How to Identify a Dog With Rabies After a Dog Bite
Most people who suffer a dog bite do not catch rabies or any other disease from the bite. However, if the dog is a strange one or is acting strangely, it’s wise to have the dog tested for rabies if possible.
Dogs can experience rabies in two ways: “Furious Rabies” or “Dumb Rabies,” also known as paralytic rabies. A dog with dumb rabies will droop at the mouth and may begin to drool as the disease paralyzes the jaw and throat muscles. Dogs with dumb rabies do not usually attack or bite.
Dogs with violent rabies will show it by hiding in dark places whenever possible, such as under beds or vehicles or in closets or sheds. They become nervous and excitable and will fight their way through fencing or other enclosures to escape. Once loose, a dog with violent rabies may roam for miles, trying to bite anything that crosses its path. Both dumb rabies and violent rabies are fatal.
If you suspect a dog that bit you has rabies, wash the bite area with soap and water for at least twenty minutes and contact a physician or hospital immediately. For the best chance at an accurate rabies diagnosis, do not kill the dog; call the Missouri Department of Health or a local veterinarian for help.
Rabies is a frightening disease, but it’s rare for people to get it from dog bites. If you have been bitten by a dog, however, the injuries and medical expenses may be severe, even if the dog has no infections. To learn more about your rights under Missouri dog bite law, contact the experienced St. Louis dog bite attorneys at Page Law today. For a free consultation, call 314-322-8515.
