![Blarina brevicauda ( Short tailed Shrew ) [ Original photo copyright © Jennifer Edalgo ]](images/other_life/TVP05001.jpg)
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Class: Mammalia
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Order: Insectivora
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Family: Soricidae
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Genus: Blarina
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Species: brevicauda
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Subspecies: aloga , angusta , brevicauda , churchi , compacta , hooperi , kirtlandi , manitobensis , pallida , talpoides , telmalestes
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Common Names
Short-tailed Shrew
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Region
North America
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Countries
Canada, United States of America
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First Aid
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| Description:Bites by venomous mammals (shrews etc).
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Details:1. Remove the patient from continued exposure to the mammal.
2. If the mammal is still attached to the patient (ie still biting) then carefully prize the jaws open. Do not pull the mammal off as this may increase the extent of skin injury as some of these mammals have very sharp teeth that may lacerate the skin.
3. Note the physical characteristics of the mammal so that, if necessary, it can be described to health care workers. If you have a camera, photograph the mammal.
4. Clean the wound with antiseptic, if available, otherwise use clean, preferably sterile water.
5. If the wound is deep, or there is extensive damage, or if significant pain persists after 30 minutes, seek medical care.
6. Tetanus infection is possible with any bite wound. If the patient does not have current tetanus immunisation, seek medical care.
7. Secondary infection is possible with any bite wound. If the wound initially appears minor, but over the next few days becomes red, tender to touch, more painful, swollen, or develops a discharge, secondary infection may have developed. In this case seek urgent medical care.
8. Systemic (general) effects from salivary venom from these animals are not expected. If the patient develops any systemic (general) symptoms, such as headache, vomiting, fever, dizziness, weakness, difficulty breathing, or any other general symptom, seek urgent medical care. If breathing is impaired, support using available methods, including mouth-to-mouth breathing if nothing else is available. It is emphasised that such systemic effects are not expected and not reported and this advice is given for completeness, not in the expectation it is likely to be required.
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