Rabies shots

So I was talking to my doctor about getting a preventative rabies shot seeing rabies has become common in animals around here , what he told me is I should just wait till I get bite then get the shots because the shots are preventative and there's only one kind , is this true?

Pesky,

I'm betting many folks don't have "pre-exposure" shots for rabies that are out doing this work. Many due to health insurance
or other financial setback, some because of lack of concern and others for other reasons.

Two things from my perspective.

1) Even if you have pre exposure, you will be required to get "post exposure" round of shots if exposed or bitten

2) If you can find a doctor, other nwcos' in your state can probably help you do that, I would get the shots. We all know rabies is
basically 100% fatal (the only folks who have survived have lasting mental and physical impairments) so having the shots up
front gives you a much better chance if you don't realize you were exposed from saliva or a scratch/bite.

Working for the feds in certain conditions we were required to have the shots or sign a waiver saying they were offered.

Day to day work with raccoon, skunk and bat are enough to warrant this, let alone any warm blooded mammal out there is susceptible
so you should have them.

This is my opinion, there are a range of them out there, if you ask me I'd say find another doctor! For awhile there was a shortage of pre-exposure vaccine but now it is supposedly remedied and this might change many doctors putting this down.

I'm sure you explained you deal with animals every day, your doctor should see this as an obvious occupational hazard that deserves pre-exposure shots.

again, just my .02

justin

Alot of medical people don't have a clue to rabies prevention shots. I had to ask my Doc for a script, had it filled and then the nurses gave me the shots over a three week period. And they didn't know how to do it, as they had never done it before.
Find another Doctor to give it to you.

Update; So far two people have survived rabies and I believe that the gal from Wisconsin even graduated from college.

The guys on this forum know way more about rabies than your average doctor.

My pre-exposure shots cost $65 through the Humane Society. My son's post exposure cost $4500.00.

The pre and post exposure treatments are not the same, health wise or financially.

If your doctor doesn't know about this, find another one.

btw, most insurance will cover both pre and post exposure treatment.

Hey Paul,

I remember your talk about the cost of "post exposure" ouch!!!

Did that girl from WI still end up with physical and mental difficulties though? Thought I saw her on a whole special about
her case and while she did make it through college, she was always going to have lasting effects?

I do agree with you about the average doctor. The facts are that doctors, unless they specialize in zoonoses are only exposed
themselves to 1 or 2 classes on these issues.

When my wife first became ill after we had worked with wildlife hands on for 6+ years blood, stomachs, parasites, brains, etc...
it was the first thing we told all doctors to which you get a blank stare from many.

I finally got one doctor to test her for a wide variety of diseases including a few from feral swine that we had worked with. He had
to pull out this old dusty book just to find out what sample to take from her before going forward.

Not so much their fault as it is a need in the day and age where more than 75% of emerging diseases are zoonotic (transmissible from animals to humans), we are moving forward into the future where what we know is largely outdone by the things we don't know about.

$65 through the Humane society sounds like a good deal especially if folks don't have insurance to cover!

Justin

Ya don't have health ins ,don't know why the president said I would , my kids have it from there mom being a single dad has its perks ,I cut a deal with her that I would not collect child support from her as long as she kep ins on them . So there is two different shots my doctor is good but doesn't know it all , I'll check with the human soc , maybe the health dep too , I feel the need , wonder if tractor supply has the shots there ,that's were I get the shots for my dog , rats are pouring out of the ground and breeding things are getting crazy I'm sure rabies is going to make a giant jump this year in all animals

I'm going to take a wild shot at this but I was told 15 years ago that I could not possibly get a series of rabies shots for $65 because the serum cost more than that. So I'm guessing it's way more expensive now. Anyone know how much?

I also have another theory about zoonotic diseases. I've said this before and I believe it pertains now more than ever. I have never had any zoonotic diseases that I know of. I've never been very careful about cleanliness around animals either. I think when you live on a farm and are surrounded from little on by all kinds of disease, you just naturally develop an immunity.

