What You Must Do If You're Bit by a Wildlife Animal

Getting bit by a wildlife animal such as a raccoon, dog, or even bat can be scary. Very rarely does the bite itself cause much damage to the receiver. Instead the issue here is rabies, or any other infection. Knowing what to do will prepare you for potential encounters with violent/infected wildlife animals, and help you stay calm to take correct action.

What is Rabies?


Rabies is a viral disease that affects the brain. It kills over fifty thousand people per year. Symptoms appear about 8 hours after getting bit, and humans usually die within a couple hours of symptoms beginning to appear. Lots of people in the USA and Canada will already be vaccinated from rabies, but you should still take corrective action in case you do get bit.

Raccoons especially tend to carry and transmit rabies. They are considered a "rabies vector species," meaning they are a particularly high-risk animals for spreading the disease. If you see a raccoon with discharge at the mouth, acting not-alert/dazed, or is staggering around, or acting in any weird way, you should call a wildlife expert immediately to handle the situation. Do NOT attempt to handle a rabid animal yourself- let the experts do it.

 

Raccoons & Rabies


Any animal can technically carry and transmit rabies. Raccoons are unfortunately one of the most likely. Some raccoons, if they feel threatened, may randomly bite people. This behavior is rare but it nonetheless happens often. Most of the time raccoons will run away and stay away, but some raccoons just act differently.

If you're not doing something stupid (ie. aggravating wildlife animals or attacking them) it is very rare you will get bit. In some cases though, people have been walking down the street and a raccoon bit them from under a bench. Don't live in fear- these situations are very rare statistically, don't do stupid things to wildlife animals and you'll most likely be fine.

Regardless if you see a wildlife animal acting strange or aggressive, call an expert immediately so s/he can prevent damage before it happens.

 

 

What To Do If You Get Bit


Getting bit by a wildlife animal can be scary. Remain calm and call 911 immediately. Let them know you were bitten by a wildlife animal, and need to get treated somewhere. The dispatcher will get a wildlife expert out there to handle the animal, and make sure you find your way to safety.

Usually what happens, even if you've been vaccinated, is you are taken to a vaccination center or emergency room. You will be given a tetanus shot as well as a rabies vaccination. There are several shots and they will be painful unfortunately, but it beats trying to tough out rabies. Only a few humans have been known to survive the disease rabies, so if you've been bit, go to the ER no matter what. Even if the wildlife animal wasn't displaying rabid signs, you should get treated. Sometimes rabies can be fresh in an animal's blood and not display symptoms, yet still be transmitted to you.

As long as you don't wait until symptoms appear and act quickly to get a vaccination, you will be fine. You may have a slight headache from all of the shots, and you will have to return for a couple more vaccination shots just in case, but you will recover fully.

 

 

Never Risk It


After symptoms of rabies begin appearing, death follows within 1-3 hours. This is not a statistic to play around with. If you or someone has been bit, get to the ER or a vaccination center immediately! It is very unlikely that the wildlife animal has rabies, but if it does it is very likely you will not survive without medication. Get treated, stay safe.

 

We hope you enjoyed this read and can find some value in it. Remember that wildlife "attacks" or "getting bitten" is rare, and if it ever happens you should dial 911 immediately.
-Wildlife X Team International

 

 

 

 

