Is Anti-rabies Vaccination Required After One Month Of Dog Scratch?

Posted on Fri, 1 Jul 2016

Question: Hi!! On April 11th, a dog walked over my foot ie it touched my foot. On examining I din't see any scratch mark or bleeding. Don't know if there wer any minor abrasions or scratch as I din't see. So I din't take PEP. Also I thought I will observe d dog for 10 days. During dat period d dog was totally normal. But from 3rd to 4th may he started showing symptoms of rabies n died on may 9th. I am scared now. Am I at any risk? I started PEP from 10th may. Please help.
Also from 5 days I am having left leg pain , with mild tingling and pulsations in the same leg.. Also I am having headache and weakness but no fever. Please help . can superficial scratches (which appears only white n no redness) transmit rabies?

Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No chances of rabies

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to healthcaremagic.
You are sick due to some ailment other than Rabies. You are unlikely to be having rabies because Having the dog just walking over your foot does not pose any risk of rabies.
The other point is that dogs do not live beyond 10 days once they are infective. In your case the dog lived nearly a month after the nonbite exposure.
You may safely discontinue the vaccination.
If you have already completed it then no issues.
Please get tetanus prophylaxis if you have not got in preceding 5 years.
Consult a local physician for your present illness which is not due to rabies.
I hope the advise will be helpful for you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Ram Choudhary (2 days later)

Hi!! Actually he walked over my foot, ie it touched me.. his nails must have touched my foot. But I din't see any bleeding.if der wer any minor abrasions I din't see so I don't know. I am scared. Can rabies transmit via superficial scratches when is no bleeding? Is the risk involved less as compared to bites ? Suppose a dog bites someone and then he dies after about 25days because of rabies then would that person be at risk?

Answered by Dr. Ram Choudhary (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
No risk of rabies for you.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
The scratch by dog in not a risky exposure. The bites and licks or fall of saliva on wound and mucus membranes are the risky exposures which is not the case in your matter.
A dog or an animal who is infective will invariably die in ensuing 10days hence the dog was not infectious at the time of exposure. So you do not have to worry about it.
I hope that removes your fear and doubts.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar