whensomever
02-09-13, 01:27
So last night we forgot to close the glass door and the raccoons managed to open the screen door and get inside. I came upstairs when I heard a noise and managed to scare two of them outside... I was watching them run away when one came from behind me and squeezed out the door next to my leg. Its claws came into contact with my foot and I got four little red scratches which were gone in the morning (this morning); they were very superficial and didn't bleed.
I've been googling and have read conflicting things... some websites (including my province's) say that a scratch alone doesn't constitute enough reason to get a vaccine, unless you have some reason to believe that there was fresh saliva on their claws or if they licked your wound.
Other websites (including the World Health Organization) say that ANY abrasion or scratch EVEN if it doesn't bleed should be treated with a vaccine, because animals like raccoons will often lick their paws.
Apparently raccoon rabies (one particular strain, the main one that raccoons carry, though they can carry others) has been eradicated in my province, but they are still considered "high risk" animals according to local Animal Control.
I called the TeleHealth number in my province to speak to a Registered Nurse and she told me that according to whatever her guidelines are, it should be fine and I don't need a vaccine.
I don't know who to believe :( and I haven't been able to think about anything else all day.
I've been googling and have read conflicting things... some websites (including my province's) say that a scratch alone doesn't constitute enough reason to get a vaccine, unless you have some reason to believe that there was fresh saliva on their claws or if they licked your wound.
Other websites (including the World Health Organization) say that ANY abrasion or scratch EVEN if it doesn't bleed should be treated with a vaccine, because animals like raccoons will often lick their paws.
Apparently raccoon rabies (one particular strain, the main one that raccoons carry, though they can carry others) has been eradicated in my province, but they are still considered "high risk" animals according to local Animal Control.
I called the TeleHealth number in my province to speak to a Registered Nurse and she told me that according to whatever her guidelines are, it should be fine and I don't need a vaccine.
I don't know who to believe :( and I haven't been able to think about anything else all day.