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Bitten By A Family Dog 7 Days Ago. Treated And
Question: Bitten by a family dog 7 days ago. Treated and received tetanus shot at an urgent center a day later. The dog's most recent vaccination for rabies was on April of this year (2018). Previously the dog received vaccination on December of 2013 and December of 2014. So there was a 3 and 1/2 year gap between his second vaccination and the most recent one. After 7 days, the dog seems fine and healthy. Is there any reason to worry about rabies infection? Do you think that post-exposure anti-rabies treatments (immunoglobulin and shots) are needed? I lived in the United States..
I live in the United States.
bitten on the big toe and it looks like a puncture wound drawing blood
Brief Answer:
The chances of rabies are very low, the dog should be under observation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
I see through your query that the dog that bit you is a family dog which has been vaccinated.
In this case, the chances of rabies are very low.
However, I would suggest you to:
-Maintain the dog for 10 days under strict observation
-After 10 days if the dog is still healthy you will not need the post-exposure anti-rabies treatments (immunoglobulin and shots)
-If the dog seems ill or dead, you will be required to take the shots.
You should get the full course of vaccination, 4 intra-dermal doses administered on day 0, 3, 7, 28
I would also suggest you notify the local health department for further evaluation.
Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
The chances of rabies are very low, the dog should be under observation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
I see through your query that the dog that bit you is a family dog which has been vaccinated.
In this case, the chances of rabies are very low.
However, I would suggest you to:
-Maintain the dog for 10 days under strict observation
-After 10 days if the dog is still healthy you will not need the post-exposure anti-rabies treatments (immunoglobulin and shots)
-If the dog seems ill or dead, you will be required to take the shots.
You should get the full course of vaccination, 4 intra-dermal doses administered on day 0, 3, 7, 28
I would also suggest you notify the local health department for further evaluation.
Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hi Thank you very much for answering my question,
How certain are the medical experts about the 10 day observation period? Is it possible that the dog gets sick or dies on day 11 or 12 from rabies, at which point it's too late for a person who was bitten to get anti-rabies treatment? I apologize if my questions seem stupid. Rabies being what it is (certain death once you develop symptoms), I am a little anxious.
How certain are the medical experts about the 10 day observation period? Is it possible that the dog gets sick or dies on day 11 or 12 from rabies, at which point it's too late for a person who was bitten to get anti-rabies treatment? I apologize if my questions seem stupid. Rabies being what it is (certain death once you develop symptoms), I am a little anxious.
Brief Answer:
In ten days or observation the symptoms will appear if the dog has rabies.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
The ten days of observation is a recommendation from the world health organisation.
During this period, even if the dog is not ill one of the symptoms would appear. If one of these symptoms has developed during this period, the dog will die within 10 days.
Some of the symptoms can be:
-uncontrolled movements,
-muscle weakness,
-running into objects/walls
-severe aggression
It is never too late to get the shots. Only If you develop rabies symptoms they are not effective.
Anyway, you can also get the full course of vaccination you minimize the risk.
Hope my answer was helpful.
Take care,
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
In ten days or observation the symptoms will appear if the dog has rabies.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
The ten days of observation is a recommendation from the world health organisation.
During this period, even if the dog is not ill one of the symptoms would appear. If one of these symptoms has developed during this period, the dog will die within 10 days.
Some of the symptoms can be:
-uncontrolled movements,
-muscle weakness,
-running into objects/walls
-severe aggression
It is never too late to get the shots. Only If you develop rabies symptoms they are not effective.
Anyway, you can also get the full course of vaccination you minimize the risk.
Hope my answer was helpful.
Take care,
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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