Am I at risk for rabies from a new puppy that bites me.?!


Question: Two days ago I picked up a puppy that was listed in the classifieds as giveaway. This puppy had been kept outside, in northern West Virginia, and has not had any shots. When I picked up the puppy, wich is 10 weeks old, his stomach was bloated. After giving him some worm medicine, his stomach shrank down overnight. Today, about an hour after I had taken the puppy out, he peed on the floor, and I said sternly "no" When I reached for the puppy to show him why I was telling him no, he started squeeling very loudly and bolted accross the room. I went and picked him up, not saying anything, and him yipping all the while. When I went to set him down by where he had his accident, he was able to bite my finger (I didnt have a tight grip as I didn't think it necessary. The bite took off a chunk of my finger the size of an eraser. I have cleaned the wound, but am worried if the puppy might have had rabies. Also, other than this one incident and the swollen belly, the puppy has been playfull.


Answers: Two days ago I picked up a puppy that was listed in the classifieds as giveaway. This puppy had been kept outside, in northern West Virginia, and has not had any shots. When I picked up the puppy, wich is 10 weeks old, his stomach was bloated. After giving him some worm medicine, his stomach shrank down overnight. Today, about an hour after I had taken the puppy out, he peed on the floor, and I said sternly "no" When I reached for the puppy to show him why I was telling him no, he started squeeling very loudly and bolted accross the room. I went and picked him up, not saying anything, and him yipping all the while. When I went to set him down by where he had his accident, he was able to bite my finger (I didnt have a tight grip as I didn't think it necessary. The bite took off a chunk of my finger the size of an eraser. I have cleaned the wound, but am worried if the puppy might have had rabies. Also, other than this one incident and the swollen belly, the puppy has been playfull.

The puppy wouldn't have rabies, it was probably just scared, or has had bad experiences with people so far and panicked. If he had rabies, he would be foaming and shaking and would be clumsy...and would NOT have moments of clarity. Believe me, you're fine~!

It could be possible you should definitely check with your Doctor!

Better safe than sorry...go to the doctor to get a shot, and then take your puppy to the veterinarian to get it shots.

Here are rabies symptoms. It sounds like he felt threatened and went into fight or flight mode. You could have an infection from the bite though. Have you taken him to the vet yet? He will need his shots, you know.

It is possible. The only way to check a dog for rabies is to do tests to his brain.. but the dog does not survive this. They kill them first! So... that is probably not an option! I would call your DR. See if they can give you shots or what they suggest. Call your vet too and see what they have to say. Good luck!

It is unlikely the puppy has rabies, but I do know of a litter that a rabid skunk got in the backyard and all but one of them tested positive for rabies. All the new owners had to get go through rabies protocal. If the puppy hasn't been to the vet, take him and have him checked over. He can get his rabies shot at 12 to 16 weeks depending on the vaccine.





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