MN DOG BITE LAWYERS RABIES SHOTS
Our top Minnesota attorneys represent people who were bitten or injured by a dog or cat. A dog bite injury can produce bad scars or nerve damage. However, another thing to be concerned about with a dog bite or cat bite is rabies.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals. It affects the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy leading to death. The virus is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. There are two forms of rabies: (1) Dumb rabies, in which an animal acts sick, does not eat and is lethargic. (2) Furious rabies, in which an animal shows aggressive and vicious behavior.
Over the past 100 years, there has been a substantial decrease in the number of human rabies cases. This is due to the availability of a vaccine, and vigilant surveillance by public health officials. However, getting rabies is still a risk after a dog or cat bite, and must be taken seriously. Our best dog bite lawyers have represented many people who had to get rabies shots. Usually, this is because it could not be determined for sure whether or not the dog that bit them had rabies. The shots are expensive and painful. Of course, the cost of the rabies shots should be paid by the animal’s owner.
SIGNS OF RABIES
Clinical signs of rabies vary depending on the species of animal affected and the strain of the virus. Most animals show behavioral changes or neurological signs. For example, cats often become aggressive. Dogs may show a variety of signs ranging from aggression to difficulty swallowing and paralysis. If a pet animal bites someone and you aren’t sure it has had its shots, it must be confined and observed for 10 days.
A domestic animal cannot transmit the rabies virus to humans or other animals until the virus is in its saliva. This occurs at the end of the incubation period. Once the disease has progressed to this stage in domestic animals, the animal will show clinical signs of rabies infection within 10 days. However, even with this precaution, doctors will recommend rabies shots to people bitten by a dog or cat in some circumstances. Our dog bite attorneys have had many clients who were required to get rabies shots after being bitten by a dog in Minnesota.
Humans exposed to a potentially rabid animal should contact their physician and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for advice. You should do this as soon as possible after exposure.
TESTING FOR RABIES AFTER DOG OR CAT BITE
A pet dog, cat, or ferret that bites a human must be confined and observed for 10 days or euthanized and tested for rabies. If the animal is vaccinated for rabies, it may be confined in the home or as directed by local authorities. A dog, cat, or ferret that is not currently vaccinated for rabies may be required to be confined at a secure location.
If the animal dies or shows signs suggestive of rabies during the ten days, it must be submitted for rabies testing. Stray dogs, cats, or ferrets that bite a human are particularly risky. They may be confined and observed for ten days or euthanized and submitted for testing after a five-day holding period. Euthanasia and rabies testing may be performed prior to the end of the five-day holding period if requested by the MN Department of Health.
Our top rated dog bite and cat bite lawyers have represented many people who had to have rabies vaccine shots after being bitten. It is not a pleasant experience. In addition, it can be surprisingly expensive.
Contact the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414 for questions or concerns regarding human exposure to a dog or cat with rabies.
DOG BITE COMPENSATION INJURY ATTORNEYS MN
If you, your child, or another family member have been bitten by a dog or cat, call us and speak with a lawyer. The initial consultation is free. Pam Rochlin and David Rochlin are MN dog bite attorneys with more than 25 years’ experience. We make sure that our clients are fully compensated after a dog bite or dog attack. In most cases, the dog owner has homeowners insurance that will pay for medical bills, including rabies shots. They will also pay additional compensation to the person bitten by a dog.
The dog bite does not have to occur on the owner’s property. Homeowners insurance provides compensation no matter where the dog bite occurred. Our top lawyers also handle cases where a dog injures a person by knocking them down or causing them to trip or fall. We have offices in Minneapolis, Edina, St. Louis Park and Woodbury where you can meet an attorney to discuss your dog bite case. Our lawyers also will come to your home to discuss your dog bite or injury case in St Paul, Chaska, and Forest Lake. Also, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Rogers, Albert Lea, Rochester, and other cities throughout Minnesota.