Rabies vaccines?

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

I'm sorry to rehash the vaccine issue again, but I've senselessly

put myself into a position where I *may* have no choice but to

get several anti-rabies vaccines.

Several hours ago when coming out of the pharmacy near my house,

a homeless man asked me if I could spare some change. While

reaching into my pocket, I looked down and noticed an adorable

lab puppy tied to a post behind him, with a food dish by his

side. It broke my heart to see him sitting there. Being a big

animal lover who frequently helps capture injured waterfowl, it

was nothing new for me to stoop down and pet a wild/stray animal.

Well, this puppy was so happy to receive my affection, that he

instantly jumped up and tried to play with me. Well, I tend to

lose all common sense when around animals. I began to

play-wrestle with him and being a puppy, he started to gnaw on my

hand with his sharp little teeth. I pulled my hand out and the

next thing I know, he's after my ankle. I give him one last pat

on the head and say goodbye to the man and started home.

Well, after I got home, I decided I better wash my hands and

instantly noticed a few small abrasions where his teeth had left

marks. No bleeding, but the teeth obviously pierced the surface

of the skin. Well, my fiance comes in the kitchen and says, " You

let a homeless, stray dog gnaw on your hands??? Did he have any

tags? He could have rabies! " So, feeling terribly careless, I

answered, " Yes, I did let him gnaw on my hands, and I don't know

if he had tags " . I really should have known better. Call me a big

sucker when it comes to animals. These things just slip my mind.

So here I am, wondering what I should do. I am thinking of going

back to the pharmacy tomorrow night, to see if the man and the

dog are still there, and I'll ask if the dog has been vaccinated

for rabies. Highly unlikely, I think. I mean, one who begs for

money has bigger priorities than getting rabies shots for his

dog. But if I can't find them, or if I do, and the dog hasn't

been vaccinated, I may have to play it safe and start one of 6

anti-rabies shots within the next two days. Rabies is 100% fatal

in humans if shots aren't started by two days after exposure. Yet

at the same time, we all know that vaccines can possibly cause

long term health problems and immediate severe allergic

reactions. I keep telling myself I am overeacting, that the dog

is probably fine, and I should just let it go and take my

chances. I mean, why put myself at risk for problems, when there

is only a small chance this dog could have rabies. But then, what

if I am wrong?

Have any of you ever had to have pre-exposure or post-exposure

rabies vaccines in the past or recently?

Thanks for listening to me vent.

~Kyla