My dog was bitten by a rat. Should I worry about rabies or infection?

If this is a rat bite there is a risk it will get infected, and it may turn into an abscess, or the infection may spread elsewhere, which can be dangerous to Bini’s health. Rats can carry a number of diseases that can be dangerous to humans as well, so I advise you to have Bini seen by a vet to address the potential bite. The area is likely very sore, and Bini will probably not let you clean it appropriately at home. Although rabies transmission from a rat bite is uncommon, it is not impossible, so your vet will need to address monitoring/vaccinating Bini accordingly. She may also need antibiotics, which can only be prescribed by a vet. Good luck!

Depending on the severity of the scratch (feel free to post a picture of it) Lily should be checked by your veterinarian. Antibiotics may be needed but extra vaccination shots are not. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any scratching (if any). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are usually needed. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Good job Jackson. Probably not but I would monitor Jackson closely since the rat could've scratched or bitten him somewhere. Rats and other rodents don't transmit rabies so that is not a concern. I would just watch for any areas that become swollen, painful, or have some discharge which could indicate infection from the rat scratching/biting. Good luck with Jackson.

If you checked Bella well and you cannot find any bite marks, then I would not worry as it is likely that she did not get bitten. A slow moving rat that does not run away is likely a sick or possibly poisoned rat. You may want to ask around your neighbors who is using rat poison and which one, just in case another poisoned rat strays on your lawn and Bella happens to eat it before you can dispatch it.

Please don't pet stray dogs. You don't know their vaccination history and if the dog has rabies you could die without getting proper treatment.......That being said, the chance of you getting rabies from what I see in the photos is pretty much zero. It is transferred by bites (saliva) that break the skin. You really should be consulting with a human doctor. We are not human doctors. Please, just don't pet animals with unknown rabies vaccination history.

Poor girl. Rats can carry some nasty diseases unfortunately, so it is best to wash this area with betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water for now and then I would go to your local pet store and rinse it also with an oral rinse that contains chlorhexidine. Ask the pet store employee and they should be able to point you in the right direction. This should be washed daily and then I would recommend scheduling an appt with your local vet to have her wounds checked out further. She likely will need a short course of antibiotics and pain meds if needed. I hope that your furry friend Chullie turns out ok. Best wishes and take care.