My friend's dog licked my arm, although I don't have any wounds around that area, And my friend assured me that the dog was vaccinated, I'm still not assured. The incident happened 2 hours ago.
What are the symptoms I should look out for? Symptoms where the rabies vaccine is needed? Can rabies be detected through a blood test?
2007-06-29 07:26:43 · 7 answers · asked by -Answer- 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
The dog seemed pretty angry, I just patted it on the head, It was going to bite me but all it did was get a lot of slobber on my arm. The dog isn't always angry, I think it acted the way it did because it isn't used to seeing strangers. Although the dog has been there for 2 years now.
Another question, If the dog had rabies, Within how many weeks must I get the vaccine?
2007-06-29 07:39:31 · update #1
Rabies cannot be detected through blood testing, the testing can only be done postmortem, on brain tissue.
There is absolutely no way you can get rabies in incident you described. Also, if you live in the US, there is very little chance of a domestic animal having rabies. Check out the charts in the link below.
Rabies progresses rapidly in animals, unlike humans. If this dog is still alive in a month, you can rest assured that it didn't have it. But again, the animal would have to break the skin to infect you anyway.
2007-06-29 12:51:50 · answer #1 · answered by lizettadf 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabies virus is present in the saliva of only infected dogs.Moreover licking on a intact skin can't transmit Rabies.Eventhen if you are afraid ,then you must watch the dog for 10 days .If the dog becomes rabid or dies or is not traceable within this period only then you will be vaccinated. Symptoms of rabies is hydrophobia which can appear 9days to 9yr after the dog bite.Rabies can't be detected by a blood test.
2007-06-29 09:01:04 · answer #2 · answered by Troy Bolton(prat) 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you have nonintact skin (cuts, abrasions) on your arm, you are quite safe even if the dog has rabies. If you want to read more about rabies, see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rabies/DS00484. Yes, contacting the dog's vet to see if the dog was vaccinated is an option; please be aware, however, that rabies vaccinations do not protect animals 100%. My advice? Stop worrying.
2007-06-29 07:37:07 · answer #3 · answered by july 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You only have to worry if the dog bite you and broke the skin. If you are really worried about rabies move to Hawaii there are no rabies at all there. So don't panic about it, but if you are worried ask the vet where your friend takes his dog.
2007-06-29 07:31:33 · answer #4 · answered by Pakalakia N 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dog licked your arm, don't worry, if he had rabies, he would have torn your arm off.
Wash your arm and don't worry, if the dog has rabies, he'd be going crazy, not licking people.
2007-06-29 07:35:08 · answer #5 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This dog isn't rabid and you don't have rabies. Get educated about it.
2007-06-29 07:44:34 · answer #6 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can detect if an animal has rabbis if they have white things around their mouth, if the dog had that then sorry bud, but only if he bit you would you get it
2007-06-29 07:32:53 · answer #7 · answered by BabyDragon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