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Today There Was A Dog On The Loose With No

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Posted on Fri, 31 Jan 2020
Question: Today there was a dog on the loose with no collar. He was very friendly and well trained and looked well groomed. I got out of my car and the small dog jumped on me. No scratches but he did briefly lick my ankle. I have no sign of open wound on ankle however I do have one scabbed over wound. Not sure who’s dog it was but I’m scared now that what if it had rabies and transmitted it to me by licking my ankle?? Do you think I’m at risk at all? Happened in a nice neighborhood but dog had no collar and now I’m scaring myself.
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Today there was a dog on the loose with no collar. He was very friendly and well trained and looked well groomed. I got out of my car and the small dog jumped on me. No scratches but he did briefly lick my ankle. I have no sign of open wound on ankle however I do have one scabbed over wound. Not sure who’s dog it was but I’m scared now that what if it had rabies and transmitted it to me by licking my ankle?? Do you think I’m at risk at all? Happened in a nice neighborhood but dog had no collar and now I’m scaring myself.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Most probably no need for rabies vaccination.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor service.
I read your query and here is my advice.
I don't think you are at risk of rabies and neither you need a rabies vaccination.
The dog didn't bite you and he licked you near a scabbed over wound which can be considered almost closed. ( if possible send me a photo of the scabbed over wound).
You can wash the licked skin with soap and water. This can be enough prevention.
Also the dog didn't had rabies symptoms and was friendly and trained.
So as a conclusion you may not need rabies vaccination.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Most probably no need for rabies vaccination.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor service.
I read your query and here is my advice.
I don't think you are at risk of rabies and neither you need a rabies vaccination.
The dog didn't bite you and he licked you near a scabbed over wound which can be considered almost closed. ( if possible send me a photo of the scabbed over wound).
You can wash the licked skin with soap and water. This can be enough prevention.
Also the dog didn't had rabies symptoms and was friendly and trained.
So as a conclusion you may not need rabies vaccination.

Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (4 hours later)
Thank you.
So you’re saying, if the dog had rabies it would have likely been aggressive and showing other symptoms. Also, I have attached a photo of the area where I was licked, do you see any risk with this area?
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Thank you.
So you’re saying, if the dog had rabies it would have likely been aggressive and showing other symptoms. Also, I have attached a photo of the area where I was licked, do you see any risk with this area?
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)
I also just found this very small scab. Not sure if I had it before. Could it be the tip of the dogs nail? I didn’t feel any scratches or pain though. it’s also now scabbed over. Looks to just be on the surface, even if it was from a dogs nail would I be at any risk because it is very very small? Does it even look like it could be from a dogs nail at all or just a random one?
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
I also just found this very small scab. Not sure if I had it before. Could it be the tip of the dogs nail? I didn’t feel any scratches or pain though. it’s also now scabbed over. Looks to just be on the surface, even if it was from a dogs nail would I be at any risk because it is very very small? Does it even look like it could be from a dogs nail at all or just a random one?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No need for rabies vaccination.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I see the photos you attached and a very small scabbed over skin is seen. The scratch you say is almost unnoticed. This part of skin is almost untouched and it means that you don't need rabies vaccination.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
No need for rabies vaccination.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I see the photos you attached and a very small scabbed over skin is seen. The scratch you say is almost unnoticed. This part of skin is almost untouched and it means that you don't need rabies vaccination.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)
Okay so you’re saying even if that little dot I pointed out was from the dog, I would not be affected by rabies if the dog was even rabid?

Also, this dog was acting perfectly normal. Are rapid dogs usually more aggressive etc?
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Okay so you’re saying even if that little dot I pointed out was from the dog, I would not be affected by rabies if the dog was even rabid?

Also, this dog was acting perfectly normal. Are rapid dogs usually more aggressive etc?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You didn't had direct contact with it's saliva.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
The skin is almost intact the scabbed skin is closed ,this means that your mucosal lining didn't have contact to it's saliva. This means that even if dog was rabid you wouldn't have been infected.

