15/02/2026
Attention: Long post ahead!
Today, we had to close early due to an unfortunate incident involving my son. He was scratched by a cat whose owner we don't know. I didn't personally see the cat, but apparently, it fell from the roof near our store. I'm sharing our experience in the hopes that we can all learn something valuable from it:
1. Immediate First Aid for Animal Bites/Scratches:
When my son told me it hurt, I checked his arm and saw a scratch on his upper arm. My immediate reaction was to clean it with alcohol and Betadine. HOWEVER, the animal bite clinic advised that it's actually more effective to thoroughly wash the wound with soap and running water for 10-15 minutes immediately. They also stressed not to try and bleed the wound, which thankfully, I hadn't done. Proper and immediate cleaning is crucial to remove dirt and animal saliva.
2. When to Get Anti-Rabies Shots:
At the clinic, they will ask if you own the animal, or if it has been vaccinated against rabies. Anti-rabies injections are incredibly important and often necessary, especially if:
* The bite or scratch is on the upper body (head, face, neck, arms, hands).
* The animal that bit you has access to the outdoors (even if it has an anti-rabies vaccine), or if it's a stray.
* The animal is unknown or cannot be observed for signs of rabies.
The eight injections my son received were certainly no joke. However, we are grateful that he was holding an umbrella when the incident happened, as he might have been scratched on the face or head otherwise. Rabies is a fatal disease, so never take animal bites or scratches lightly.
In our case, since we don't know if the cat was vaccinated against rabies and the incident happened outdoors, we are required to have ERIG and ATS.
ERIG (Equine Rabies Immunoglobulin) and ATS (Anti-Tetanus Serum) are crucial components of post-exposure treatment following potential rabies and tetanus exposure.
- ERIG (or RIG, Rabies Immunoglobulin) provides immediate, passive immunity against the rabies virus. It consists of antibodies that directly neutralize the virus before the body can mount its own immune response. This is especially important for individuals who have not been previously vaccinated against rabies, as it offers rapid protection while the rabies vaccine begins to work. ERIG is typically administered by injecting it directly into and around the wound site, and any remaining portion is given as an intramuscular injection. The effectiveness of ERIG is similar to Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG), and it is often a more accessible and affordable option in many regions.
- ATS (Anti-Tetanus Serum) provides immediate, passive immunity against tetanus. It contains pre-formed antibodies that neutralize the toxins produced by the Clostridium tetani bacteria, which cause tetanus. Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that can result from animal bites or other wounds that break the skin, as the bacteria are often found in soil and f***s. ATS offers rapid protection, especially when there's a high risk of tetanus or if an individual's vaccination status is unknown or incomplete. While not directly related to rabies, it's a standard and vital part of wound care for animal bites to prevent this potentially fatal disease.
Why are they important?
The immediate administration of ERIG, along with the rabies vaccine, is critical because rabies has an almost 100% fatality rate once symptoms appear. The incubation period for rabies can vary, but once the virus reaches the nervous system, it is almost always too late for treatment to be effective. ERIG provides immediate protection, buying time for the body to develop its own antibodies from the rabies vaccine. ATS is equally important to prevent tetanus, another severe infection that can arise from wounds, by providing immediate antitoxins. Together, these treatments significantly reduce the risk of developing both rabies and tetanus after a potential exposure.
In our situation, my son received two injections of anti-rabies vaccine on his back, one on the left and one on the right, and a tetanus toxoid shot. Before administering ERIG and ATS, a skin test was performed to check for any allergic reactions. Once no signs of allergy were present, he received two shots of ERIG around the wound site and ATS in his right arm.
Thanks to PhilHealth, the anti-rabies vaccine and tetanus toxoid were covered. However, the ERIG and ATS were not. We paid ₱350 for the ERIG and ₱1000 for the ATS, plus an additional ₱50 for the card, bringing our initial out-of-pocket expense to only ₱1400. Fortunately, the next two rabies vaccine sessions were free. For the final rabies vaccine session, we anticipate needing to pay ₱750.
Lastly, we'd like to share information about the SBI Medical Animal Bite Center & Vaccination Clinic in Brgy. Dela Paz, Antipolo City – it's situated right in front of Antipolo District Hospital.
The clinic operates seven days a week, from 8 AM to 5 PM. In our experience, it was more convenient than waiting until Monday to visit the Barangay or City Veterinary offices. While public centers like the City Veterinary Clinic provide free anti-rabies and tetanus toxoid (for those with PhilHealth, same as SBI), ERIG and ATS may require a separate visit elsewhere. Having access to comprehensive services at SBI Medical was a great help during a difficult time, and we wanted to let others know it's an alternative option available even on weekends.
Please stay safe everyone, and I hope our experience can help others.
