Common "Dog Bite" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Dog Bite

Dog bites that are minor and do not break the skin are of low risk for contracting any type of infection. In contrast, dog bites which have teeth marks and bleeding are highly infectious. It can cause infections like rabies, tetanus, sepsis, etc. Immediately after a dog bite, the wound has to be washed thoroughly with antiseptic soaps or lotions. After that, the person has to take the anti-rabies vaccine.

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I got a scratch on my arm from my pet dog. Do I need a rabies vaccine?

Query: Hi, I have a pet dog who has been completely vaccinated. My dog has only minimal interaction with other stray dogs. While playing with my dog, I recently got a small scratch on my arm from its teeth. I have studied online that rabies is most commonly spread from infected animals to humans through an...  Read Full »


Dr. Shubadeep Debabrata Sinha

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. Since your dog is fully vaccinated for rabies (as per your narrative), vaccinating yourself may not be needed. However, it is best to consult a local doctor since your pet dog interacts with stray dogs. The scratch should...  Read Full »

Is it a must to report to hospital immediately after a dog bite?

Query: Hi doctor, A dog bit me hard in my leg. I had a lot of blood flowing from my wound. I cleaned the wound with disinfectant for 20 minutes. Now the blood flow has stopped. I have done preexposure prophylaxis before three months for safety. Do I have to go to the hospital immediately?  Read Full »


Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You should go to the hospital soon and begin post-exposure prophylaxis as early as possible. It is better to have rabies immunoglobulin injection soon. You should clean the wound with soap and water. Get a dressing from the doctor with a Betadine solution (Povidone-Iodi...  Read Full »

I was scratched by a dog a week ago. I took the first anti-rabies vaccine and could not get the second dose. Please help.

Query: Hi doctor, I was scratched by a dog a week ago. I took my first dose of the anti-rabies vaccine the next day. But due to the vaccine unavailability, I could not take my second dose. Almost two days have passed since I missed my second dose, and I have procured an anti-rabies vaccine. I have been rec...  Read Full »


Dr. Kazi Rufiat Nasiruddin

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Yes, please start your dose of ARV (anti-rabies vaccine) again. It will not have any adverse effect on you. Repeated doses of anti-rabies vaccine do not affect the body's capability to produce antibodies to fight the rabies virus. For your...  Read Full »

Should I be concerned about rabies if a vaccinated pet dog caught my thigh, despite no visible wounds or scratches?

Query: Hi doctor, I had a bothersome encounter with a vaccinated pet dog 45 days ago. The dog caught on my thigh, and I was wearing jeans; I cross-checked if the jeans were torn and checked for any scratches or wounds. But there was no wounds or scratch. However, I visited a physician, and he mentioned sin...  Read Full »


Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. No need to worry about rabies and you do not have to take any vaccinations. Nothing will happen. So do not worry. I hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Thanks and regards.  Read Full »

My hands are swollen and numb after a dog bite. Is there a possibility that I could have got exposed to rabies or tetanus?

Query: Hi doctor, I got a dog bite two days ago from my work place. No pets are allowed to go there unless vaccinated. My hand where I was bitten does not hurt much unless pressed, and it becomes swollen and has mild numbness. However, I am worried about possibly being exposed to rabies or tetanus. Please ...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query, Kindly confirm the vaccination status of the dog. If the dog's vaccination status is not confronted, I advise you to get vaccinated with rabies at 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after exposure. Tetanus toxoid injection is also advisable. Also, you shou...  Read Full »

What is the chance of rabies infection even after getting vaccines?

Query: Hello doctor, I had exposure to a dog bite before six months while cycling. I could not see any abrasion on the leg nor blood. I could feel the teeth on my leg and immediately went to the hospital and took the rabies vaccine and tetanus as I was denied immunoglobulin. I clearly remember taking the ...  Read Full »


Dr. Shubadeep Debabrata Sinha

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. It appears that your first vaccine post-exposure prophylaxis was inappropriate. Neither you received full course nor antirabies Ig. You were WHO category II exposure and should have taken all five doses since it appears that was your first exposure. The next two ...  Read Full »

I was bitten by my dog during my rabies vaccination course. Can I take my next course or start from first?

Query: Hello doctor, I am currently on a course of rabies vaccination (post-exposure prophylaxis, category 2). Last month, I got my third dose and got bitten by my dog again on my feet. My next dose will be next week, and I cannot go or ask the doctor at the moment. It was not a bite, but it got my skin b...  Read Full »


Dr. Arpit Varshney

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Once you have received the rabies vaccine full dose, it is effective for the next five years. There is no need to repeat the vaccine even if you are bit by a dog again. Your previous vaccine is good enough. They will save you from rabies. So, fo...  Read Full »

Is second-time rabies vaccination required for a dog scratch one year after vaccination?

Query: Hi doctor, Yesterday, I accidentally disturbed a stray dog while walking. It did not bark and was not aggressive, but after I moved a few steps forward, the dog kind of tried to nibble or bite my thigh and went back as soon as I looked back. There are no scratch marks, no bleeding, no bite marks, no...  Read Full »


Dr. Utkarsh Sharma

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern and will help you regarding it. First of all, it was a level 2 dog bite as contact was there, but there was no skin penetration. In such cases, the skin should be washed with running water and soap for five minutes. As you are already immunize...  Read Full »

Is there any diet restriction following dog bite?

Query: Hi doctor, I was bitten by a house Siberian Husky. The pup is 8 months old and is not vaccinated for rabies. I used to visit it everyday. It is normal and drink water. I was given only tetanus as I am allergic to the antirabies vaccine which was administered and discovered 10 years ago when I had a ...  Read Full »


Dr. Geetha Priyadarsini Kamminana

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. There are no dietary restrictions following a dog bite, and you can eat whatever you like. Also, let me share a few facts about dog bites: A 10-day quarantine for the dog that has bitten is generally followed. If the dog develops any personality changes like aggressive...  Read Full »

I was bitten by my dog, which developed anorexia and vomiting later. Should I be worried even if I took an anti-rabies Vaccine?

Query: Hello doctor, I got bitten by my 4-month-old dog while playing. Then after two days, my dog developed anorexia and started vomiting. I am worried, and therefore I started my anti-rabies vaccination, injection Rabiflex. Will anything happen to me?  Read Full »


Dr. Krutika Shrikant Ingle

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. You need not worry. I suggest you continue the post-exposure prophylaxis schedule for dog bite cases at your nearest clinic. You need to monitor your dog for the next ten days. Take him to your veterinarian and get him checked. He might be su...  Read Full »

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