Was at a trappers meeting once when rabies was prevalent in foxes.We had a medical man at the meeting and one guy asked "what does it cost for pre exposure shots?" and the medico said $75 for each of 3 shots,but post exposure shots are free under gov't healthcare.So the guy says " well guess I'll wait til I get bit then" lol.

Even if you have pre exposure, you will be required to get "post exposure" round of shots if exposed or bitten.

My doctor said the same thing & asked why would i want to due it twice. I elected not to. If it makes you feel more protected i would get the shots.

Some people die from the shots I here

If I get bit I'm going to bite them back

Pesky and anyone else; let's get rid of some of these old myths. Rabies shots were at one time given in the stomach and were quite painful. Young children back then were given the same shots with the same needle and I don't know if any of them died but never the less it was not pleasant.

My pre-exposures were given with such a small needle ( in my arm ) that the nurse had to tell me that I was done. ( I am not making this up ) My son's post-exposure were not near as much fun. The first one is given at the point of contact. If, for example, you are bitten in the hand, that's where the first shot goes, so be prepared for some cussing and swearing. I'll stick with the pre-exposures if you don't mind.

P.S. I told you we know more than the doctors!

i had to go to the place that gives shots for people that are going outside the country. I jumped through alot of hoops, but got my insurance company to pay for them. there was 3 shots at $300 per shot. so $900 total for the shots i got in Traverse City Hospital. Now im in the central CDC site so IF i ever get bite or whatever, im on record as having had the pre-shots and only need the boaster shots

Paul do you know why doctors call their business a "practice"? Because they never quite get it right. Try naming one of our businesses "Big Sky Wildlife Practice Services" our motto is "we'll practice on your house till we get it right,eventually,maybe".

This subject has been discussed a few times. Here are links to a few of the discussions-
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2712603/Active_attic_space.html#Post2712603
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2449302/prevention_shots.html#Post2449302
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthrea...tml#Post1975298
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthrea...tml#Post1389653
http://www.trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1349927/had_a_scare_friday.html#Post1349927

The pre-exposure prophylaxis is available at no charge to military retirees through Tri-care. Military veterans may be able to receive them, at no charge, through the VA. Many job and personal health insurance policies cover them. Sometimes a group of folks can band together and get a group discount. Coordinate with your veterinarian or local animal control agency; possibly you can schedule your immunization through them.

Personally, I feel that we should all have the pre-exposure prophylaxis and have titers checked regularly. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! My dogs get their shot regularly, why shouldn’t I?

You said it Ron!

Three pre-exposure shots run $750 in VA, titers recommended every two years. Anyone on here ever get their titers done? Nurse told me some people are good for life, some people need boosters (1 shot) every couple of years.

Yes. Had the pre-exposure shot in the early 1980's. Titers show ample anti-bodies to this day. Still a good idea to get a titer done.

Not all animals will show symptoms even though they are shedding the virus, the pre-exposure gives some protection to that.

I had one booster and one titer after that that showed I was good.

Ron, your dogs also lick their butts which is something you're no longer able to do. ( Your butt that is )

The fact is you wont know if the critter is positive if it is in the early stages of the disease .

Needless to say I got mine. Your numbers is going to come up if you play the game long enough.

Veterans can get the shot at the VA for free or at low cost at any VA facility. You may have to argue with them a bit, Just tell them you handle wild animals and "NEED" the shots. If they still give you crap go see the Vet Rep and Patient Advocates. I got mine free and get Titer check at my annual check-up.

I guess that I was never as agile as you!!!

With the pre-exposure you will need fewer shots and you may need b
No shots at all if your titles are high enough.

We need like a traveling vet doctor dude that just drives from state to state giving us shots and deworming us , wonder why when people want to loose weight they don't just give them selfs worms , works on dogs ,possums , cats ect , then when your nice and skinny just take a worm pill

Like badkarma, I had my pre-exposure shots in 1982 when I started skinning piles of bloody coon without gloves my mom (registered nurse)made appointment..Titer still good about five years ago, due for another titer now I guess...

Pesky, that worm thing for weight loss isn't new. Some opera singer ( Maria Callas? ) swallowed a tape worm and lost a bunch of weight. My question is; how do the tapeworms lose weight?