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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

Dog bitten by a fox- should I be worried about rabies? Semi-urgent!

27 replies

fluffygal · 20/08/2012 00:37

A fox attacked my greyhound tonight and bit deep Holes in his face. Unfortunately for the fox he picked the wrong dog and my grey managed to kill him. He went into shock but is now resting, although his cuts are still weeping blood. We are a bit worried now thoug about the risk of rabies? My oh cleaned our grey up so did get blood on his hands (probably from both animals) and I have been tending to his wounds this evening, are we at risk? What should we do? Does the dog need checking out? He recently had his yearly jabs so would he be covered?

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lljkk · 20/08/2012 00:50

Is this in the UK? Didn't think any wild animals in UK had rabies.
Would have thought call to vet in morning is in order.

MmeLindor · 20/08/2012 00:54

oh, poor baby.

According to this website foxes in UK don't have rabies.

I would certainly take him to the vet to have him checked over tomorrow. Hope he is ok.

tabulahrasa · 20/08/2012 00:55

In the UK? Rabies isn't an issue at all.

I'd be a bit worried if he's still bleeding though, how long ago did it happen?

fluffygal · 20/08/2012 00:55

Yes in the uk. A lady died of rabies in the uk a couple of months ago. Dogs are vaccinated against it so presume its still around?

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MmeLindor · 20/08/2012 00:59

Just looked that up. The only incidences of rabies in the UK in the past 100 years have been people who have caught it abroad. The woman who died earlier this year caught it in South Asia, after being bitten by a dog. BBC

Presume that the dog vaccination is a precautionary measure.

fluffygal · 20/08/2012 01:01

Oh good about rabies! Will take him to the vets in the morning, they are pretty deep cuts. It happened about 9pm. The fox grabbed him round the jaw and was hanging off him, jumped out of the bushes! If he wasn't such a strong dog or te fox had got his neck I don't think he would still be with us.

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fluffygal · 20/08/2012 01:06

He was panting non stop for half an hour, shaking. He looks very sorry for himself, I hate seeing him like this.

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lljkk · 20/08/2012 01:07

Am not a dog person but am a bit worried that he sounds like he could be in mild shock. Keep him warm & quiet.

tabulahrasa · 20/08/2012 01:14

To be honest if he's still bleeding from pretty deep cuts 4 hours after it happened - I think he needs a vet, especially if he's been panting and shaking.

If that's really really not an option, keep him warm and lying down until you can get one first thing.

fluffygal · 20/08/2012 01:18

Thanks for your concern, I think he was in shock. He stopped shaking and panting about half hour after it happened. He has been lying down since he got back from the walk and we have disinfected the cuts. Will definitely take him to the vets in the morning.

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PurpleFrog · 20/08/2012 09:22

What a shock! I hope he is OK this morning.

As far as I am aware, dogs are not routinely vaccinated against rabies in the UK. It is only if they will be travelling abroad that they are vaccinated.

I think the only cases of rabies in animals in the UK I have heard of in recent years have been in bats, which can travel from the continent without the relevant paperwork!

lljkk · 20/08/2012 13:50

update?

fluffygal · 20/08/2012 14:00

Hi, took him to the vets this morning. His nose has ballooned up, really swollen. The vet has given him some pain killers and anti biotics for a week and we will see how it goes. He said worst case they will have to chop off blackened skin from bites and stitch together but he is hoping the anti biotics will clear It up enough not to do this. The cuts are still bleeding slowly.

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lljkk · 20/08/2012 14:07

Oh poor guy. Keep us posted.

Fosterangel · 20/08/2012 16:40

Not so much the rabies as a worry but more about the dirt and germs on the teeth of the fox. Antibiotics should do the trick and your got good advice about shock and keeping him quiet and warm. Encourage him to drink too as this weather can take the fluids out of poorly dogs. Sending warm vibes to you and grey and wishing for speedy recovery.

mumofthemonsters808 · 20/08/2012 16:51

I found this post disturbing, I did not think a fox would just jump out and bite,maybe it's cubs were in the bushes. I'll be a nervous wreck walking my boy tonight.He chases them and I just leave him to it, he is too fat and slow to catch one so it's never really bothered me.I do know they carry alot of disease though.

So glad your poor boy is ok, it must have been a huge shock to him and also you. There is never a dull moment when you have kids and/or animals something unexpected always happens.Keep your eye on him.

lljkk · 20/08/2012 16:55

I suspect dog attacked fox first.

sunflowerseeds · 20/08/2012 18:48

Does anyone seriously believe that the foxes which infest our cities could carry rabies? No, they don't and no, British dogs are not vaccinated against it, because there is no rabies here (except that rogue bat)

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 20/08/2012 18:52

He will probably need antibiotics.
Foxes have small pointy teeth and puncture wounds heal over quickly trapping infection inside.

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 20/08/2012 18:53

Missed last post
Sorry

fluffygal · 20/08/2012 19:39

Sorry sunflower I wasn't sure, hence I asked? I googled and could only find USA type info and they do have rabies so wanted to check by asking on here. That case of the woman who died of rabies was in my head also so surely best just to check? Also can't believe I am being accused of lying about a fox attacking my dog, why would I? Jeez! Believe me if my dog had got the fox first he wouldn't have had a chance to cause the damage he did.

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Morloth · 21/08/2012 03:51

I think you should go and check the area in case it was a vixen defending cubs.

fluffygal · 21/08/2012 07:04

My husband had a look when he was up there walking again yesterday. Very hard to look as its 6ft tall grassy wasteland but he tried.

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fluffygal · 21/08/2012 07:05

My husband had a look when he was up there walking again yesterday. Very hard to look as its 6ft tall grassy wasteland but he tried.

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fluffygal · 21/08/2012 09:07

I've been thinking about this as I was sure people had to get a shot if bit by a dog/similar and presumed it was something to do with rabies, but now I think about it, its a tetanus shot isn't it? Take it a dog doesn't have to have one if bit by a fox but is it safe to get covered in fox blood/saliva for humans? Normally people say foxes have diseases don't they? We all seem ok so guess we haven't caught anything.

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