PLEASE HELP! my dog was bitten by some unknown animal(i say unknown because i did not witness the attack on my dog) my dog has had only 1 rabies vaccine when she was 6 months old. how vunerable is she to getting rabies?
2007-10-23 11:39:25 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
my dog is now 7
2007-10-23 11:41:21 · update #1
I would not worry about it. The rabies challenge as a previous poster mentioned will prove with in the next year or so that the rabies vaccine like ALL others is likely good for the life of the dog. Not to mention that Rabies is an EXTREMELY RARE disease. It is not lurking on our door steps as many would have you believe.
Do an online search for 'Rabies statistics your county, your state and some info should pop up to let you know how many cases and what animals they were in your county.
My county has only had ONE case of rabies in over 100 years and unfortunately it was a human child who just died from it last year. She was bitten by a bat that she caught which was a bad idea and costly mistake.
2007-10-23 12:01:46 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You've gotten some fine answers here. Rabies vaccines are listed for three years but they don't suddenly stop working. The immunity USUALLY is believed to last at least seven years but the six month shot may or may not have provided full immunity (the reason a booster is given six months later). As others have stated, rabies is rare but it is also deadly, uncureable, and can be transmitted to humans. The smart thing to do is to get your dog rabies shots NOW since his risk is higher since he received an unknown bite then keep him away from people and animals for 10 days to see if there are any sighns of the disease. In normal cases, the main thing to worry about with rabies vaccines is that, as a public health concern; laws are quite severe (if a human is bit by an unvaccinated dog, it is generally killed and its brain sent to a lab for testing - the only sure way of knowing if it were infected) and fines for not having it as prescribed by your state are stiff.
2007-10-23 13:48:19 · answer #2 · answered by Caninelegion 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on whether the dog developed immunity when the first shot was given. A series of shots is normally given as a puppy to ensure that the pup does build antibodies to the virus. There is credible evidence and a study going on at this time that seems to indicate (and the study will prove or disprove) that the rabies vaccination lasts for at least 7 years. In your case, the dog could be covered by the vaccination if the first shot provided immunity. BUT, keep in mind that once symptoms occur, the disease is almost ALWAYS fatal and is extremely painful for the animal. I would urge you to talk with a vet as soon as possible. Also keep in mind for the future that if you do not vaccinate against rabies and your dog happens to bite someone they can legally take your dog, kill it to determine if the person bit needs to undergo rabies treatment. You should vaccinate your dog in accordance with local law (generally every three years).
2007-10-23 11:55:05 · answer #3 · answered by SC 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The rabies vaccine would be in the dog for a few years at most, but since it's been seven, she's not covered by it anymore.
Call the vet and ask what's best done about this. If the vaccine is given now, I don't personally know if being vaccinated would help.
There's usually a 10 day watch period, in case of suspected rabies. Your vet will know the time and how to do that.
2007-10-23 13:56:43 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Without vaccine, your dog is vulnerable meaning can get the disease. If you mean likelihood, not very likely. It depends on where you live. Some states have not had a documented case of Rabis in over 40 years. Check with your vet. Even a phone call can give you info about the likelihood.
2007-10-23 11:49:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Why were you irresponsible and not get the dogs shots yearly. Its against the law for a dog not to have a rabies shots. he prob got attached by a wild animal take him to the vet ASAP
2007-10-23 11:54:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Getting rabies is very likely. What kind of bite is it? Does it look like a carnivore's bite (pointy teeth) or an herbivore bite (wide teeth)?
If it's a carnivore bite, your dog is in extreme danger of rabies and needs rabies boosters immediately. Rabies is VERY common among wild carnivores and omnivores like raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes and skunks. The vet can give you more advice, and you should go to the vet regardless of the kind of bite.
2007-10-23 11:49:34 · answer #7 · answered by Kris 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Extremely vulnerable. Take your dog to the vet and assuming she's ok now, stay on top of her shots.
2007-10-23 11:43:48 · answer #8 · answered by Boss 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
very vulnerable you should take her to the vet
2007-10-23 11:49:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
VERY
2007-10-23 11:46:16 · answer #10 · answered by renee k 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