If the dog was rabid then it would act strangely, being irritated,and aggressive.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
You didn't had direct contact with it's saliva.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
The skin is almost intact the scabbed skin is closed ,this means that your mucosal lining didn't have contact to it's saliva. This means that even if dog was rabid you wouldn't have been infected.

If the dog was rabid then it would act strangely, being irritated,and aggressive.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)
Okay. And just to clarify, even if it is a surface cut like that, if it was open yesterday and scabbed over today, if saliva was in the open pin point dot, would it be able to reach my mucus lining or does the wound have to be much deeper than that?

I’m just not sure if that dot was there yesterday and was fresh when dog was there or not as I see it scabbed over today and did not notice it before?

Should I be worried or does the wound have to be pretty open and severe to reach the mucous membranes then the picture I’ve showed you?
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Okay. And just to clarify, even if it is a surface cut like that, if it was open yesterday and scabbed over today, if saliva was in the open pin point dot, would it be able to reach my mucus lining or does the wound have to be much deeper than that?

I’m just not sure if that dot was there yesterday and was fresh when dog was there or not as I see it scabbed over today and did not notice it before?

Should I be worried or does the wound have to be pretty open and severe to reach the mucous membranes then the picture I’ve showed you?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Not need for vacation.

Detailed Answer:
I believe that the wound was not open yesterday because it can't be healed so fast. If a real open wound should have been there and dog saliva was on it you may needed rabies vaccination.
I believe you don't need it but if you want you can do it .
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Not need for vacation.

Detailed Answer:
I believe that the wound was not open yesterday because it can't be healed so fast. If a real open wound should have been there and dog saliva was on it you may needed rabies vaccination.
I believe you don't need it but if you want you can do it .
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)
Okay thank you.
Does it usually take a few days for something to scab? The scab fell off today and it was sealed skin underneath. Do you think even thought this wound is so so small, it would’ve taken more than 24 hours for it to scab and grow fresh skin underneath despite its size?

I’ve also read that rabies does to reach a dogs saliva until the last stage of rabies and in this stage the dog has more serious obvious symptoms such as lock jaw and foaming at the mouth. Therefore, if he did have it, the dog wouldn’t be jumping and running and licking me and acting as well and happy as he was. It would have been pretty obvious to me if it was rabid?

Also, this dog was lost in my neighborhood but I’m not sure who it belonged to. Does every dog in Canada require rabies vaccinations anyways,
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Okay thank you.
Does it usually take a few days for something to scab? The scab fell off today and it was sealed skin underneath. Do you think even thought this wound is so so small, it would’ve taken more than 24 hours for it to scab and grow fresh skin underneath despite its size?

I’ve also read that rabies does to reach a dogs saliva until the last stage of rabies and in this stage the dog has more serious obvious symptoms such as lock jaw and foaming at the mouth. Therefore, if he did have it, the dog wouldn’t be jumping and running and licking me and acting as well and happy as he was. It would have been pretty obvious to me if it was rabid?

Also, this dog was lost in my neighborhood but I’m not sure who it belonged to. Does every dog in Canada require rabies vaccinations anyways,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Rabies vaccination is obligatory in Canada.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
A wound need several days to heal depending on it's dimentons and conditions.
Your wound may have required two or three days to scabb.
Dogs in Canada get rabies vaccination is obligatory in Canada. Some parts do it every year some every three years determined by provincial or state regulations.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Rabies vaccination is obligatory in Canada.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
A wound need several days to heal depending on it's dimentons and conditions.
Your wound may have required two or three days to scabb.
Dogs in Canada get rabies vaccination is obligatory in Canada. Some parts do it every year some every three years determined by provincial or state regulations.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (3 hours later)
Okay I see what you are saying.
So basically there is no chance the wound could have been open because it would not heal that fast. And I do not need to worry about rabies.
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Okay I see what you are saying.
So basically there is no chance the wound could have been open because it would not heal that fast. And I do not need to worry about rabies.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The wound wouldn't be healed that fast.

