Is Rabies Vaccination Necessary After Vaccinated Dog Bite?

Posted on Fri, 13 Jun 2014

Question: Hi I was bitten by a dog about 5 weeks ago. I had washed the area and applied some alcohol on. After I was asked to keep it clean by using hydrogen peroxide and then apply Neosporin. The last time i saw the dog was 7 days after and it was doing pretty well. However I couldn't get the chance to see it again because the one who had the do was just keeping it for the rescue till they got a family to adopt it. The dog was fully vaccinated. However i have been feeling pain in my hand joint and thighs. Also, I have these minor headaches once in a while which gets my eyes hurting as well. I have no redness or itching at the site of the wound. Neither do i have a fever. Am really worried and want to know if it could be rabies related since I didn't see the dog after the 10th day. Attached are pictures of before and after wound healed. Its been 6 weeks now. Am really worried

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not suggestive of rabies!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this dog bite. I have reviewed all the information and images that you have provided. Sincerely, there is no reason to even get concerned about rabies at this time. None of these symptoms is suggestive of a possible rabies infection. Also, because this dog was fully vaccinated, you have just nothing to worry about. I hope you took this opportunity to update your rabies vaccination if you had any lapses.

In all, these symptoms are not suggestive of rabies. Be cal, relaxed and mange these symptoms as minor aches with Tylenol as recommended by your pharmacist and all would soon be okay.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and please do feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be.

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

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (5 minutes later)

Do you mean update the rabies for the dog? Or myself?
Also I have been having these twitches in my thigh muscle triceps well as my deltoid muscle.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I meant your vaccination status!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up with me.

I was referring to your rabies vaccination status. If it is nit up to date, please update it.

These symptoms are for sure accentuated by the fear of having rabies. Considering all the information you provided, there is just no point in saying you have rabies or probably contracted it fro the dog bite.

Be calm, relaxed and it will all be okay.

I wish you well.

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

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)

I didn't get myself vaccinated because I was told I didn't need it.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
How many vaccins against rabies have you received?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up with me.

I am happy to hear your doctor said you didn't need vaccination. Does this means you have been vaccinated against rabies? If so, how many doses did you receive and when was the last dose administered. This will help me to independently confirm whether you are up to date and need no further vaccination.

I wish you well.

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

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)

i have never received vaccination. He said the wound was superficial and didn't look infected. And that since the dog was fully vaccinated I won't need it.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I agree with him....BUT....

Detailed Answer:
I agree with him that you needed no vaccination because
1) The dog was fully vaccinated and
2) It was a superficial wound.

What guarantees the fact that if you should be bitten by a dog next time, you would be protected? If I were your treating physician, I would have taken advantage of this opportunity to propose a complete vaccination schedule to you. This guarantees that no matter what the unfortunate incident is in future with dogs, bats, etc, you are well protected. I like taking control of my health than depending on the fact that dogs I have no idea about would always be vaccinated. Prevention is better than cure.

I hope you understand my worries and reasoning. I wish you well. Let me know what you think.
THanks

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

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)

Also, there was little blood initially... Was thinking that doesn't make it superficial.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
See below

Detailed Answer:
Whenever there is blood, the risk of contamination is real. However, because of the dog's vaccination status, there is no point to get worried.

I still maintain that you consider getting full protection against rabies and never get too worried should you suffer another dog bite in future.

I wish you well and feel free to keep the discussion going on.

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

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (22 minutes later)

If I may ask, since its 6 weeks isn't it too late if i had been exposed?

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not late!

Detailed Answer:
Remember you were at risk but not exposed. The dog didn't have rabies and am sure you were not inoculated any rabies virus.

I a not talking about the immunoglobulins which offer instant protection. i am talking of the vaccines that offers protection for life. You would need 3doses in 21/28days and booster doses every 10years for lifelong protection. This can be done at any time and not necessarily related to a dog bite.

Hope this addresses your query fully.

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

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (5 minutes later)

My worry now is what shows I wasn't infected. Thats what I am worried about.And also what degree of redness are they talking about when considering the symptoms.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
See below

Detailed Answer:
I can confidently say you were not contaminated because you have not developed symptoms of rabies which is universally fatal and the dog was well vaccinated. There is no specific degree of redness that correlates with symptoms of rabies.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more clarifications and information if needed.

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

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (44 hours later)

When they talk about nausea as a symptom what does it mean. Am asking because for about two days now I feel like the food wants to come back up anytime I eat. Is that a symptom?

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No!

Detailed Answer:
Please, you have no risk of developing rabies considering all the information you provided to me.

You may have some other symptoms that are of concern and they need to be addressed as such and not directly tied to a possible rabies. Rabies is fatal and should you develop it, it will leave no room for doubts.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. I will like you to report your symptoms in their entirety to me. I will see what could explain them beyond rabies.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

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