What Causes Joint Pain And Headache After A Vaccinated Dog Bite?

Posted on Thu, 12 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.Also I have been having these twitches in my thigh muscle triceps well as my deltoid muscle. Am really worried

Answered by Dr. Praveen (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Have you undergone vaccination?

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.Thanks for giving me an opportunity to address your query.

I must appreciate for the detailed history and the sequence of events with photographs attached.I would like to know if you have undergone post exposure prophylaxis-vaccination following dog bite.If no, I would always recommend one because the wound is pretty deep.

Since the dog is vaccinated and healthy after 10 days you may not panic.Transmission of virus is unlikely.

Muscle pain and other complaints are not due to rabies; full blown rabies present only in later stages of life with hydrophobia(fear of water) etc.Suggest to take Ibuprofen 400mg twice daily after food for 3 days to alleviate these symptoms.It is available over the counter.

Hope this answers your query.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen (55 minutes later)

So is there a possibility of contracting it. My physician said it was a superficial wound and I didn't require vaccination since the dog was fully vaccinated. He said I was going to be fine.

Answered by Dr. Praveen (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Does not require vaccination if superficial

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.Thanks for writing me back.

The snaps appeared to me like deep wounds.If there is bleeding or oozing of blood from the wound after the bite then vaccination is a must.

Superficial wound need not be vaccination.

Possibility of contracting the infection is almost negligible since the dog is vaccinated and if the wound is superficial.

Hope this answers your query.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen (6 hours later)

Actually there was a little bleeding. However, didn't last for long. I wanted to know if it wouldn't be too late to get the vaccination now since its already been 6 weeks.

Answered by Dr. Praveen (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Vaccination is not required

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.Thanks for writing me back.

Classically I were to start vaccination and Immunoglobulin therapy immediately after bite (since the wound is deep with bleeding) and would discontinue if the dog is healthy at the end of 10 days from the day of bite.

Since the dog is healthy and is vaccinated, logically I were not to recommend vaccination now(after 6 weeks). You may not panic. Chances of acquiring infection is too low.

Hope this answers your query.

Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj