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Bit By Pet Dog Fully Vaccinated. Slight Breakage Of Skin Is To Be Worried
Question: Bit by pet dog. Fully vaccinated. Slight breakage of skin, no puncture. Would you deem an office visit necessary
Brief Answer:
Wash the area nicely with soap and water
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome here,
The area needs to be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
If there was no puncture and blood didnt ooze out, then rabies or tetanus vaccine is not mandatory. So doctor visit not needed.
If, its been more than 10 years since your last tetanus shot, you may get one repeated.
Watch the dog for 10 days for any signs of distress or fever that suggest a rabies infection. If there are any signs of distress in the dog, you may also get the shots done.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr Vaishalee
Wash the area nicely with soap and water
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome here,
The area needs to be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
If there was no puncture and blood didnt ooze out, then rabies or tetanus vaccine is not mandatory. So doctor visit not needed.
If, its been more than 10 years since your last tetanus shot, you may get one repeated.
Watch the dog for 10 days for any signs of distress or fever that suggest a rabies infection. If there are any signs of distress in the dog, you may also get the shots done.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
If there was a small amount of blood would you deem the visit necessary?
I cleaned the wound with soap and water, ran under warm water for 6 minutes, applied hydrogen perodixe, topical antibiotic ointment and wrapped in bandage. Skin breakage roughly 1/2 cm wide.
I cleaned the wound with soap and water, ran under warm water for 6 minutes, applied hydrogen perodixe, topical antibiotic ointment and wrapped in bandage. Skin breakage roughly 1/2 cm wide.
Brief Answer:
Vaccinated dog unlikely to transmit rabies
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Thanks for reverting with details.
A vaccinated pet dog is highly unlikely to transmit rabies. Pet dog owners frequently get bitten while playing with their dog and most such bites do not need a vaccine as these are superficial.
According to current guidelines, the dog has to be watched for 10 days irrespective of vaccination status. If the bite is transdermal, blood oozed out and/or dog not well, then post-exposure prophylaxis with vaccine and immunoglobulin is to be done. Immunoglobulin can be avoided if the person has been previously vaccinated.
Regards,
Dr Vaishalee
Vaccinated dog unlikely to transmit rabies
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Thanks for reverting with details.
A vaccinated pet dog is highly unlikely to transmit rabies. Pet dog owners frequently get bitten while playing with their dog and most such bites do not need a vaccine as these are superficial.
According to current guidelines, the dog has to be watched for 10 days irrespective of vaccination status. If the bite is transdermal, blood oozed out and/or dog not well, then post-exposure prophylaxis with vaccine and immunoglobulin is to be done. Immunoglobulin can be avoided if the person has been previously vaccinated.
Regards,
Dr Vaishalee
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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