Detailed Answer:
Yes you understand t right. The wound wouldn't have been healed that fast.
There is no risk for rabies.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
The wound wouldn't be healed that fast.

Detailed Answer:
Yes you understand t right. The wound wouldn't have been healed that fast.
There is no risk for rabies.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)
Thank you for your reassurance.

I have OCD about this. Is the only real risk to contract rabies through animals that are rabid? For example, am I ever at risk on a day to day basis say if someone at my university has rabies and has spit on the desk, or has dog saliva on them that has now transferred to their desk, now if I sit there and have my hands on the same desk and lick my finger or something, will I be at risk of contracting rabies? Or does this not happen?
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Thank you for your reassurance.

I have OCD about this. Is the only real risk to contract rabies through animals that are rabid? For example, am I ever at risk on a day to day basis say if someone at my university has rabies and has spit on the desk, or has dog saliva on them that has now transferred to their desk, now if I sit there and have my hands on the same desk and lick my finger or something, will I be at risk of contracting rabies? Or does this not happen?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Very rare or impossible event.

Detailed Answer:
The probability that you contract rabies from the saliva of infected animal that has been on a desk is very low almost impossible.
The rabies virus is very fragile and in direct light can die in 10 minutes.
Contacting rabies from humans is very rare almost impossible.
So as a conclusion contracting rabies from humans is almost impossible and contracting rabies from saliva in a desk is impossible.
This event is not much likely to happen.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Very rare or impossible event.

Detailed Answer:
The probability that you contract rabies from the saliva of infected animal that has been on a desk is very low almost impossible.
The rabies virus is very fragile and in direct light can die in 10 minutes.
Contacting rabies from humans is very rare almost impossible.
So as a conclusion contracting rabies from humans is almost impossible and contracting rabies from saliva in a desk is impossible.
This event is not much likely to happen.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (3 hours later)
Okay I’m sorry for all these questions!! But when I was showering today I noticed this minor scratch on my ankle, not sure if I got it from dog or after? I felt no pain when dog was around. Anyways, there is no bleeding and doesn’t look like it’s Broke they skin but I’m scared that I had it when I was w dog and maybe he licked me on it or scratched me and I didn’t know? Am I at risk? I attached a photo
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Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Okay I’m sorry for all these questions!! But when I was showering today I noticed this minor scratch on my ankle, not sure if I got it from dog or after? I felt no pain when dog was around. Anyways, there is no bleeding and doesn’t look like it’s Broke they skin but I’m scared that I had it when I was w dog and maybe he licked me on it or scratched me and I didn’t know? Am I at risk? I attached a photo
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Doesn't seem of any risk.

Detailed Answer:
I see the photo you attached and it doesn't seem that you are at risk of anything.
You have also been asking lots of follow up questions so it would be advisable to ask another question.
If you want me to answer it you can write,to be answered by Dr Olgeta Xhufka.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Doesn't seem of any risk.

Detailed Answer:
I see the photo you attached and it doesn't seem that you are at risk of anything.
You have also been asking lots of follow up questions so it would be advisable to ask another question.
If you want me to answer it you can write,to be answered by Dr Olgeta Xhufka.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Dr. Olgeta Xhufka

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Practicing since :2011

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Today There Was A Dog On The Loose With No

Today there was a dog on the loose with no collar. He was very friendly and well trained and looked well groomed. I got out of my car and the small dog jumped on me. No scratches but he did briefly lick my ankle. I have no sign of open wound on ankle however I do have one scabbed over wound. Not sure who’s dog it was but I’m scared now that what if it had rabies and transmitted it to me by licking my ankle?? Do you think I’m at risk at all? Happened in a nice neighborhood but dog had no collar and now I’m scaring myself.