Question:
One of my dogs caught and killed a squirrel today I'm so upset I can't even say her name ... anyway, now I'm afraid that she could get sick as she had blood in her mouth << sorry to say this in detail but don't you catch rabbies through saliva as well if in fact the squirrel had the virus?

She is up-to-date with her vaccines - is that safe enough? What should I be looking for just in case?

Answer:
Last year my husky caught and killed a marmot that was dumb enough to come into our fenced yard. He was 5 months old at the time and had his rabies shot. The marmot managed to bite him on the leg and I was as upset as you are. I washed and cleaned his wound the best I could and phoned the vet. She said not to worry as rabies wasn't a concern. She did stop by on her way home though and shaved his leg so we could make sure it was thoroughly cleaned.

Unless rabies is highly prevalent in your area, I doubt that the squirrel had it. The only way you'd know for sure is if you got it tested. In B.C. they only test if it's highly suspected.

Answer:
This quote is from the center of disease contol ( CDC) in the US


3. Q: What is the risk of rabies from squirrels, mice, rats, and other rodents?

A: Small rodents (such as squirrels, rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and chipmunks, ) and lagomorphs (such as rabbits and hares) are almost never found to be infected with rabies and have not been known to cause rabies among humans in the United States. Bites by these animals are usually not considered a risk of rabies unless the animal was sick or behaving in any unusual manner and rabies is widespread in your area. However, from 1985 through 1994, woodchucks accounted for 86% of the 368 cases of rabies among rodents reported to CDC. Woodchucks or groundhogs (Marmota monax) are the only rodents that may be frequently submitted to state health department because of a suspicion of rabies. In all cases involving rodents, the state or local health department should be consulted before a decision is made to initiate postexposure prophylaxis (PEP).



Answer:
My darling pup suffers from the squirrel-lust as well. When I contacted the vet, they said that the only thing to really worry about is worms, so she recieved a general de worming pill.

Answer:
I feel a bit relieved, thank you. She wasn't exactly up the par yesterday - she was limping a bit and seemed a little more tired then usual, maybe it was just the heat as ate as usual. I'll keep my eye closer on her but will ask the vet if she should take a de-worming pill.

Answer: