SnowRidge
Elite Member
I'm not sure, but I believe it involves an examination of the brain tissue. If you look carefully at Eddie's post, you'll note he said the head is on its way to Austin.
Creating a Home for Sam
- Thread starter EddieWalker
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KentT
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That is terrible... here's praying that the dog wasn't rabid, since that would be a long traumatic treatment for the child, on top of what he's already gone through...
A suggestion to consider... think about getting him a little puppy of his own....
A cute, cuddly little one now might go a long way to preventing future phobias... and heal the trauma of Sam attacking, and then losing Sam....
A suggestion to consider... think about getting him a little puppy of his own....
A cute, cuddly little one now might go a long way to preventing future phobias... and heal the trauma of Sam attacking, and then losing Sam....
deerefan
Veteran Member
I asked my wife, she said they do put the dog down, but also they put the dog in quarantine for 5 days (alive) and then if no rabies shows up vaccine against it. I read his post...yep, he has been put down. What a shame...sometimes you have to do whats best for everyone...no matter how much it hurts. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I'll try not to be too graphic here about the rabies issue.
Since the dog was a stray and we don't know if he had is shots or not, there is no quarenteen. That's only for dog who have had their shots. Here they quarenteen for ten days. Every year we get a few cases of rabies, so it's not all that rare.
The test required examining the brain of the animal. The only way to do that is with the head removed. The closes place that does the exam in in Austin. The test will be done tomorrow and we'll know as soon as the results are known.
In 1986 I was a US Marine stationed at our embassy in Yaounde Cameroon. It's a small West African country. I had a puppy that a friend gave me. After about six months or so, he got really sick and passed away. It was such sudden death that some of the diplomats at AID suggested he be tested for rabies. He never went rabid or attacked anybody, but he did play rough. Just about anybody who played with him had cuts on their arms and hands.
The test for rabies came back negative, but luckily the diplomat suggested the hospital also check for spinal rabies. This is extremely rare, but it happens and the guy was really suprised the dog tested negative.
This time he came back positve for spinal rabies. Every one of us who had contact with the dog underwent the shot treatment. They don't do the shot's through the stomache wall anymore, but just in the arm.
There is no cure for rabies, only exposure. Once you have it, your dead. It can remain dormat in your fat cells for up to a year, but that's rare. There are many cases of people who have been exposed and then contracting the desies six months later.
After I kicked Sam off of Steph's son, her ran and hid on the side of the house. When we got home, he was unsure of himself, but aproached us with his tail wagging. Only he woldn't get too close. This morning I tied him up for the officer. He was friendly and playful all morning. He loaded up real easy when he left. No problems or hints of what had happened last night.
Steph is totally tore up about this. She said it would be easier to deal with his death if he was acting up or being mean today, but he was back to being Sam again. Very loving and affectionate.
It's all very sad and dificult to deal with right now. He quickly became part of the family and we all fell in love with him. Now we feel sucker punched and guilty for what has happened. Her five year old was afraid to walk to the car this morning. He should never be afraid to go outside his home.
Know him, I doubt there will be any long term issues with him and dogs, but for us, it's different. We don't see how we can protect him 24/7 if we have another dog. There is just no more trust on our part to take a chance with the kids.
I'm sorry for such a depressing turn of events, but thought it might be good for others to know what happened and hopefully avoid our mistake.
Eddie
Since the dog was a stray and we don't know if he had is shots or not, there is no quarenteen. That's only for dog who have had their shots. Here they quarenteen for ten days. Every year we get a few cases of rabies, so it's not all that rare.
The test required examining the brain of the animal. The only way to do that is with the head removed. The closes place that does the exam in in Austin. The test will be done tomorrow and we'll know as soon as the results are known.
In 1986 I was a US Marine stationed at our embassy in Yaounde Cameroon. It's a small West African country. I had a puppy that a friend gave me. After about six months or so, he got really sick and passed away. It was such sudden death that some of the diplomats at AID suggested he be tested for rabies. He never went rabid or attacked anybody, but he did play rough. Just about anybody who played with him had cuts on their arms and hands.
The test for rabies came back negative, but luckily the diplomat suggested the hospital also check for spinal rabies. This is extremely rare, but it happens and the guy was really suprised the dog tested negative.
This time he came back positve for spinal rabies. Every one of us who had contact with the dog underwent the shot treatment. They don't do the shot's through the stomache wall anymore, but just in the arm.
There is no cure for rabies, only exposure. Once you have it, your dead. It can remain dormat in your fat cells for up to a year, but that's rare. There are many cases of people who have been exposed and then contracting the desies six months later.
After I kicked Sam off of Steph's son, her ran and hid on the side of the house. When we got home, he was unsure of himself, but aproached us with his tail wagging. Only he woldn't get too close. This morning I tied him up for the officer. He was friendly and playful all morning. He loaded up real easy when he left. No problems or hints of what had happened last night.
Steph is totally tore up about this. She said it would be easier to deal with his death if he was acting up or being mean today, but he was back to being Sam again. Very loving and affectionate.
It's all very sad and dificult to deal with right now. He quickly became part of the family and we all fell in love with him. Now we feel sucker punched and guilty for what has happened. Her five year old was afraid to walk to the car this morning. He should never be afraid to go outside his home.
