ASAP help needed...son just got bit by a mouse - UPDATE PG 2

[Hillbeans]

My DS was playing with the neighbor's cat (who had a mouse) and he picked it up and it bit him on the finger and foot.

I can't find anything on Google, but should I go to the ER?

 

[Microcell]

Is it bleeding? DO you have the mouse in your posession? Bandage the wound and check with your doc about rabies vaccination or something else!

I would call your doctor and see if they want you to go to the ER why does this stuff happen on Sunday?

 

[Hillbeans]

My DH has the mouse (alive)...the bite is just two small puncture wounds on his finger and foot, but I know i'll never forgive myself if I don't at least go to the ER to get some meds for infection.

 

[RachelEllen]

Go to the ER and at least get treated for bacterial infection. Puncture type bites are the nastiest for infections (not counting humans!) Mice aren't a big rabies risk, but if you have the animal, you can discuss getting it tested.

RAchel

 

[izzy]

Personally, I'd take him to the ER. Mice are known to carry lots of diseases and similar yucky stuff. I'd want to make sure it was properly cleaned and the appropriate antibiotics given, if the doctor thinks it's necessary. I'm glad your husband got the mouse, just in case they feel the need to test it.

Good luck to your little one! Be sure to take him out for a big ice cream cone afterwards!

 

[janette]

Your Dr should have an emergency # or call the ER first, chances are you'll just need to make sure it is clean but they will be able to tell you and maybe save you several hours at the ER.

 

[avdeane]

I would take him in just to be sure, even if it is only to make you feel better about the situation. Definitely keep the mouse. They may need to test it for disease.

Keep us updated and I'm sure your little guy will be just fine!!

 

[Van Helsing]

Take him to the ER and get them to check for Hanta virus - and see if he needs Tetanus shot.

 

[Squem]

I agree with everyone else - take him to the ER as mice can carry all sorts of infections.

PS - VH, what is Hanta virus?

 

[janette]

Hanta virus is a something very serious but usually transmitted by deer mice and their droppings. Just being around mice would be a risk but it is extremely rare in the NE. I'd have to do some searches to see if there has ever been a case.

edited to add: For some reason it also is rare in small childen / and the elderly. On the CDC site the age range is: The mean age of confirmed case patients is 37 years (range: 10 to 75 years).

Very few cases in the NE.

I know someone who has had this virus and survived, she's very active in education about the virus and I don't think this is something that this parent needs to worry about. If they lived in the west then it would be very different.

CDC site

 

[Van Helsing]

Hanta virus, a distant cousin of the Ebola virus, has been recognized as a cause of disease for many years. In the United States, disease caused by Hanta virus has probably always existed, but in such low numbers that it was not recognized.

A 1993 outbreak of fatal respiratory illness on an Indian reservation in the Four Corners area (the border of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona) led epidemiologists to the discovery of Hanta virus as the causative agent. Since that discovery, Hanta virus disease has been reported in every western state, and in many eastern states.

Hanta virus is carried by rodents, particularly deer mice, and is present in their urine and feces. The Hanta virus does not cause disease in the carrier animal, but it does in man. Humans are thought to become infected when they are exposed to contaminated dust from the nests or droppings of mice.

The disease is not, however, passed between humans. Contaminated dust is often encountered when cleaning long-vacated dwellings, sheds, or other enclosed areas.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that rodents carrying Hanta virus have been found in at least twenty national parks and that it is possible that the virus is in all of the parks.

 

[Squem]

Thanks for the info, janette and VH

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I was bitten by a mouse way back in 1988 and I still have lingering effects.

Season passes, DVC membership and many trips per year usually help the pain.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. VH was being helpful, so I thought I'd post this to keep the world in balance.

 

[laurie31]

Call your child's doctor - someone should be on call even if no one's in the office.

By the way, unless it's a true life and death emergency, our insurance won't pay for an ER visit unless your MD refers you there.

Good luck! I hope everything turns out fine.

Laurie

 

[Microcell]

Originally posted by DukeStreetKing
I was bitten by a mouse way back in 1988 and I still have lingering effects.

Season passes, DVC membership and many trips per year usually help the pain.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. VH was being helpful, so I thought I'd post this to keep the world in balance.

I read the first sentence and thought, that poor kid, what a long time to have effects of a mouse bite! Bad!!!!!

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Originally posted by DukeStreetKing
I was bitten by a mouse way back in 1988 and I still have lingering effects.

Season passes, DVC membership and many trips per year usually help the pain.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. VH was being helpful, so I thought I'd post this to keep the world in balance.

Seems I got bit too!!!


In all seriousness though, sadly, this is one time a trip to the doc is in order. (we have Sunday hours at the local clinics here....check on that before a trip to the ER maybe?)

If it were a tame/pet mouse I wouldn't worry as much, and I wouldn't be too concerned about rabies with the bite, but I agree wound infection is an unpleasant possibility.

 

[Hillbeans]

Hi Everyone,

We're back already...not bad. Apparently Father's Day in the ER isn't busy

Everyone at the hospital thought it was a riot that we had the mouse in a gladware container...LOL - they joked with DH and told us we could keep it as a pet for 10 days to make sure it doesn't go rabid (but I said no). The mouse was just a common field mouse variety who was being attacked by the neighbors cat and just bit because he was provoked...my son now wants to keep the mouse and the neighbor's cat as pets.

The Dr. cleaned the 2 puncture sites with Iodine and advised me to clean it with peroxide and neosporin.

I generally don't overreact to child illnesses, but on the off chance we didn't go to the ER and he got sick i'd be a wreck.

Thanks again to my DIS friends...I found NOTHING on Google for Mouse bites and I appreciate all of your help. Everyone have a wonderful day.

-Hillary

 

[Blueeyes101817]

glad everything is okay!!

 

[laurie31]

Yay - I'm glad everything is okay and you didn't have to wait long either!

Laurie

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I'm glad you took him to the ER. Just keep a close eye on it. My Aunt-in-law got bit by her cat and almost lost her hand due to bacterial infection. She had to be hospitalized. The whole palm of her hand up to her elbow was black and blue. She was really lucky. This happened last Christmas time.