What Happens If You Get Scrubbed by a Squirrel? 
So what happens if you get scratched on the face by a squirrel? First, you should take the squirrel to a veterinarian for a proper examination. This is because the symptoms of rabies may clash with other diseases that affect squirrels. For example, you might get Leptospirosis or Meningitis. In extreme cases, you might also develop lethargy and fall over.
Leptospirosis
If you’ve ever been bitten by a squirrel, you know that it can cause serious illness. This bacterial infection can cause severe symptoms such as fever, nausea, joint pain, and diarrhea. It can also lead to serious kidney and liver problems. Fortunately, pet squirrel vaccination can help reduce your risk. However, there is no way to completely protect yourself from squirrel bites. You should seek medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms.
The bacteria that cause leptospirosis spread from one animal to another via their urine. The bacteria are small enough to survive in water or soil for weeks. They can then be ingested by humans through contact with the urine. They can also enter the body through the skin and mucous membranes. You can also contract leptospirosis by drinking contaminated water.
Meningitis
If you’ve been scratched by a squirrel, you may be concerned that you’ve contracted a serious disease. While squirrels typically do not carry rabies, their bites can cause bacterial infections. Because they do not show symptoms until late in the disease process, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. A quick medical diagnosis is essential for preventing a serious illness, including meningitis.
The presence of ticks, which carry Lyme disease, is another possible cause for concern. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium found in the feces of infected squirrels. Symptoms include fever, rash, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Tularemia is another common bacterial infection transmitted by squirrels. Symptoms include fever, rash, and pain in the limbs.
Kidney failure
In some cases, a squirrel scratching you could lead to kidney failure. When the animal depletes its calcium levels, it can cause a variety of symptoms, including vomiting and rashes. Untreated leptospirosis can cause kidney failure, meningitis, and even death. Other diseases caused by squirrels include typhus and ringworm. Getting scratched by a squirrel can be extremely unpleasant, but it is easy to avoid serious health complications.
While a squirrel is unlikely to carry the rabies virus, it can spread other infections and cause a variety of symptoms. Fortunately, squirrel bites don’t require rabies vaccinations. Rabies is transmitted when the animal’s pee comes into contact with an open wound. Symptoms of rabies include fever, rashes, headaches, vomiting, and meningitis. If you think you may have been bitten by a squirrel, go to the doctor as soon as possible.
Tularemia
People who work with wildlife are more likely to contract tularemia than others, but it can happen to anyone. The bacteria causing the disease are present in animals and can survive for weeks in soil and water. Symptoms of the disease vary in severity and can range from fever to pericarditis, swelling of the pericardium, and bone infection. If you are infected with the bacteria, you must visit the doctor right away to prevent serious complications.
Squirrel feces contain bacteria that can cause salmonellosis, a digestive illness that can be fatal. Other symptoms of tularemia include vomiting, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain. It can also lead to rabies, a bacterial disease transmitted through contact with infected animals. Rabies is not common in humans, but if you get scratched by a squirrel and your skin becomes red and swollen, you may have rabies. Rabies symptoms are similar to those of tularemia, but they can progress to confusion, paralysis, and even death.
What are the symptoms of a Squirrel Scratch?
The symptoms of a Squirrel Scratch include redness swelling itching and pain.
What is the treatment for a Squirrel Scratch?
The treatment for a Squirrel Scratch is to clean the wound with soap and water apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a bandage.
How can you prevent getting Squirrel Scratched?
You can prevent getting Squirrel Scratched by avoiding contact with wild squirrels and by vaccinating your pet against rabies.
What is the incubation period for rabies after a Squirrel Scratch?
The incubation period for rabies after a Squirrel Scratch is 3-8 weeks.
What are the symptoms of rabies?
The symptoms of rabies include fever headache muscle pain weakness paralysis and coma.
How is rabies treated?
There is no cure for rabies and it is always fatal.
Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting the patient.
Can rabies be prevented?
Rabies can be prevented through vaccination of people and animals.
What is the mortality rate for rabies?
The mortality rate for rabies is 100%.
How long does it take for rabies to kill?
Once symptoms of rabies appear the disease progresses rapidly and leads to death within days.
Is there a vaccine for rabies?
Yes there is a vaccine for rabies.
The vaccine is given in a series of shots.
How effective is the rabies vaccine?
The rabies vaccine is very effective.
It is estimated to be 99% effective in preventing rabies.
How long does the rabies vaccine last?
The rabies vaccine is typically given as a series of shots.
The last shot in the series is considered to be lifelong.
How much does the rabies vaccine cost?
The rabies vaccine typically costs between $50 and $100.
Where can I get the rabies vaccine?
The rabies vaccine is typically given by a doctor or at a clinic.
What are the side effects of the rabies vaccine?
The most common side effect of the rabies vaccine is soreness at the injection site.
Other possible side effects include fever headache muscle aches and fatigue.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
