My dog carried a dead rat. Can I get sick from playing with her?

Question

My dog had a dead rat in her mouth. There was no blood so I’m not sure how it died. She did not eat the rat, she was just carrying it. She looks sad and it breaks my heart that I’m scared to play with her in fear of my broken skin on my fingers would absorb the diseases the rat had. Help? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 2 years and 5 months old | 56 lbs

Ann Dion, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It is very uncommon that the rat would carry a disease that you would get from playing with your dog after carrying the rat. If you would like to be very precautions I would recommend the following: I would suggest throwing the rat out so that Cookie can't find it again. You can wear gloves to do this, and also wear gloves and get some water and rinse out Cookies mouth very well. After this I would play with Cookie without any concerns. Best of luck with Cookie!

My dog carried a dead rat. Can I get sick from playing with her?

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