Dog Fight Rabies Vacc?

ShayLH

I tend to lurk on this board, but was wondering if I could get advice as Im about to have a breakdown.

Was walking my dog last night in my neighborhood as I always do.  Another neighbor was "walking" his dog without a leash.  This neighbor does this all the time. 

His dog saw mine and charged up to her.  I tried to pull my dog back but unfortunately she must of felt threatened and they both lunged at each other and locked jaws.  I panicked and stupidly out of instinct, grabbed my dogs mouth and pulled her away, resulting in me getting bit by both dogs.  I now have 10 deep puncture wounds on both hands and a crush fracture of my right thumb.  Im in a ton of pain.

The neighbor also sustained a minor wound.  I asked if his dog was up to date on shots he said yes, as did I.  He knocked on my door tonight and wanted proof of the Rabies vaccinaton and I said no problem Id drop it off at his home as soon as I pulled the records. 

I went into my dogs records, and thought I had gotten the 3 year Rabies vaccine, however, it was not and only the yearly one.  My other two dogs have the 3 year one.

Needless to say, my dog is 6 months overdue on her vaccination.  Im freaking out.  I really dont know what to do.  Can the vaccine still be good?  Can she be titered for it?  Should the neighbor just get a rabies shot at his doctor? 

Ive never been in this situation and Im so afraid for my dog.  Im not going to lie to the neighbor, and Im calling the vet tomorrow to see what to do. 

Can someone please ease my mind?  I myself am in such pain, now Im afraid for my dog.  Sorry for the long post.  Any advice would be appreciated.

spalko

As you already stated, do not lie about anything! It'll only make the situation worse. I would explain to your neighbor, in person, the mistake that was made and that you intend to have the animal vaccinated. By law, dogs have to have a rabies vaccine and if the neighbor reports you, you can be fined for not having an up to date vaccine. I live in Michigan, so the law here states that after a dog bite an animal must be quarantined for 10 days post bite to ensure the animal does not have rabies or if the owner is unwilling to do that euthansize is the other option. Assuming your neighbor does not press any sort of charges, my guess would be that nothing will come of it. Talk to your vet and see what they suggest you do, my guess is nothing serious will come of this! Did the hospital report the bite?

ShayLH

Thanks for the advice thats what I suspected.  I called the vet and they gave me good advice as well.  I know the other owner will not press charges (have been talking with him) since he was also "breaking the law" by walking his dog without a leash.  Also, I sustained the worst of the injuries, he has a small tooth mark in a finger. 

Nevertheless, we are both in the wrong here.  Ill never assume again thats for sure.

Thanks again!

cs026a

I'm glad you talked to your vet, hopefully you got good advice! Would you be able to share what the outcome was? 

I would think they may be able to draw titers, but if not then everyone bitten may need to be treated for it.

Sorry, that must of been a scary situation! I'm thinking of carrying some sort of doggy pepper spray or something, as we are very rural and occasionally completely stray dogs (or simply neighbors unleashed dogs) come up to us as we're walking. It always kinda freaks me out and I turn around and go home.  

bekahdrum

I may be wrong since your vet did not say anything, and I know there are other people on here who work in vet clinics, but our vet told me in the past that 3 year and 1 year vaccine is the same thing.  They only give it again after 1 yr when the dogs are your to make sure it took (like some other puppy vaccines).  Again I might be completely off, but you might ask your vet that specifically.

spalko

bekahdrum:

I may be wrong since your vet did not say anything, and I know there are other people on here who work in vet clinics, but our vet told me in the past that 3 year and 1 year vaccine is the same thing.  They only give it again after 1 yr when the dogs are your to make sure it took (like some other puppy vaccines).  Again I might be completely off, but you might ask your vet that specifically.

It is the same vaccine, in our clinic we use the 3 year for the 1 year but the only issue with that is because it was given as a '1 year' vaccine that might become an issue. If no one is pressing charges then I wouldn't worry about anything from there. Rabies titers can be done but its about $200 to run (at least at our clinic) so if no one is neither party is making a fuss I wouldn't worry too much.

If you went to the hospital, legally they have to report any dog bite even if it is from your own dog and since another dog was involved I would think they would report it. I got bit recently at work and it was a big deal with the police and what not even though it was an isolated incident.

aggiebug

spalko:

bekahdrum:

I may be wrong since your vet did not say anything, and I know there are other people on here who work in vet clinics, but our vet told me in the past that 3 year and 1 year vaccine is the same thing.  They only give it again after 1 yr when the dogs are your to make sure it took (like some other puppy vaccines).  Again I might be completely off, but you might ask your vet that specifically.

