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Can Rabies Be Contracted If Dogs Licks An Open Wound?
Question: Hi, I had an incident a few days ago where I noticed my dog toying and barking at a bat outside on the ground, this was early in the morning when the sun was down still. I walked outside and shooed the dog away and shoveled the bat over the fence. However, while walking back inside, my dog licked me on a blister on the back of my foot. I'm worried about this: Could the dog have transferred rabies from the bat to me? My dog has all his shots up to date so I'm not worried about him. I also never saw the dog with the bat in its mouth entirely.
Brief Answer:
Unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern. You are unlikely to be infected.
It is only possible if the bat was carrying the virus, had bitten the dog in the mouth or contaminated the oral secretion of the dog with its secretion and the dog transferred these secretions to your wound.
The probability of all these sequences is very small.
If you are worried, you can take anti rabies vaccine in the past exposure schedule.
Unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern. You are unlikely to be infected.
It is only possible if the bat was carrying the virus, had bitten the dog in the mouth or contaminated the oral secretion of the dog with its secretion and the dog transferred these secretions to your wound.
The probability of all these sequences is very small.
If you are worried, you can take anti rabies vaccine in the past exposure schedule.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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