Tetanus shot?

[rz]

I guess it's different with cats. sometimes when we play rough with our cats, they will nip us on the hand, but never hard.

[martin]

Tetanus? Don't you mean rabies?

Tetanus isn't likely to be transmitted by dogs; not one if it's common vectors.

[Stephanie]

nips do not equal bites.

Nips do not generally draw blood. Bites do. Nips are warnings. Bites mean business.

How exactly was this an accidental bite? The only accidental (and very painful) bite I've had was when I broke up our two dogs from fighting. One bit me with all her might, thinking that she had a hold of the dog, not me. Same thing happened to my boyfriend a couple weeks later.

[Maddog]

The latest recommedations for tetanus shots seem to indicate that a much longer interval than every 10 years is adequate. Tetanus from a dog bite would be extremely unusual. Check the CDC for more.

[DCrunch]

I cut my finger with a garden branch cutter and was concerned about tetanus. I talked with my doctor and he said if I had been cut by a rusty nail in a pig farm (pig poop on the nail), then maybe a tetanus shot was in order. Do dogs have mouths as germy as cats? Was bitten by my cat while trying to give her a bath. The bite swelled up and I went to the doctor. He prescirbed a ten day supply of anti-biotics. He said if I had let it go for too long it could be very bad. Is the bite swollen?

[Fred_Also]

[quote kap]Accidentally got bitten on the finger by one of the dogs (they both have their annual vaccinations), should I get a Tetanus shot?
I had a friend with the same problem. He went by the Dr.s and the 1st thing they wanted to do was quarantine the dog. He hadn't given his name yet so he left with them still trying to get his name and address.

Anyway be careful with all the details you release.

You did get scratched by a nail sticking out of the wall in the garage, didn't you?


Fred Also

[kap]

[quote Stephanie]nips do not equal bites.

Nips do not generally draw blood. Bites do. Nips are warnings. Bites mean business.

How exactly was this an accidental bite? The only accidental (and very painful) bite I've had was when I broke up our two dogs from fighting. One bit me with all her might, thinking that she had a hold of the dog, not me. Same thing happened to my boyfriend a couple weeks later.
Ah, you GOT me there! I tried to break up a fight between a 7 year old 12 lbs terrier mutt and a two year old 24 lbs border collie mixed. The former has been trying to show who is the alpha dog to the latter. They are both 'respectful' of me ... I am the ultimate alpha. The BC always runs off not wanting to fight until the terrier keeps going at him. Keep in mind they don't fight all the time. How do I know? Because I have left them alone at most 3 hours at a time and no blood shed in my absence. My next door neighbor, who own two dogs as well, would have reported it. Yes, I do give them equal time. Following the vet's advice, I always cater to the terrier first because he's been in our house hold for three years while the other guy is only a month.

My finger got punctured with two holes and bled. I put peroxide immediately afterwards. Hopefully, it will not turn into something worse.

[Stephanie]

[quote kap]My finger got punctured with two holes and bled. I put peroxide immediately afterwards. Hopefully, it will not turn into something worse.
I think you'll survive. Dog bites usually aren't nearly as bad/dirty as cat bites. BF's bite sounds similar to yours. His was deep and looked bad, but it healed up just fine.

Mine was on my arm - I was wearing a thick robe at the time, so the dog never actually drew blood. It ended up looking like a vampire had tried to get me - two puncture-like marks that were more like blood blisters. I ended up with a really large, gross bruise that was 3" in diameter. Hurt like hell but healed up almost completely within 2 weeks. The faux-puncture marks ended up scabbing over and scarring. Although they never broke the skin, they were DEEP wounds.

[Wags]

I got bit by a large pit bull a few years ago. I was walking up to ring the bell and didn't realize that the door was open. Dog came charging out and I back pedaled. He got me just below the knee, tore through my pants and some skin but luckily didn't get a good grip on me. That would have been really nasty. Anyhow, I called animal control and they came and picked up the dog and told me to check in to the ER to be safe. The ER doc insisted on a tetanus shot since I couldn't remember the last time I had had one. A couple weeks later the animal control folks called me to tell me I was in the clear for rabies, but since the neighbors had already complained several times about the dog's aggressiveness they put it down. Felt a little bad for the dog. Probably should have put the owner down instead.

[kap]

I have warned not to break up a dog fight because I might end up to be the one who'd get hurt; not the dogs. I just instinctively reacted. I got smacked real hard on the head with a broom handle for 'interfering' a fight between my cousin and a neighbor!

[quote Wags] Felt a little bad for the dog. Probably should have put the owner down instead.
I'd say!