Call Toll Free 1-888-792-3595

When a Victim Suffers Rabies After a Dog Bite in Ames, Iowa (Part B)

Being attacked and bitten by a dog is a terrifying experience. Because rabies is still a problem with stray animals, it's important to seek immediate medical attention if you've suffered a dog bite in Ames, Iowa. The next step would be to contact an Ames dog bite attorney to discuss filing a claim and holding the dog owner responsible for your injuries.

Handling a Dog Bite Incident

Immediately after a dog bite attack and seeking medical attention, it's important to find out if the animal was infected by rabies:

• Neighborhood dogs - If you know the dog, contact the owners and ask for the dog's vaccination records.
• Stray dogs - If the dog was a stray, you can try contacting animal control so they can locate and test the animal for rabies.
• Wild animals - If the animal was wild or if animal control is unable to locate the animal, your attending doctor will likely order a series of rabies shots, called post-exposure prophylaxis.

Rabies Symptoms in Humans

The incubation period for rabies in humans generally ranges from three to nine weeks, but it can take years to manifest. It's important not to wait until symptoms appear to seek medical treatment, because the disease nearly always becomes fatal after symptoms appear.

Rabies symptoms in humans include:

• fever;
• cough;
• sore throat;
• hallucinations; and
• seizures.

If you have been exposed to rabies, health care physicians will begin a series of shots as part of your treatment plan. You'll receive seven shots within a 28-day window to treat the virus.

There is a good chance that the dog owner can be held liable if you've suffered a dog bite in Ames, Iowa, but you'll need to discuss the specifics of your case with an Ames dog bite attorney to make sure.

An attorney can go over Iowa dog bite statutes with you and determine if you are within you legal rights to pursue a claim.

Contacting an Ames Dog Bite Attorney

The Ames dog bite attorney team at Walker, Billingsley & Bair works hard to level the field between injured Iowans and insurance companies. Contact your Ames dog bite attorney to pursue a fair settlement for your or your child's injuries and damages - 1-800-707-2552.