Is Rabies Vaccination Required When Scratched By A Dog?

Posted on Sat, 27 May 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 27 May 2017 Answered on

Sat, 17 Jun 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : my pet dog scratched me quite severely (there was bleeding too) while playing my dog gets vaccinated regularly. Is in mandatory for me to get vaccinated by anti rabies injection.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Rabies is a lethal disease.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Let me tell you that rabies is a lethal disease and that mammals are susceptible to rabies. Now, if your dog does not have a chance to get rabies, that is really good and in such a case you do not have anything to worry about. But if somehow the dog could get rabies and the dog with rabies scratched you, chances are that you would soon be DEAD (due to rabies). Now let me tell you that it is NOT MANDATORY for you to get the anti-rabies vaccination but you would have to assess the risk for the dog and whether you are willing to take the risk. The choice lies upon you.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng