?? about Rabies..

[Four*Leaf*Farm]

How viable is the virus after the infected animal is dead?
Asking b'cause my 4 month old puppy was licking at some old bones of a racoon that was hit a week or two ago out by the barn. I'm not too worried but I haven't had pup vaccinated yet and he and my little boy play together a lot. Vet won't see him until they get a call from AC or Health Dept. And of course I have to wait 'til tomorrow to get a hold of anyone.

 

[cattitude]

How viable is the virus after the infected animal is dead?
Asking b'cause my 4 month old puppy was licking at some old bones of a racoon that was hit a week or two ago out by the barn. I'm not too worried but I haven't had pup vaccinated yet and he and my little boy play together a lot. Vet won't see him until they get a call from AC or Health Dept. And of course I have to wait 'til tomorrow to get a hold of anyone.

I'm not sure how viable the virus is. Are you going to have the carcass tested? If it's positive, you may have a big problem. They may want to keep the puppy in quarantine (away from any people or animals) for six months or they may just want to euthanize it.

I went through this years ago with a rabid kitten (we didn't know it was rabies initially..but she had a leg injury) I was fostering...it was a nightmare. Maryland State Health Department pretty much took over and went through all of my veterinary records to check on all of my pets' rabies vaccinations. Otter, me and all of our children had to undergo the rabies shots and all of our pets were boosted. One of my cats was 2 months overdue on his rabies shot (I thought all cats were on the same schedule) and rather than cage him for 6 months (because we would not be permitted to it at home), I had to have him put down. I still have guilt many years later.

If I were you, I'd keep the puppy away from the child.

Best of luck..

 

[Four*Leaf*Farm]

I'm not sure how viable the virus is. Are you going to have the carcass tested? ...

there isn't a carcass left.. it was just a little rib bone here and there where it was left.. The vultures tore it up last week and I had hubby dispose of the big leftovers a couple days ago. He just didn't get the little bits..

 

[cattitude]

there isn't a carcass left.. it was just a little rib bone here and there where it was left.. The vultures tore it up last week and I had hubby dispose of the big leftovers a couple days ago. He just didn't get the little bits..

I'd still gather up what you can. Unfortunately, you have to be absolutely certain with rabies.

 

[Four*Leaf*Farm]

Catt, how did the little kitten get rabies? that is a very frightening story...
sorry you had to go through that...

 

[cattitude]

Catt, how did the little kitten get rabies? that is a very frightening story...
sorry you had to go through that...

She was only about 4 weeks old when we started fostering her. She had a leg injury, a compound fracture of her hind leg. After about 10 days, she began exhibiting agitated behavior. Prior to that, she was very, very sweet. After rabies was determined, it was obvious that she'd been attacked by a rabid animal. Making the decision to have her euthanized to confirm rabies was awful and then to lose one of my own cats was devastating. It was just a horrible experience.

 

[happyappygirl]

I'd still gather up what you can. Unfortunately, you have to be absolutely certain with rabies.

decompsed little bits are not viable for testing. it has to be fresh. the rabies virus dies out quickly once the host is dead.
i'd just get a rabies shot for her ASAP, she'll prolly be fine.

Quote "The rabies virus travels to the salivary glands during the final stage of the disease—this is the time when an animal is most infectious. But the virus cannot penetrate intact skin; people can get rabies only via a bite from a rabid animal or through scratches, abrasions, open wounds, or mucous membranes contaminated with saliva or brain tissue from a rabid animal. And the virus is short-lived when exposed to open air—it isn't viable after saliva dries up."

http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/urban_wildlife_our_wild_neighbors/rabies__wildlife.html

 

[Four*Leaf*Farm]

decompsed little bits are not viable for testing. it has to be fresh. the rabies virus dies out quickly once the host is dead.
i'd just get a rabies shot for her ASAP, she'll prolly be fine.

Quote "The rabies virus travels to the salivary glands during the final stage of the disease—this is the time when an animal is most infectious. But the virus cannot penetrate intact skin; people can get rabies only via a bite from a rabid animal or through scratches, abrasions, open wounds, or mucous membranes contaminated with saliva or brain tissue from a rabid animal. And the virus is short-lived when exposed to open air—it isn't viable after saliva dries up."

http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/urban_wildlife_our_wild_neighbors/rabies__wildlife.html

good to know.. I feel a little more relieved..
I still have to convince the vet by way of AC or the health dept. before they will even see him for a shot...