannabis_flower Donating Member (386 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-01-09 11:06 AM
Response to Reply #6
7. Also...
raccoons can carry rabies for years before getting sick and can even get rabies and recover.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
WolverineDG Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-01-09 07:42 AM
Response to Original message
3. Better to be safe than sorry
:hug:

dg
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
sonias Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-01-09 08:28 AM
Response to Original message
4. Sorry to hear you have to go through this
I hope all goes well for you.

I agree with you, better to be safe.

:hug:

Sonia
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
johncoby2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-01-09 11:23 AM
Response to Original message
8. OK. I am curious
How did you get bit?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cannabis_flower Donating Member (386 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-01-09 11:30 AM
Response to Reply #8
9. No fault of my own...
I went to Last Concert Cafe to see a friend of mine play. They have an outside patio and ate soup, guacamole and chips and salsa. During a break in the first set we were all sitting there talking and I had my hand down by my side and a raccoon came out of nowhere and bit my hand.

I wasn't trying to feed it, pet it or catch it. The epidemiologist said that that happens in Houston several times a month. Raccoons are all over the place.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Why Syzygy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-03-09 12:10 AM
Response to Reply #9
14. Sounds like
maybe he was expecting food. He may be used to customers feeding him? If so, that should be discouraged at the establishment.

Best wishes as you go through your treatments. Glad you're hanging out at Denny's and taking care of yourself.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Baby Snooks Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-03-09 03:00 AM
Response to Reply #9
15. That doesn't sound normal...
I had a friend who adopted a family of raccoons, we lived in an apartment complex that backed up to Buffalo Bayou and there were woods all around us, and while they would eat out of her hand, they shied away from me for the longest time until they got used to me being around when she fed them. Even then they would not take food from me.

Just because they haven't found a raccoon with rabies doesn't mean there aren't any. Given the number of rabid bats they've found in the Houston area the past couple of years, it is reasonable to assume there are also rabid animals as a result. A raccoon just biting you for no reason doesn't sound normal. You were smart to proceed with the immunization.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cannabis_flower Donating Member (386 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-01-09 11:30 AM
Original message
dupe
Edited on Fri May-01-09 11:31 AM by cannabis_flower
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cannabis_flower Donating Member (386 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-01-09 11:30 AM
Response to Reply #8
10. dupe
Edited on Fri May-01-09 11:31 AM by cannabis_flower
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
AllenVanAllen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri May-01-09 02:09 PM
Response to Original message
12. May everything go well with your treatment
and may your mind be at peace! It's better to er on the side of caution when dealing with situations such as yours.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cannabis_flower Donating Member (386 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat May-02-09 11:30 PM
Response to Reply #12
13. I got my first shot yesterday...
or I should say, my first set of shots. From Wikipedia:

In the United States, patients receive one dose of human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) and five doses of rabies vaccine over a twenty-eight day period. One-half the dose of the immunoglobulin is injected in the region of the bite, if possible, with the remainder injected intramuscularly away from the bite. This is much less painful compared with administering the immunoglobulin through the abdominal wall with a large needle, as was done in the past. The first dose of rabies vaccine is given as soon as possible after exposure, with additional doses on days three, seven, fourteen, and twenty-eight after the first. Patients that have previously received pre-exposure vaccination do not receive the immunoglobulin, only the post-exposure vaccinations on day 0 and 3.

In instances when post-exposure prophylaxis is administered as a precaution (e.g. a person wakes up and finds a bat in the room they were sleeping in), it is now mainly given in the gluteal region and deltoid (upper arm). The number of shots delivered to the gluteal area on the first day is determined by weight, and it is not uncommon to require three of these shots. Subsequent shots of the immunoglobulin (to build longer term immunity to rabies) are given to the arm. Recipients of the vaccine have reported that these shots are no more painful than normal shots (such as tetanus boosters)


First they gave me the vaccine because they have to have you wait 30 minutes before you leave. Then I got 1.5cc of the immunoglobulin in my hand - this was the most painful and my left hand is still swollen. I can type ok but I can barely write with a pen. The ones in my upper arm were a piece of cake but there were 4 of them.

