HomeAnswersGeneral Practitionerdog biteA dog scratched me. What to do?

A vaccinated dog scratched me. Should I be worried?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At June 27, 2017
Reviewed AtJune 20, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My friend's dog scratched me, and the dog has a tumor on her leg. The dog is vaccinated. Is that scratch still harmful? Do I still need to take any injections?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

First of all, give attention to the following points: 1. Is the dog drooling constantly? 2. Is the dog involved or was involved in any way with street dogs or any other diseased pets like cats, guinea pigs, or other mammals? 3. Were the injections given within seven years from today? If your answer to point 3 is a 'Yes', then relax, and just apply a general Povidone-iodine ointment on the scratched surface, and keep it clean. If point 3 is a 'No', then watch for point 1 and 2. If any of them are a 'Yes', please get anti-rabies vaccine shots from a local clinic, if you have not taken them within the past seven years from today. Remember, in the future, when you are scratched, licked on non-intact skin or bitten by dogs or cats with an unknown history, first wash the wound under tap water without rubbing it, and rush to your local clinic for anti-rabies shots. Thank you and take care. Regards.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Chandwadkar Ashish
Dr. Chandwadkar Ashish

Internal Medicine

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