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Pet dog biting
Hi
I'm asking on behalf of my sister. We have a pet dog whose vaccinations, including the rabies vaccine, are up to date. The dog bit my sister the day before yesterday. She received a tetanus shot yesterday. Does she also need to take the rabies vaccine?
Answers (34)
Even though the pet dog's rabies vaccination is up to date, Indian guidelines recommend starting anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) after any dog bite as a precaution. This is because vaccine efficacy in animals is not guaranteed to be 100%, India has a high endemic rabies burden, and the consequences of not vaccinating (if the dog's vaccine somehow failed) are fatal. The tetanus shot she already received covers the wound infection risk, but it does not protect against rabies â they are completely separate.
Next Steps
Start the anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) course as soon as possible â Day 0 (today), Day 3, Day 7, Day 14, and Day 28. Also observe the dog closely for 10 days for any behavior changes or illness. Please consult me directly on Practo for a detailed evaluation.
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Four things you have to do:
1. Clean the wound and dress it lightly.
2. Augmentin 625 mg, twice daily, for wound infection.
3. Tetanus toxoid - if you have not taken a dose in the last 5 years.
4. Anti rabies vaccination - Do a risk assessment + whether you have taken Pre-exposure doses. It is extremely unlikely for rabies transmission from a fully vaccinated dog.
Next Steps
Categorise your dog bite wound with a local doctor.
Answered
1/1 people found this helpful
It solely depends on what kind of dog bite it is
Dog bite is categorised under 6 subheading
Level 1 Dog Bite
No Skin Contact
Level 2 Dog Bite
Skin Contact With
Level 3 Dog Bite
to 4 Single Bite. 1 to 4 Tooth Punctures. Puncture is No Deeper Than Half The Length Of the Dog's Canine Teeth
Level 4 Dog Bite
Single Bite. 1 to 4 Tooth Punctures. Puncture is Deeper Than Half The Length Of th Canine T
Level 5 Dog Bite
Multiple Level 4 Bites
Treatment depends on the same .
For safety yes anti rabies vaccination is required apart from tetanus shot.
Answered
2/2 people found this helpful
It is compulsory! Dog bite is likely to bring a disease which has got no effective cure ,so better to go for anti rabies vaccine ,
Next Steps
consult online or with a local doctor
Health Tips
observe the health of dog for 10 days ,that can guide you regarding the schedule of vaccination
Answered
1/1 people found this helpful
Dog bite is categorised into 3 grades. Grade 1 means superficial scratch. In such case she doesn't need ARV( anti rabies vaccine).
Anything beyond grade 1 needs vaccination.
Even if the dog is fully vaccinated and lives at home, ARV is often necessary. Vaccines do not provide 100% immunity, and pet dogs can occasionally be exposed to rabies through contact with other animals.
So answer to your question is, your sister would need ARV 5doses if it was a proper dog bite category 2 or 3 .
Next Steps
feel free to consult me for further evaluation
Health Tips
Keep the dog under observation for 10 days. If the dog remains perfectly healthy during this time, it is highly likely it was not infectious with rabies at the time of the bite.
wash the bite wounds with soap and water
Answered
1/1 people found this helpful
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