Texas Couple Contracts Rabies From Stray Puppy

Image of Rabies virus, Stanford University

A couple in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Texas area was infected with Rabies by an 8 week old collie-mix puppy they discovered freezing to death under their home. After bringing the puppy into their house they gave it a flea bath to give it some relief from the cold and the severe flea infestation it had. The puppy bit both the house owner and his girlfriend at some point. It is not clear what caused the couple to decide to see a doctor following the bites because as you know it is not out of the ordinary for a puppy to bite. However, it turned out to be the smartest decision they have ever made because the puppy was Rabies positive and had infected the couple. The doctor informed the couple that had they showed up 48 hours later the infection would have progressed to far for treatment and both of them would have perished.

This story is a good reminder to us all who have been known to pick up stray animals. If you pick up a stray be sure to keep it isolated from your other animals until you can get it to a veterinarian or to an animal shelter. If you have any doubts about whether or not the animal may have rabies do not pick it up. Instead contact the local animal control and report the animal.

You can read up on some of the symptoms and signs of Rabies at Pet Education.