Is there rabies risk from a vaccinated dog's scratch?

Question

Hi doctor,

I was scratched by my vaccinated dog 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 was a scratch from a dog then.

Please help.

Answer 1

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. The history of rabies vaccination in an animal is not always a guarantee that the biting animal is not rabid.

Animal vaccine failures may occur because of improper administration or poor quality of the vaccine, poor health status of the animal, and the fact that one vaccine dose does not always provide long-lasting protection against rabies infection in dogs or cats. The scratch on your skin comes under category II for post-exposure prophylaxis, for which the anti-rabies vaccine is indicated.

And although you have taken the vaccine five months before and your dog is also vaccinated, there are very minimal chances of you or your dog having rabies, but there is a minuscule chance. But according to the guidelines, you should get vaccinated again. Make sure to clean the area of the scratch properly and thoroughly with soap and water.

Observe your pet for the next ten days and see if its health deteriorates, which, if it does, would be a strong indication to get vaccinated.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.