Now for the fun part, seeing if there are any side effects. I'm mostly just feeling tired and achy, sort of like the flu. I am at Denny's hanging out because I live by myself and I figure if I had any serious side effects I'd be better off at Denny's where someone could call an ambulance if I passed out or had paralysis. When I am ready to go to sleep then I'll go home as long as I feel ok.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
sonias Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-03-09 11:38 AM
Response to Reply #13
17. Thanks for the update - hang in there
This does not sound pleasant at all.

I would agree with the Baby Snooks above that a raccoon biting you is not "normal" behavior. So it was really a good idea that you started the shots. That coon may be crazy.

Good health to you and a speedy recovery.

Sonia
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
onestepforward Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-03-09 01:02 PM
Response to Reply #13
19. I hope you are feeling better today
and got a good night's sleep. This too, will pass. Take good care of yourself and let us know how you are doing :)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
AllenVanAllen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-03-09 03:42 PM
Response to Reply #13
20. I hope you are feeling better today
Keep us updated on how things go for you.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cannabis_flower Donating Member (386 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue May-05-09 10:46 PM
Response to Reply #20
22. Well, I was...
but I got my second shot on Monday. Was almost over the effects of the first shot and then I have to take another. Just getting over the first. Felt really tired and achy on Saturday and Sunday and then feeling a little better on Monday and get my next shot. I could barely sleep on Monday night even though I was achy, also a little feverish maybe, or maybe more like just feeling hot without actually having a fever. Thank goodness we are in training and work ended a little early today. Went home and slept for about 2 hours and felt quite a bit better.

On the schedule, next shot Friday. Hopefully, Wednesday I will feel better. I am feeling sleepy and will probably get to bed before midnight tonight. Have to be at work at 8:30am so that will be fine.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
AllenVanAllen Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-06-09 01:28 AM
Response to Reply #22
23. Try to take it easy if you can
and hopefully your system will handle the last round much better.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
luvspeas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed May-06-09 09:21 AM
Response to Reply #22
24. You poor sweetheart....
I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I'm sure people have been feeding that bugger. People should not do that (for reasons that are obvious to you). I used to live in Houston in the Heights and we had all kinds of critters in our yard and a gigantic old tree in the backyard. One night I parked in front of the house, and was walking to the front door when 5 (count em) 5 raccoons come charging up the alley toward me. They are big and they are scary. I was terrified. Turned out they were just making their nightly rounds and I just happen to be nearby. They passed by we without any acknowledgment. I was glad.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Paladin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-03-09 08:57 AM
Response to Original message
16. Whoever Told You Not To Worry Needs To Lose Their Job, Immediately.

All warm-blooded mammals are capable of carrying and transmitting rabies. The fact that there haven't been any raccoon cases in 30 years in Houston (something I seriously doubt) has absolutely nothing to do with it.

And there is no excuse whatsoever for your not being able to get immediate access to rabies treatment. Texas has a long history of dealing with the disease, and the shots ought to be readily available.

Jeez, all this pisses me off. I had a close family relative who had a major role in rabies prevention in Texas. You sure as hell never had a problem getting those shots on his watch, much less state employees telling you not to worry about it.

Best of luck to you. Take heart, rabies transmittal is pretty rare......

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Baby Snooks Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-03-09 11:53 AM
Response to Reply #16
18. Except with bats...
Anyone who finds a bat in their home and is unable to trap it to have it tested should assume it has rabies and assume they have been exposed. Apparently they nip more than nibble and sometimes they nip at your head and you are unware that they have although with bats any contact can prove fatal with regard to rabies.

Animal transmission is rare. But does occur. And no one should take a chance. And that includes with our pets. If you have a cat or a dog that is primarily an outside pet, particularly at night, make sure it gets its annual vaccination. A lot of people assume if they've had their pet vaccinated over a period of time they don't need to bother. They do.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Paladin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun May-03-09 03:43 PM
Response to Reply #18
21. I'm Amazed About How Many People Think Bats Are Benign Creatures.

I find them fascinating, like a lot of people do. But you have to be out of your mind to come in close contact with them under any circumstances which you can control.....
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Thu Oct 31st 2024, 06:02 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Places » Texas Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC