Can dogs get sick from an animal bite?

Yes, dogs can get all kinds of infections and other health-related issues if they get bit by another animal. This is especially true if the animal that bit them is feral. Rabies, infections, tetanus, and parasites can be transferred to them. Visit the vet as soon as possible if your dog gets bit.

What to do if my dog gets bit by a palm squirrel

The best course of action here is to rush your furry friend to their vet.

Your pup might need shots and further observation of their wound to check if they needs stitches and other medicines to prevent further health issues.

However, if, in the meantime, you really don’t have a choice and can’t go to the vet, you can give your pup a first aid treatment.

Calm your pup down

The first thing you need to do is try to calm your dog down. They might be frantic and get aggressive towards you if they’re still scared from the incident. 

Try to coax them to come to you. If your pup trusts you enough, they will immediately run to you and ask for help or comfort.

Check the severity of their wound

Palm squirrels don’t typically get too aggressive towards animals that are bigger than them, so their bite might not be too big for your pup to need stitches.

However, it’s still best to ensure that your dog isn’t bleeding severely from the bite.

Wash their wound

After checking their wound, you need to wash it with clean running water to get rid of debris and other contaminants.

If possible, apply antiseptic liquids such as betadine or hydrogen peroxide. This will further ensure that your dog won’t have any bacterial infections on their wound.

Apply gentle pressure on the wound

If you still see their wound bleeding, apply gentle pressure on it. If the wound is on their limbs, you can try to tie a cloth above the wound to help slow the flow of the blood to the wound.

Once done, you can now try to give your dog a few treats and water to help them calm down even further and wait for when the vet is available in your area.

Can a squirrel give dogs rabies?

Yes, squirrels can carry rabies and pass it to your pup if they bite them.

This is the primary reason why you need to bring your dog to the vet as soon as possible so you can get them anti-rabies shots.

Other diseases that your dog might get from squirrel bites include:

• Tetanus.
• Parasites.
• Bacterial infection.

All of these can be treated at the vet with the right meds and vaccines.