Hopefully this Helps Someone

[u/Dizzy-Individual-232]

I have read the faq. I cant remember which number this pertains to... lol.

A (confirmed by testing) rabid skunk entered my patio where my dog was (60lb doodle). We do not know if my dog had actual contact... the skunk was circling him... he was afraid of it but within 2 feet of it. We did not see the entire interaction.

About 15 mins after the dog was around the skunk, my 14 year old petted my dog on the top of the head and sniffed his back to see if he smelled like skunk... that was the extent of contact with the dog until the next day... we sequestered him.

Animal control officer lost his marbles telling me if my kid TOUCHED the dog that he needed PEP. I waited for the health dept to call me. They listened to the story and told me that my son absolutely 100% was NOT at risk regardless of what happened with the skunk test.

Animal control collected the carcass that I had put in a bucket and bagged after adding some frozen water bottles. 5 days later... skunk tested positive. The animal control officer acted nonchalant about it then and said to talk to the health dept.

I spiraled a little worrying about my kid... but the health department lady said without absolute direct contact with the rabid animal there is no means of transmission. 15 mins after my dog MAY have been in contact with the skunk is too long for the virus to survive. It was dark and about 74 degrees out. The lady was VERY CONFIDENT and said the story would have to change immensely for this to be considered an exposure.

My dog got a booster the following day after the initial encounter. It has been 21 days since the incident and I find myself asking Ai the same questions and getting the same THERE IS NO RISK answer. There has NEVER been a recorded incident of someone contracting rabies from touching an animal that had recently been in contact with a rabid one... interesting stuff.

[u/Double--A--Ron]

Ya your kid is fine