Submit a Comment

* Required Field
Offering
  • Pest X Team Logo
  • Junk X Team Logo
  • X Team Services Logo
  • X Team Bird Control Logo
  • Gutter X Team Logo
  • Mosquito X Team Logo
As Featured on These Networks & Affiliates
  • Apple News Logo
  • Fox Logo
Affiliations:
  • Elite Service Logo
  • National Pest Management Association Logo
  • NWCOA Logo
  • If you have raccoons in your attic, garage, or other areas of your home, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today! Wildlife X Team are experts in raccoon removal and exclusion services.
  • Squirrel problems are rampant nationally. Squirrels can cause extensive damage in and around homes, including soiling floors and walls. Squirrels don't stand a chance against Wildlife X Team®'s trained professional staff.
  • Rodent problems are common for homeowners, but Wildlife X Team® can help you prevent rodents from getting in your walls or your attic. Keep rodents out of your home by calling today!
  • Removing and relocating bats is best left to professionals, as bats will bite and scratch if threatened. If you see signs of bats on your property or want to know how to get rid of bats from your attic and chimney, please call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007.
  • Although armadillos have no reason to get into houses, there is a lot of damage armadillos can cause. Their diet consists mostly of grubs and insects, but when they burrow, it can affect the very structure of buildings. Call Wildlife X Team® today!
  • Whether you are facing a snake infestation on your property or just notice a single snake, call (817) 431-3007 at Wildlife X Team® today. Most snakes are harmless, some are venomous, and we can remove all kinds of snakes safely and quickly.
  • Birds can add a lot of enjoyment to the outdoor experience, but sometimes they cause trouble. If you're having an issue with problem birds like pigeons, starlings, or sparrows, give Wildlife X Team® a call at (817) 431-3007.
  • At Wildlife X Team®, we offer worry-free opossum removal and trapping. We can also repair any opossum damage.
  • Infamous for their defense mechanism, skunks are smelly creatures. This unique critter releases a scent to ward off predators and stay safe, and it smells offensive and can be dangerous.
  • Coyotes, a relative of the canine, are known for terrorizing livestock, and even household pets. Coyotes are often active at night, and homeowners often report the howling cries of these medium-sized creatures.
  • Badgers are notorious for having a bite that rivals their bark — despite their less-than-formidable size! Badgers have been known to fight animals as large as a bear!
  • Beaver damage is primarily to landscapes like riverbeds and lakesides. If you discover beaver damage in your property, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 to help relocate beavers and repair any damages caused by these flat-tailed critters.
  • Nocturnal creatures, bobcats will take down any prey necessary, especially livestock. Bobcats are territorial and will often return to the property they have claimed as their own, especially if there is a steady food source.
  • Chipmunks can be annoying and clever creatures, but they're no match for Wildlife X Team®. We offer chipmunk removal, and chipmunk damage repair services, plus we know how to keep chipmunks from coming back!
  • Fox landscape damage and feeding behaviors can affect homeowners' safety, so it's important to not approach a fox if you see one in the wild or on your property. Wildlife X Team® offers fox removal, fox trapping, and fox prevention. Call today!
  • Lizards, similar in appearance to snakes, can be frightening if you spot one in the wild or in your home, and although they don't typically attack residents, it's still good to not approach lizards.
  • Mole damage is most commonly found on landscapes, and sometimes humans don't even come into contact with them, but they definitely experience mole damage.
  • If you have discovered scorpion(s) in your garden or on your property, call us today for scorpion removal services.
  • Voles are not often spotted by humans, but vole damage is visible. For vole trapping, vole removal, and vole damage repair services, call Wildlife X Team® today!
  • Infestations of bugs are common, so if you are facing an insect infestation, don't panic—we can help kill insects and get rid of them inside and outside your home.
  • Wild hog trapping and wild hog prevention are the most effective means of wild hog removal. Due to the aggressive nature of wild hogs, we do not recommend DIY wild hog trapping.
  • Termite infestations are common inside homes and on properties, so if you are dealing with insects, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today to get rid of your termite problem fast and effectively!
  • Bee and wasp infestations are common, so if you are facing a stinging insect infestation, don't panic — we can help get rid of them inside and outside your home.
About
Wildlife X Team is rapidly becoming the leader in the nuisance wildlife control industry. We lead the way in the development of technology, education, products and services in Wildlife Management.
Read More About Us
100% Financing
SuperMoney offers 100% financing up to $100,000 and 30 second approvals. You'll fill out one easy form and get competing pre-approved loan offers back in real time.
Apply Now
Wildlife X Team offers an exclusive Wildlife Inspection Report® which includes commonly overlooked areas where wildlife can enter and infest your home.
Project: Apply Roof Sealant
Knowledgeable, efficient, and understood the issue to be addressed. Completed work on time and schedule.
Robert M., Denton, TX