My dog bit me a week ago and it died of parvovirus. Are there any chances for me to acquire rabies?

Question

Hi doctor,

What is the possibility of rabies if a 2-month-old unvaccinated dog that bit me dies of parvovirus infection within a week after the bite?

My 2-month-old pup bit me by mistake while playing with other puppies. After two days, I found my dog sick, often vomiting, and it was not eating. I took my dog to the veterinarian, who concluded that it was parvovirus. Soon he started becoming sicker and sicker with bloody stools, more vomit, etc., and died in four days after becoming ill and seven days after biting me. I had my concerns about rabies, so I took the dead dog to check for rabies, but the veterinarian refused to say because there were no rabies symptoms, and they could not waste resources. He bit my palm close to my wrist, and it was just a minor wound that healed within two days. There is no pain in that area or any discomfort. But just because a dog that bit me died, I am paranoid about getting rabies.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your concern in detail and will surely help you out.

The chances of you acquiring rabies are impossible. I will state the reasons.

1. The dog was your pet. Pet dogs rarely acquire rabies if they have been exposed to rabid dogs.

2. It has been more than seven days. If you had rabies, you would have started showing symptoms by now.

3. I agree with your veterinarian that your puppy's symptoms do not correlate much to rabies but parvovirus infection.

4. Your bite and the wound were only minor. The chances of transfer of rabies virus in a minor wound are 0.01%.

I guess these are more than sufficient reasons to believe you are safe. Do not worry, relax you are going to be fine.

If you have any more doubts, feel free to contact me anytime.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have read your concern in detail and will help you out.

It is very much possible that the virus is incubating. But in most cases, symptoms appear within seven days. Even if not all, a few symptoms do appear, like fever. Getting a rabies vaccine is not harmful. It will protect you from the slightest possibility of you having rabies. Vaccines are always preventive. There is no harm in taking the vaccine. But as far as my experience says, nothing will happen to you. You are going to live a long and healthy life.

Take care.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.

My dog bit me a week ago and it died of parvovirus. Are there any chances for me to acquire rabies?

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