Know him, I doubt there will be any long term issues with him and dogs, but for us, it's different. We don't see how we can protect him 24/7 if we have another dog. There is just no more trust on our part to take a chance with the kids.
I'm sorry for such a depressing turn of events, but thought it might be good for others to know what happened and hopefully avoid our mistake.
Eddie
midlf
Platinum Member
Sorry you had to experience this. Best wishes for the little guy.
Our old neighbors had a springer spaniel. Great dog. He started getting strange and it was presumed to be something called "springer rage". Before it was determined this is what was going on the dog had bitten my SO, and another time made a grab at the neighbor and had an incident where he would not let the neighbor out of bed. Only cure was to put the dog down as he could not be trusted. At each attack the dog would get a strange look in his eyes and as soon as it was over, and they only lasted a few seconds, the dog would look confused, like "what just happened". It was very sad for all involved. To us this dog was just like he was ours as we would take care of him when they were gone.
Our old neighbors had a springer spaniel. Great dog. He started getting strange and it was presumed to be something called "springer rage". Before it was determined this is what was going on the dog had bitten my SO, and another time made a grab at the neighbor and had an incident where he would not let the neighbor out of bed. Only cure was to put the dog down as he could not be trusted. At each attack the dog would get a strange look in his eyes and as soon as it was over, and they only lasted a few seconds, the dog would look confused, like "what just happened". It was very sad for all involved. To us this dog was just like he was ours as we would take care of him when they were gone.
stevenf
Platinum Member
Dang Eddie, This is awful news, Glad to hear the boy's OK. You guys tried to do a good thing, you never can tell about rescue dogs but we've had our share. Right now we have a rescued Great Dane, a rescued Great Pyrenees crossed with a Blue Healer and a rescued German shepard crossed with doberman. We've never had a problem with any of our rescues but we realize its just lucky we haven't. I'll agree with the folks saying if you can find it in your heart to get the boy a dog it'd probably be best and as a puppy so they can grow up together. This isn't some tree hugger whinning, I'm hard as nails but have watched my wifes dad and my older brother walking around dogs and both of them are scared to death after having both been attacked as kids by neighbors dogs. Its a big step to have a dog and one that it looks like ya'll wanted to make, with what happened I sure wouldn't avoid it if the boy shows any outward fear of dogs as watching my brother especially over the years his fear of them has only gotten worse. Best of luck with your decisions, I know that a day after it happened isn't the time to be trying to cover bases but thought I'd share my feelings. Hope all the test turn out negative although the rabies cure for humans is not like it used to be when we were kids which was some huge battery of injections into your stomach, with the age of the child he's probably freshly up to date on his shots and will just end up needing the booster shots. You've acted promptly and correctly everything will be fine. I think we TBN'rs should say a collective prayer for the young man just for good measure, ain't a kid out there that likes shots.
Steve
Steve
midlf
Platinum Member
There has been one case of non-fatal rabies. It happened in WI year before last. Teenage girl got bitten by a rabid bat. Children's hospital in Milwaukee treated her. She was near dead and in a coma for a long time. After recovery she had to relearn ALL her motor skills. Full recovery will take a long time and it is unknown if it will be a total recovery.
Inspector507
Super Member
<font color="blue"> Know him, I doubt there will be any long term issues with him and dogs, but for us, it's different. We don't see how we can protect him 24/7 if we have another dog. There is just no more trust on our part to take a chance with the kids.
I'm sorry for such a depressing turn of events, but thought it might be good for others to know what happened and hopefully avoid our mistake. </font>
Eddie, there's no way anyone could have predicted this behaviour beforehand, so you and Steph never made any kind of mistake. The dog showed normal signs of just being a playful dog before all of this.
Now, rethink this decision, there's no way you can protect the little guy 24/7. You can't lock him away anytime a dog is around either. It's great for a boy to be raised with a companion.
I'm sorry for such a depressing turn of events, but thought it might be good for others to know what happened and hopefully avoid our mistake. </font>
Eddie, there's no way anyone could have predicted this behaviour beforehand, so you and Steph never made any kind of mistake. The dog showed normal signs of just being a playful dog before all of this.
Now, rethink this decision, there's no way you can protect the little guy 24/7. You can't lock him away anytime a dog is around either. It's great for a boy to be raised with a companion.
stevenf
Platinum Member
Lets not try to make Eddie feel worse then he already does, for 20 years CDC reports 1 or 2 deaths per year associated with rabid animals and these are from people that weren't aware that they had been exposed, there are 50,000 or so US cases treated per year as a prevention if the possibility of rabies infection is there because of animal that bit not being captured. Proper first aid (washing the wounds thoroughly with soap and water) and seeking immediate physician care results in pretty much 100% survival with no lasting effects. It is a 30 day treatment with the first shot given in the area of the bite and 4 more shots given in the arm on a shot schedule of 3rd day, 7th day, 14th day and 28th day. There is good information on rabies treatment and vacines at this site http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/introduction/intro.htm
Steve
Steve
MossRoad
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<font color="blue"> Since the dog was a stray and we don't know if he had is shots or not, there is no quarenteen </font>
You did the right thing, Eddie. The boy comes first. Sorry you had to go through this, but you have to do what you have to do. Best wishes on a speedy recovery for the young one.
You did the right thing, Eddie. The boy comes first. Sorry you had to go through this, but you have to do what you have to do. Best wishes on a speedy recovery for the young one.
