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My vaccinated dog ate a squirrel head. Should I worry about rabies?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Border Collie | Male | neutered

We have had a 13 striped ground squirrel in our yard this year. I was outside with my dog when he picked something up and walked away with it. It was the head of the ground squirrel Body was completely gone. I told the dog to drop, which he did. I then bagged the head threw it away. I am not sure if my dog caught it and killed it and ate it or if he found it dead and ate it. What are chances for Rabies? He is vaccinated.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 19th, 2018

Since your dog is vaccinated against rabies (and if the vaccination is up to date) he is protected and will not contract rabies. It is also very unlikely that this squirrel had rabies. However, should your dog get a fever within the next 6 or 7 days , you should take him to the vet as squirrels can carry tularemia and the plague, which caan be transmitted to people and are potentially fatal diseases. They can be treated with antibiotics.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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