Rabies

[MissDolittle]

Let me do a quick re-cap:

3 days ago a skunk walked into my fenced big yard inside of town and was killed by 3 of my 5 dogs. Since no healthy skunk is going to walk into a yard with 5 dogs, I figured he is sick and called Animal Control who sent the animal in for testing.

Today the results came: positive for rabies :smile20: .

I was told to rush my dogs to the vet and get them booster shots right away and keep them quarantined for 45 days, meaning no contact with anything living by myself and watching for any change of behavior.

So, Olivia and Sandy, the old ladies, were not exposed and can stay with me inside, but Butters, Honey, and Olliver have to stay outside for now because they not only stink, but they go nuts caged up in their round pens. This is not going to be fun...not at all.

Having said that, I AM glad that the skunk walked in on my dogs instead of 10 feet further into a yard where toddlers play. If one of those kids was outside and seen the skunk and approached it..can you imagine???

Then rather walk into the yard with the best protected dogs in the neighborhood!

[Kirial]

Ooh, hard to watch the dogs for madness when the conefinement already gives them the crazies.

Only ever had one of my dogs not react to the booster, but I think he was way to advanced a case by the time we noticed. My booster came out just fine though. Oh the joys of being 7 on a farm.

Good call on the toddlers. Human boosters are waaaaay expensives and sometimes insurance wont cover it, so good thing it wasnt their babies, but sorry it had to happen to yours. Give them all my get better wishes.

[MissDolittle]

Thanks! They are already not very happy. I do let them out at night and let them chase the ball until they got at least some energy out of their system, and I also have a treadmill that at least the Labs like to go on.

What sucks the most is that I have to keep the 2 dogs that were not exposed separate from the 3 that were exposed...that's the most work. Baby-gate heaven here!

[Fluffytial]

Hope all goes well! I don't think I could handle watching my dogs to see if they were going to get sick or not. I would fall apart.:smile20:

[MissDolittle]

I'm not watching them for anything, because they are not infected. They didn't get bitten by that skunk and they are vaccinated. Why should they get sick? I'm not the least worried.

Today the shelter actually of all places donated a roll of wire fence, 330 foot. My neighbors pitched in some t-posts and man power and now the quarantine looks a bit more manageable:

http://www.amazes.us/album/albums/userpics/10001/biggerquarantine1.jpg

http://www.amazes.us/album/albums/userpics/10001/biggerquarantine.jpg

It was like this:

http://www.amazes.us/album/albums/userpics/10001/normal_quarantine.jpg

[SnyperKat]

I love that parasol!

[MissDolittle]

We managed to get through the first week without any major problems, except that more skunks are turning up...

http://www.amazes.us/album/albums/userpics/10001/quarantinehay.jpg

[MissDolittle]

Today it's 21 days. My vet had said that his personal quarantine is 21 days, after that he wouldn't worry anymore and would allow at least contact with the other dogs of the pack.

I still have to obey the law and keep them quarantined until May 23rd, but at least I don't have to be THAT picky anymore and whatever worries might have come up, I can put to rest too. They are all ok in their own little ways, hehe :).

[amstaff]

thats really good to hear!! oh...and congrats on the official new family member olivia...something told me you weren't going to let that one go

[MissDolittle]

Thanks, but right now it doesn't look like it's working out too great. Olivia attacked Sandy 3 times already, bit her good, drew blood and all. Hubby is not happy and hates Olivia, he says. Never wanted her. Love his timing! After all I have been through with her, now this? Are there any more odds against us?

I put Olivia with the quarantined dogs now. She's digging a den in the sand pile I put up for them dig in. So far she has shown no aggression towards the other dogs, but I don't trust it. Have to stick it out until her false pregnancy is over with and go from there. She reminds me of myself in this marriage..first I couldn't no wrong, now I can't do no right and then the hormones go wacko :(.

[MissDolittle]

We did it! Quarantine is over!! WHOOHOO! Off to the lake!!!! :smile29:

[SnyperKat]

Hhmmm any reason why Olivia would attack Sandy? =/ I'm glad to hear the quarantine's over, but I'm sorry that Olivia did that to Sandy. :(

[MissDolittle]

It must have been that false pregnancy that made her do it. Once it blew over she's ok again. No more attacking. Well, she doesn't take crap either and as a matter of fact, Mister "Bully" Olliver is scared of her and runs when she wants to play..finally somebody who puts him into his place, hehe. But that all goes without fighting, just playing rough.

[MissMuffett]

I just read the rabies story for the first time, and I must say, I'm very glad they made it through that whole ordeal unscathed and can be sociable again. I wish my apartment were as big as that quarantine.. :P