It is the same vaccine, in our clinic we use the 3 year for the 1 year but the only issue with that is because it was given as a '1 year' vaccine that might become an issue. If no one is pressing charges then I wouldn't worry about anything from there. Rabies titers can be done but its about $200 to run (at least at our clinic) so if no one is neither party is making a fuss I wouldn't worry too much.

If you went to the hospital, legally they have to report any dog bite even if it is from your own dog and since another dog was involved I would think they would report it. I got bit recently at work and it was a big deal with the police and what not even though it was an isolated incident.

 

and to add to this it depends on the laws of the county/ city that this incident took place.  Some still require a 1 yr vaccine even though vaccines are labeled for 3yrs and you would still be considered unvaccinated if it had been over a year but less than 3 in that situation.   

RedheadBaker

aggiebug:

spalko:

bekahdrum:

I may be wrong since your vet did not say anything, and I know there are other people on here who work in vet clinics, but our vet told me in the past that 3 year and 1 year vaccine is the same thing.  They only give it again after 1 yr when the dogs are your to make sure it took (like some other puppy vaccines).  Again I might be completely off, but you might ask your vet that specifically.

It is the same vaccine, in our clinic we use the 3 year for the 1 year but the only issue with that is because it was given as a '1 year' vaccine that might become an issue. If no one is pressing charges then I wouldn't worry about anything from there. Rabies titers can be done but its about $200 to run (at least at our clinic) so if no one is neither party is making a fuss I wouldn't worry too much.

If you went to the hospital, legally they have to report any dog bite even if it is from your own dog and since another dog was involved I would think they would report it. I got bit recently at work and it was a big deal with the police and what not even though it was an isolated incident.

 

and to add to this it depends on the laws of the county/ city that this incident took place.  Some still require a 1 yr vaccine even though vaccines are labeled for 3yrs and you would still be considered unvaccinated if it had been over a year but less than 3 in that situation.   

Pennsylvania allows the 3-year vaccine. 

aggiebug

RedheadBaker:

aggiebug:

spalko:

bekahdrum:

I may be wrong since your vet did not say anything, and I know there are other people on here who work in vet clinics, but our vet told me in the past that 3 year and 1 year vaccine is the same thing.  They only give it again after 1 yr when the dogs are your to make sure it took (like some other puppy vaccines).  Again I might be completely off, but you might ask your vet that specifically.

It is the same vaccine, in our clinic we use the 3 year for the 1 year but the only issue with that is because it was given as a '1 year' vaccine that might become an issue. If no one is pressing charges then I wouldn't worry about anything from there. Rabies titers can be done but its about $200 to run (at least at our clinic) so if no one is neither party is making a fuss I wouldn't worry too much.

If you went to the hospital, legally they have to report any dog bite even if it is from your own dog and since another dog was involved I would think they would report it. I got bit recently at work and it was a big deal with the police and what not even though it was an isolated incident.

 

and to add to this it depends on the laws of the county/ city that this incident took place.  Some still require a 1 yr vaccine even though vaccines are labeled for 3yrs and you would still be considered unvaccinated if it had been over a year but less than 3 in that situation.   

Pennsylvania allows the 3-year vaccine. 

That doesn't surprise me given the info in the original post, but since this place has posters all over the US I felt it important to make that clear. Rabies laws are quite variable for good reason so the best person to ask what to do is your local veterinarian. (and this info was just as much for lurkers/ readers of this post as it was for op)

NalasMomma618

Like PPs said the rabies vaccines are the same, but in order for it to last 3 years the pet has to have had the vaccine before. The first time they get it, they dont' have enough in their system for it to last 3 years. That's how my vet explained it to me.

DanniLynn88

They used to do a 5 year vaccine which was the same as the one and three year. It's all the same shot, so you are protected a lot longer but my understanding is they stopped doing the 5 year because they saw dogs could get rabies towards the end. 

Erinm278

I agree with all PP.  I just wanted to add that ythe other owner is required to walk their dog on a leash.  It is a law where I live.  This whole situation would have been avoided if that pet owner were more responsible.  I would say something to him about that.