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Is An Anti Rabies Vaccination Required In Case Of Scratches By A Puppy?

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Posted on Tue, 24 Mar 2015
Question: Hello Sir,

I have purchased a one and half month old Labrador female puppy on 16.01.15. The mother of puppy is already vaccinated. During the one month of puppy in my home, it make some scratches to all our five members of family on hands during playing with puppy . In line scratches, blood also came out. My Vatenary doctor give first rabbies vaccine on 22.02.15 to my puppy when my puppy was aged 3 month. All the scratches to family members made by puppy before rabies vaccination. My puppy is healthy and no sign of any illness. My son is vaccinated fully during the period 2012. Sir, I want to know that new born puppy have rabies virus whereas his mother is already vaccinated. What I do? How many vaccine are required to our family member?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Praveen G (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Your family members requires anti rabies vaacine

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic,

If the mother dog is vaccinated against rabies virus up to date it will transfer the protective antibody titres to the puppies.

The disease rabies is 100% fatal but it is 100% preventable by proper treatment. As the new born puppy as scratched your family members which has led to bleeding, I don't want to take risk with this disease.

So I would suggest you and your family to take atleast three shots of anti rabies vaccine on days 0 (Day of first shot),3 and 7.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (20 hours later)
Sir,

My dog puppy scratches some of my family member one month earlier, then the vaccine is effective now ?

Is it possible that puppy have rabies virus but looks like healthy.

If the puppy is infected with rabies, how many days he survive without showing any sign of illness because my puppy is healthy and no sign of any disease yet.

Sir, My son was take 5 shot during 2012, then now one shot as booster is sufficient for him or not? currently he scratched one month earlier by my puppy.

Sir, Please clarify my doubts.

Thanking you a lot.

Awadhesh XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

doctor
Answered by Dr. Praveen G (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back to Healthcare Magic,

The three doses of anti rabies vaccine which I suggested will protect your family members in future too.As your family is at risk of exposure to dog bite.

Usually symptoms of rabies in dog will be manifested within 10 days following the bite. Maximum the symptoms can develop in 30 days.

Your son will be considered as Re- Exposure,as he has taken five shots of vaccine in 2012. Know he requires two shots of vaccine on days 0 and 3. This will give protection for five years.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (3 days later)
Sir,

Lastly, I want to know since my puppy is healthy and have no sign of any illness, then we use 03 shot of vaccine as pre-exposure 0-7-14 for my family??

Thanking your sir,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Praveen G (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
No problem

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM

If your puppy is healthy after 10 days, nothing to worry.
Thank you.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Praveen G

Infectious Diseases Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 2448 Questions

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Is An Anti Rabies Vaccination Required In Case Of Scratches By A Puppy?

Brief Answer: Your family members requires anti rabies vaacine Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Healthcare Magic, If the mother dog is vaccinated against rabies virus up to date it will transfer the protective antibody titres to the puppies. The disease rabies is 100% fatal but it is 100% preventable by proper treatment. As the new born puppy as scratched your family members which has led to bleeding, I don't want to take risk with this disease. So I would suggest you and your family to take atleast three shots of anti rabies vaccine on days 0 (Day of first shot),3 and 7. Thank you.