| Animal bites can be very frightening, and someone | | | | Rabies is a virus that can infect both animals and |
| who receives an animal bite may be forever scarred, | | | | people. It causes encephalopathy, which is |
| both physically and mentally. Although the event itself | | | | inflammation of the lining around the brain that can |
| is scary, one real thing that people must worry | | | | even make the brain itself swell. This normally proves |
| about, especially with wild animal bites, is the | | | | to be fatal in animals and humans if the person is |
| transmission of the rabies virus. Rabies is a brain | | | | infected without knowing it. |
| illness that causes death when not caught and | | | | With rabies, knowledge is power. For humans, rabies |
| treated immediately. | | | | almost always causes death. However, if a person is |
| Both wild and domestic animals have been known to | | | | bitten by an animal and goes to the doctor right |
| leave their marks on people. Even beloved pets can | | | | away, they can be given rabies shots that will usually |
| cause an accident. For example, your dog might love | | | | rid them of the virus. Therefore, it can be a good |
| you and serve as your protector, but certain things | | | | idea to capture an animal that bites you so that you |
| can trigger a dog to bite its master. This includes | | | | can get it tested to see if it's a carrier of the rabies |
| extreme fright, as well as possessiveness and even | | | | virus. |
| playfulness. Your dog may not mean to hurt you, but | | | | For your pets, there are several ways that you can |
| its teeth can sink deep into your skin, possibly | | | | protect them-and also yourself-from catching the |
| breaking into a major blood vessel and causing nerve | | | | rabies virus. First, keep them secured in your yard. |
| damage as well. | | | | Pets who wander can be bitten by a rabid animal and |
| While you may not usually expect a domestic pet to | | | | given rabies. Next, veterinarians offer rabies |
| bite, you should always be careful around wild animals. | | | | vaccinations, and you can keep your pet immunized |
| Remember, as terrifying as a bat in your house can | | | | against the disease. Lastly, you should consider |
| be, they are also incredibly afraid of you as well. | | | | securing your pet indoors at night and during other |
| Therefore, when you are trying to get the bat out | | | | times when the nocturnal, wild animals roam. |
| of your house, it may bite you in self-defense. This is | | | | If you or someone you know has been bitten by an |
| alarming because bats tend to be the most common | | | | animal, it may count as a personal injury. For more |
| carriers of rabies who pass along the virus to | | | | information on domestic animal bites and other |
| humans. Other typical wild animals with rabies are | | | | personal injury issues, check out Vic Feazell, the |
| foxes, raccoons, and skunks. Domestic animals with | | | | Austin personal injury law expert. |
| rabies are usually cats, cattle, and dogs. | | | | |