Concerns over diseases - dog ate dead bird

[lillipilli]

Sooooo…. i know this is really random. I don’t even know where to start or what to say. This is my first pregnancy after 7 years TTC and three rounds of IVF. It has not been a straightforward pregnancy either and I am full of anxiety.

I took my dog out for a walk and he just ate something from a pile of grey (assume pigeon?) feathers. Normally when there is feathers he might sniff, and I could not see anything visible there and let him sniff it but a few seconds later I realised he was eating something (I could not see what it was, it was small but chewy!). I still don’t know what part of that dead bird (I guess it was killed by a fox or a red kite, we live in the country) he ate….

I am concerned about his well-being of course but even more so about him potentially transmitting any diseases from the bird and harming my future baby. I am besides worry and can’t bring myself to wipe dogs mouth or to feed / play with him. I know it’s not his fault but I had a few stressful weeks and this is just crushing me.

am I overreacting?

You should be fine as long as you keep away from the dog's poo and its mouth - just normal hand hygiene should be fine. Most diseases/bacteria are spread via the faeces, so use gloves/wash your hands and you'll be fine. Our dog recently had a campylobacter infection- probably from eating chicken poo. We didn't realise until she got diarhorea. It took a week to get results from vets, during which time the four of us were handling her, feeding her, kissing her (I know ... I know ...). We never caught anything from her. Try not to worry. Normal hygiene and not letting the dog lick your face will keep you safe. If the dog develops diarrhoea or vomits then obviously get the vet involved.

As long as you don’t give him mouth to mouth you and baby will be fine!

Dogs eat all sorts. You'll be fine!

I’m a vet. It’s understandable that you’re worried, but I don’t think you need to worry so much. Dogs eat this sort of thing all the time, they evolved as scavengers, and are rarely ill as a result. This could have happened without you seeing and you’d never have known. As @kitnkaboodle said, observe normal hygiene and take him to the vet if he becomes unwell. Chances are he will be fine, and even if he’s unwell you would be very unlucky to be infected even if you weren’t being careful, which you are being.

thank you so much for your time to reply to this post, this is really reassuring!

I think it’s just because my anxiety around the pregnancy through the roof I can no longer seem to think clearly.

Thanks for all of your replies, i definitely feel better now and yes; no kisses or mouth to mouth with the dog! Will have to ban my husband from doing it too (or won’t kiss husband if he refuses)

Worming?

"If your dog eats a sick or dead birds infected with bird flu viruses, they could become infected with bird flu. If your dog is showing symptoms compatible with bird flu virus infection and has been exposed to infected (sick or dead) wild birds/poultry – then you should monitor its health and contact your vet"

www.scotsman.com/health/bird-flu-can-dogs-get-bird-flu-top-tips-for-dog-owners-amid-avian-flu-outbreak-3780559

My two terrors regularly eat dead things, it's vile.

I give them a probiotic immediately afterwards to help with any potential tummy upsets, and if it is something freshly dead, I give them a flea treatment and possibly a wormer too.

They are normally fine btw :)

Your dog will probably be fine, but just keep an eye on them. I'm noticing a lot more dead pigeons around in my local woods.

Link to UK website with updated Avian Flu outbreak sites etc so you could check your location?

www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#:~:text=Highly%20pathogenic%20avian%20influenza%20(HPAI)%20H5N1%20was%20confirmed%20on%2019,Surveillance%20Zone%20has%20been%20revoked.

Thank you, chances it was not dead for a very long time (I hope so anyway) and probably mostly carcass left (I could not see anything at all other than a few feathers) but need to give him a worming tablet anyway so will do it tomorrow!

Ah, thanks for letting me know, that’s a bit scary. I am hoping that it was a healthy bird as looked like something attacked it / ate it first - most likely a fox. So it was very much remnants of something rather than a full body. Avian flu is scary though. Hopefully won’t get anything like that yikes