Animal bite wounds usually should not be sutured. A passive immunization by human rabies immune globulin may be given if there is any risk of rabies. If immunization is given within 2 days of the bite, rabies is usually prevented. Once the symptoms appear, few people survive the disease. Death from respiratory failure usually occurs within 7 days.
Bats have an important ecological role in the environment.
However, they can carry rabies. Sick bats should be avoided and all bat bites should be reported to your state's Health Department. Wild raccoons are cute but dangerous, and should be avoided as they can carry rabies. Bites by a wild raccoon or any other wild animal should be reported immediately to a physician or the state board of health. Trials with an oral rabies vaccine are presently under study.