Thursday, August 29, 2013

Are Bat Bites More Dangerous Than Dog Bites With Regard To Rabies

Bats are commonly associated with Rabies infections.


A bite from any infected animal can potentially transmit rabies. While any animal infected with rabies is dangerous and should be avoided, larger animals like dogs can inflict deeper bites that may be more likely to transmit a rabies infection than bites from smaller animals, like bats.


Bats


Bats are nocturnal animals. Healthy bats are not typically seen during daylight hours, nor will they allow humans to touch them. Wild bats infected by rabies are more likely to be seen during the day and are more likely to allow humans to approach them.








Dogs


Dogs can carry rabies and can also infect humans and animals to rabies through their saliva. In many states, such as Oregon, domesticated dogs are required to get a rabies vaccine by the time they are 6 months old; therefore, the likelihood of being exposed from dogs is lower than bats. It is important to note, this is because of the vaccine, not the difference in the actual bite.


Increased Risks From Bites


Since rabies is transmitted after an animal bite, deeper bites increase the chance of infection. Animals with long teeth, such as cats, leave deeper bite marks than animals with shorter teeth. Dogs with large teeth will typically leave deeper bite marks than bats, whose teeth are shorter. The deeper the animal bite, the more likely the infected animal's saliva will enter the body.

Tags: more likely, allow humans, animal bite, animals like, bite marks