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My puppy bit me. Can she have rabies without exposure or vaccine?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 1 month and 22 days old | 28.66 lbs

Is it possible for my puppy to get rabies even without exposing her to other animals? Can it be inheritted from her mother or natural to pup? She doesn't have the anti rabies vaccine yet because she is young. While playing she bit me a little, there are a small pinch like a pinch of a needle and was unsure if I should be worried. :) Thanks!

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Strydom, DVM

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 26th, 2018

I would not be worried about this at all unless the mother died from rabies. The chances of her having rabies is extremely, extremely, extremely low. They cannot be born with rabies but they can get it from the mother's milk but the mother must be infected for this to happen. Did the mother have rabies?

My suggestion is to keep her away from other animals that have not be vaccinated against rabies (including wild animals) until she is old enough to get her own vaccination.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 20th, 2018

    Puppies are not "born" with rabies but they can get it from the mother's infected milk. The puppies will not have rabies if the mother does not have rabies and I highly doubt she has rabies.

    I would only suggest a rabies vaccination series for you if:

    1. You were bitten by a dog that we know 100% for sure has rabies
    2. You were bitten by a stray dog that you do not know the vaccination history

    Since you were bitten by your own dog that has been previously vaccinated I would not worry.

    Hope this helps. Best wishes.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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