My neighbor's dog bit someone. Should I report it or talk to them?

If you got bit by your neighbor's dog, I would recommend going to your doctor to have the wound evaluated. They are the only ones that can tell you if you need antibiotics. I would make sure your dog is on a leash at all times so you can help your dog avoid this type of situation. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If Austin has had his rabies vaccine you should be fine. But you should contact your local health department and talk to a human physician. If Austin has Rabies in the transmissible form (in the salivary glands) then he will show neurologic signs for rabies with in 10 days. Keep him quarantined for 10 days. If he dies from any cause he should be tested for Rabies if it is before the 10 days quarantine. Always keep your pets up to date on rabies and prevent them interacting with wild life and unvaccinated pets. I wish you the best!

Hello, thank you for your question about Romeo. Although I cannot say for sure what the laws are regarding this matter in India. As long as the dog didn't break the skin and is up to date on his vaccines, the boy should not need any vaccinations. However, I do recommend discussing this matter with a human physician. Hope this helps!

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It sounds like the bite wound has become infected. Bite wounds typically require the attention of a veterinarian. If the wound is deep enough, it may require stitches and prescription antibiotics if it is infected. Depending on your local animal control and rabies laws, your puppy may need a rabies vaccine now and then a booster in 6 months. I would be sure to have Puppy seen by a veterinarian right away so he can have this wound evaluated.

The biggest concern with a dog bite is the potential for the spread of rabies. I assume that you were already told this and this would be the reason for needing to involve animal control. In the vast majority of cases, there is no need to euthanize the dog and it depends on the risk of the dog having rabies (it is often a small chance). The only reason that Osito would need to be euthanized is if he has a big risk of carrying the disease. The reason for euthanizing is that there is only one way to diagnose rabies, which involves testing the brain. Since rabies is 100% fatal, there are occasions when a dog is euthanized in order to potentially save a person's life. I know this answer is still a bit vague and that's because it really depends on the circumstance. He will definitely need to be quarantined (might be able to do this at home), but I would not be too worried about him being euthanized against your will. It's best to call Animal Control, so you can get more information and ensure everyone is safe. Below is a link to more information about the protocol followed after a dog bite. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/specific_groups/veterinarians/person_bitten.html I hope that helps and all is well with all involved.

A dog must be infected with rabies to give it to someone. If Tyson has been vaccinated against rabies, then he will not spread the disease. Any dog, even if they have been with you since birth, can get rabies. If an animal with rabies bites Tyson, he can be infected and spread it to you. Signs of rabies in dogs can include aggression, trouble drinking, dilated pupils, and drooling, which progress to coma and death. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccinations, the chance of you contracting rabies is incredibly low. What we recommend is to quarantine the dog who bit you (or have the owner of the dog quarantine it) for 10 days and monitor the dog for the development of any abnormal neurologic signs. If the dog is completely normal after 10 days from the time you were bit, you are in the clear. If the dog becomes sick at all in that time frame, or if you become sick at all, I recommend contacting your doctor. I hope this is helpful - best of luck!