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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Had A Dog Bite. Will The Lab Test Show If The Dog Has Rabies?

My 13 year old dog attempted to bite me... Luckily only scratched my skin with his teeth . I don t think he has rabies but is not up to date with rabies shots. Is there anyway to test myself to see if I have it? And my dog.. I see the research states animal s brain would be needed to test for rabies would lab work show it?
Wed, 6 Mar 2013
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.

Unfortunately there is no lab test which can reliably detect rabies. The only confirmatory test is a brain autopsy. In cases where there a person is exposed to a possible risk, the only way forward is preventive vaccination.

I would suggest that you see a doctor for an assessment of your risk of exposure (there are specific protocols an guidelines for this), so that a decision can be made whether you need to be vaccinated or not. Observation of the animal for a period of atleast 2 weeks, for any signs of rabies or death may be one way to ensure that the animal is not infected.

Wish you all the best.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist & Sexologist
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Had A Dog Bite. Will The Lab Test Show If The Dog Has Rabies?

Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query. Unfortunately there is no lab test which can reliably detect rabies. The only confirmatory test is a brain autopsy. In cases where there a person is exposed to a possible risk, the only way forward is preventive vaccination. I would suggest that you see a doctor for an assessment of your risk of exposure (there are specific protocols an guidelines for this), so that a decision can be made whether you need to be vaccinated or not. Observation of the animal for a period of atleast 2 weeks, for any signs of rabies or death may be one way to ensure that the animal is not infected. Wish you all the best. Regards, Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar Consultant Psychiatrist & Sexologist