rabies questions

• rabies questions mondayblues Posted : 12/15/2006 5:49:31 AM Can you get rabies from superficial scratches (those that do not bleed and do not come into contact with possible infected saliva)? How effective is the rabies vaccine in dogs? Will the first shot already provide good immunity against the disease? In addition, why do you need to re-vaccinate every three years if you have already given the main shot?    LIKE 5 REPLIES 206 VIEWS LAST POST MONDAYBLUES Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• mrv Posted : 12/15/2006 6:57:06 AM I do not know the exact transmission requirements, but mucus membranes may be at risk so a high level of caution would be appropriate.  Another factor involves the life and stability of the virus outside the body.    I am sure more complete answers could be found on a search of the CDC or other health related website. There are multiple studies that the 7 year vaccines are adequate but most regulations concerning rabies require the one year or three year protocals. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Mookies Mom Posted : 12/15/2006 11:05:25 AM I would call your physician about that one. I had to go through the series of vacines 10 years ago as a precaution. I was asleep and my ferocious feline launched himself off my dresser in hot pursuit of a bat. Being the fabulous hunter that he is, he caught it squarely on my back. Yep, talk about a rude awakening. There was no way to determine whether it was the bat or the cat who scratched me, so since rabies is 100% fatal, my family doc took the better safe than sorry approach. (The bat was sent in for testing but by the time it got to the State health dept. it had decomposed past the point where they could accurately test it.) 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• spiritdogs Posted : 12/15/2006 12:06:56 PM If there has been a possible exposure, don't take chances.  Speak to your vet and your physician.   0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• mudpuppy Posted : 12/15/2006 12:23:20 PM If you have come into contact with a rabid animal, you need a doctor ASAP. If someone's healthy vaccinated pet dog just scratched you, I wouldn't worry. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• mondayblues Posted : 12/15/2006 11:50:37 PM Call it paranoia.[&:] My own dog did it after an overzealous play-bow. It wouldn't be the first time she's done it to anyone, though. (She's adopted and so far she has only had the first set of rabies shots -- assuming she has not been vaccinated prior to being rescued by her foster home.) I was able to talk to a vet, and she said scratches were highly unlikely to be the cause of a rabies transmission (especially ones that don't break the skin), and that contaminated saliva would have had to come into contact with the scratches for the virus to have been transmitted.   Thanks for the replies!  0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login