rabies

[knicks10]

hello - I am writing with a question about rabies. About a week ago I was walking down the street (in the middle of a major city) when I saw a small dog about 20 yards away. The dog was alone, didn't have any collar on, looked reaslly dirty/matted hair, had what appeared to be a cut on their eye and was limping (either one or the back legs). I love animals but seeing a dog like that without a collar made me nervous for rabies so I continued to walk away, carrying a few bags of groceries. I saw the dog a little behind me, not bothering me, and I also saw some other people notice the dog, but no one came near it/didn't bother anyone. I stopped to get into my car, and when I turned around the small dog had gotten very close to me (appeared like it was following me). They weren't growling or anything, but was getting closer. When I turned around again, they were even closer...so I didn't know what else to do but took a few steps toward it and tried to scare it away, to which the dog took a few steps back and scampered back (does that mean he may not have had rabies, if they got scared/not aggresive when challenged?). I got in my car and drove away.

I know it sounds really paranoid, but I have a HUGE fear of rabid animals, and have never seen a dog alone that looked in that shape. It was a very small dog, and i'm having a lot of stress lately that maybe the dog could have potentially bit me/licked me when I wasn't looking/it snuck up behind me (I was wearing pants and distracted with all of my bags).

I asked my doctor if I needed to get the rabies vaccine to be safe, and they thought I was being paranoid and said I didn't...I didn't FEEL any major bites or see any bite marks/blood on my legs, but is it possible a small dogs bites I may not have felt it? Or licked me with the saliva (which I read does carry rabies), got on shoes (as it was licking around me/the ground and went home with the saliva on me, and my dog could potentially lick that (even though he's vaccinated), or transmitted it back to me?

Should I just forget about this, my stress getting the best of me? If I was bit/had a true situation where I was exposed to rabies, would I know it? I really appreciate anyone's help/advice...any cough/sniffle I get now I think the worst.

[BluCrystal]

You are very welcome.  And you are smart to never approach an animal that makes you nervous for any reason.  Diseases aside, they can cause you great physical harm if injured or scared. - Blu

[knicks10]

Thanks for your response...I did contact the local animal shelter right after I saw it and told them all the info/location...as mentioned above, didn't want to directly take the animal as I had concerns with rabies/signs it was showing. I appreciate your time and advice, thanks.

[BluCrystal]

There are ALOT of people who will ignore and/or fear a dog in this condition, sad as it is.  This one will obviously have to wait for the right person to come along and offer it salvation.  I honestly do not beleive that there was any chance of your contracting rabies in this case.  Rabid dogs are aggressive, and do not behave like 'normal' dogs.  This is because rabies infects the brain and causes severe malfunction in the neuro-pathways.  It is contracted by being bitten by another rabid animal, or by eating or drinking from the same source.  In your case, there is extremely little to no chance you were exposed.  This dog does not sound rabid to me, just scared and hungry and hurt.  Please contact your local animal control, and tell them where you saw the dog, so they can go get it and have it cared for. - Blu

[knicks10]

I did call the proper animal authorities as soon as I left and they told me they would go pick the dog up...I have just read not to approach any animal that has signs that it could have rabies.

[Misfits4Me]

So, NO one chose to help this sick, little, injured dog? Shame on you and everyone else that crossed his path!