Whoa I almost stepped on a bat just a couple of hours ago. A small bat was
on my balcony floor and I did not realize what it was until it ran over my foot
and into the bathroom. Definitely something wrong with it as it barely moved
when I poked it, and it died in ten minutes. I don't think that it bit me but I
guess the smart thing is to go and get a booster shot anyway huh?
So how do I go about getting one? Do I have to go to Ekachai hospital or do
they give shots at those small clinics too? Are the shots expensive? Is this
something that I can charge on my travel insurance? I don't mean that I will
not get the shot if it's expensive or if I cannot use the insurance, I'm just
interested...
Hi Teppo
I was bitten by a Rottweiler a year or so ago and was told that having a series of rabies shots is a no brainer as the only outcome for me, if it was rabid was death. That concentrates the mind!
Anyway the shots a series of 5 cost Baht 2,100. Available from the local hospital. Dog bites are very common so I suspect all the clinics would keep stocks of the serum.
Unlike previous treatment which I have heard were b****y painful these are just ordinary jabs which are spread over a few weeks.
I initially thought that as I had had a recent tetanus jab I would be OK, but to be sure checked with a nurse on the Thaivisa forum, she told me to get my a**e down the hospital PDQ as a lot of dogs over here are carriers and even if it was a well cared for dog chances are it had got out at some time and come into contact with a carrier.
Not sure how this all fits in with bats, but the owner of the dog paid up for my treatment, but money well spent for peace of mind!
If you do decide to get jabs get them ASAP as the efficacy wears off the longer you wait.
TBWG