My dog killed a wild rodent. Is plague a risk? What symptoms?

Question

My dogs came in contact with a dead prairie dog tonight (they may have actually killed it). I live in New Mexico, which has a high rate nationally of the plague. Are my dogs at risk from coming into contact with a wild rodent? The prairie dog didn't show any major signs of disease. Should I keep my eyes open for certain symptoms in my dogs? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 6 years and 8 months old | 45 lbs

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM · Accepted Answer

The first thing I would do is get some Capstar and give it to your dogs to kill all fleas that may have jumped from the prairie dog onto your dogs. Then, if they have not been on flea prevention, start with it by getting som flea prevention for them and applying it. Plague is transmitted by rodent fleas. At this time there is no way to find out whether your dogs were infected, Watch for lethargy and fever and general malaise and if any of this appears within the next three weeks, take them to your vet immediately for an exam and let your vet know about the prairie dog.

My dog killed a wild rodent. Is plague a risk? What symptoms?

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