No, you should not be worried when your vaccinated dog bites you. It is an improbable occurrence for your pet to be vaccinated and pose a threat of transferring rabies to you through its bite.
While Dog vaccinations are important to protect dogs from diseases, many dog owners have asked if bites from vaccinated dogs are truly harmful. Now, let’s elaborate more on this.
Although, there have been cases where a dog contracted rabies after receiving its vaccination.
However, these cases are usually attributed to ineffective rabies vaccines. So you can get rabies from a vaccinated dog. At the same time, you have no cause to worry if the vaccine administered to your dog is effective.
Furthermore, avoiding a situation where your dog has to bite you is advisable. Rabies can be fatal to both you and your dog. You should also be aware that despite the effectiveness of the rabies vaccine, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Rabies is caused by a viral infection that affects the central nervous system. It is transmitted via contact with the saliva of an infected animal. The disease is primarily transmitted by a bite wound, although it can spread through a scratch or an open wound.
Symptoms Of Rabies In Dogs?
Your dog may become restless, angry, and even aggressive quickly. Fever, trouble swallowing, excessive drooling, wobbling, convulsions, and even paralysis are symptoms of rabies in dogs.
Overstimulation is another symptom your pet may experience in the later stages of the disease. It causes aggression in dogs. Sensitivity to light, sound and movement leads to hiding in quiet, dark places in the house.
Your dog will begin to foam at the mouth, one of a dog’s most well-known rabies signs. Some dogs may see excessive saliva or drool instead of foaming at the mouth.
As the condition worsens in the latter stages of the disease, an infected dog will experience seizures and progressive paralysis. Your dog will lose its ability to control and regulate its muscles, difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
Does Rabies Affect Humans The Same Way It Affects Dogs?
The symptoms of rabies infection in dogs and humans are similar, especially if the dog is not vaccinated. A dog and a human will experience feverish conditions, general weakness and dysfunction. While a dog may find swallowing difficult, a human develops a fear of swallowing(Phagophobia).
Additionally, aggressive behaviour is typical in dogs and humans toward those around them. Partial paralysis is also a common symptom of rabies in dogs and humans, and dogs and humans may be unable to walk or raise their legs and arms due to the infection.
There are, however, notable distinctions between how the sickness manifests in humans and dogs. One of the earliest symptoms of rabies in humans is the onset of headaches; this is a sign that is not noticeable in dogs.
Also, dogs are more likely to chew and bite unfamiliar objects, whereas humans do not do that.
Prevention of Rabies in Dogs?
It is essential to note that the virus might be present in your dog’s body for weeks before symptoms appear.
However, in most cases, the symptoms appear between 21 and 80 days following exposure in dogs. Still, the incubation period can be substantially shorter or longer.
The best way to keep your pet safe from rabies is to vaccinate them as prescribed by your veterinary doctor.
In many places, rabies vaccination is compulsory. The benefits you stand to gain are that your pet will be immune from contracting the virus and protect you if they bite you.
If you’ve vaccinated your dog once before and your vaccines are not updated, it may be quarantined or possibly euthanized because of the hazard. Any dog that has bitten someone must be quarantined for at least ten days to check for rabies.
Keep your distance from wild animals. Place your dog on a leash when you go for walks, and be mindful of your surroundings. If your dog roams freely, it is more likely to encounter wild animals and catch the disease.
It would be best never to leave your pet alone late at night when bats and other creatures are most active. Rabid bats are the most dangerous. Bat-proofing your home is a must; wild bats should never be captured, handled, or kept as pets.
Feed your dogs from the comfort of your own home. Do not leave food outside, as it may attract stray animals to your property.
You must ensure that your rubbish is not accessible to animals. Ensure your trash can lids are locked, and no rubbish bags are left outside the cans.
Can A Rabid Dog Be Cured If He Is Not Vaccinated?
Rabies has no known cure and is fatal in most instances if a dog is not vaccinated. An infected dog usually dies within five days of exhibiting clinical signs.
Examining the brain tissue of a deceased animal is the only way to test for rabies, and there is no means to test for rabies infection in a live animal.
Since rabies cannot be treated once symptoms appear, you must contact your veterinarian once your dog has been bitten. It is better than waiting to see what will happen to your dog.
What Vaccinations Can My Dog Get?
- Canine Parvovirus
- Canine Distemper
- Hepatitis
- Bordetella
Where Can I Get My Dog Vaccinated?
- Government animal shelters
- Veterinary medicine colleges
- Mobile vet clinics
- Charity care from your local vet
- Use a vet in a less-expensive area
- Nonprofit organizations
Conclusion
Due to the high mortality rate of this infection, you must take proper care of your dog. When your dog is hale and hearty and properly vaccinated, you will have less cause to worry about your dog biting you.
Furthermore, it would help if you took preventive measures against potential rabies carriers such as bats, skunks, and raccoons.
Suppose you or your pet has been bitten. In that case, you should immediately wash the bite wounds vigorously with soap and water and alert the proper authorities.
Suppose your dog is vaccinated; you would have little to worry about. However, remember to contact your veterinary doctor if you suspect something is wrong with your pet. We’ve reached the end of the article, “My Dog is vaccinated, and it bit me; Should I be worried?” Kindly stay tuned for more articles that relate to the topic; my dog is vaccinated, but it bit me should I be worried. You might find the article: Vaccinating Your Dog: What You Need To Know
