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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My pet dog scratched me before three days. Can I take rabies vaccine now?
Query: Hello doctor, I have been scratched by my pet dog and I think it reached beneath my skin. I got red areas and I did not take any rabies medicine. And it is the third day, can I take medication now? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, you can still take the medication. Do you have rabies or tetanus vaccine? If not or you are not sure, I recommend you go to a nearby hospital to have a rabies vaccine and tetanus shots or at least booster shots. I recommend you to complete the dose as per your d... Read Full »
I am curious about the risks of a minor dog bite. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I just experienced a dog bite, but fortunately, it is a minor injury, a mere scratch on my hand with a tear about the size of a dot. I promptly cleaned it with soap. Do I need any further treatment? Kindly help. Thank you. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. Yes, it is advisable to receive the rabies vaccine. Follow the below instructions: Administer the Anti-Rabies vaccine on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 post-bite. However, it is crucial to consult your nearest doctor for the vaccine. This ... Read Full »
My son's hand was scratched by a dog's nail. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, My neighbor's dog's nail scratched my son's hand. Will that cause rabies? Should I get him vaccinated? It was four days ago, and there was no blood. I did not wash that area either with soap or water. Is that very serious? Kindly suggest Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. If the dog is already vaccinated, there is nothing to worry about. As it is a pet dog, it must be vaccinated. If the dog is doing well and there is no blood on the scratch, there is nothing to worry about. Just get the v... Read Full »
Do I need to do anything if a dog's nail scratches my skin?
Query: Hello doctor,I was scratched by a nail of the dog a week back. Do I need to do anything for that? The dog died today, probably due to some other reason, and the dog was not vaccinated. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Are you sure the dog scratched by nail or teeth? Is any open wound or bleeding present at the time? Did the dog die due to rabies or any other cause? So many questions there. Better get ARV vaccination (anti-rabies vaccine). Since dog died, the reason not known take ... Read Full »
I had a dog bite and took tetanus. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, A stray dog bit me a few hours back. I washed the wound with soap and water. And I took tetanus from a pharmacy. What to do next? Any food which I should not eat during this period? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You did a very good job of washing with soap and water. It is important to apply a soap that foams well to wash off local viruses. An anti tetanus vaccine will only protect you against wound infections. It will not prevent rabies infection. If the dog is infected, y... Read Full »
I am worried about contracting tetanus. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, Two days ago, I was playing with my dog and unintentionally, he scratched my hand with his teeth. Nothing serious, the wound is about a third of an inch in size and it just scratched the upper layer of my skin, and it was bleeding a little bit. I immediately washed it with water and so... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You have a history of dog bite with little bleeding. For that, anti-rabies vaccination should be given to prevent a chance of rabies spread. Five doses at 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after exposure is recommended. I suggest you consult a physician for examination. There i... Read Full »
My vaccinated puppy bit my finger. What should I do?
Query: Hello doctor,Yesterday, my puppy bitten on my finger. The dog was vaccinated. Should I take injections?Thank you. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. If your dog has been vaccinated, your dog is immune against rabies. So, you do not need rabies vaccination if your dog is immune to rabies. Take tetanus toxoid (TT) injection if not taken. Take care. Thank you. Read Full »
My son got scratched by a dog's paw. Should I worry?
Query: Hello doctor, My son got dog paw scratches on his hands by his friend's pet Labrador dog. We gave him TT the next day. Is there anything to worry? Thank you. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. If the scratch did not break the skin, if there was no bleeding and if the attack was provoked, a single TT (tetanus toxoid) shot would suffice. Although do keep the area in check for any bacterial infection that might follow. However, if the animal in question was act... Read Full »
Is it necessary to take rabies vaccine from the initial dose if I was bitten by a dog again?
Query: Hello doctor, I took two shots of antirabies vaccine, but a street dog (puppy) bit me again one day before the third shot. What should I do? Should I continue the vaccination process or start again from the initial dose? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you are taking the antirabies vaccination, and you have already completed two doses of the rabies vaccine. But it is a matter of sorrow that you have gotten another bite from a street dog again one day before ... Read Full »
Is it necessary to get rabies vaccination if a vaccinated pet dog scratches you?
Query: Hi doctor,I scratched by my vaccinated dog today a few hours ago. Also, there was no bleeding in my hand. But there is some redness there. So guide me that it is still necessary to have ARV. Also, five months ago, I was vaccinated with ARV when there is a scratch of a dog then. Read Full »
Answer: Hello. Welcome to icliniq.com. Although unvaccinated animals are more likely to transmit rabies, vaccinated animals can also do so if the vaccination of the biting animal was ineffective for any reason. History of rabies vaccination in an animal is not always a guarantee that the biting animal is ... Read Full »
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