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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Tetanus Shot Needed If Dog Bite Draws Blood Exposing Flesh?

Hi iwas playing with my 9!weeks old pup when I caught my finger on he's tooth and split my finger open and was bleeding - now it's open and shows bobbly flesh- I have placed paper stitches but doesn't seem to be working as it's paining and swelling do I need a tetnus jab ?
Wed, 4 May 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi & Welcome.
Yes, you need to take a booster dose of tetanus toxoid.
Before visiting a hospital, the wound should be washed and flushed immediately with soap and water for 10–15 minutes. If soap is not available, flush with water alone. Then the wound should be cleaned thoroughly with 70% Alcohol or Povidone solution.
Avoid covering the wound with paper stitches or dressings.
Suturing facilitates further inoculation of rabies virus.
If necessary suturing should be done by the doctor after infiltration of wound with rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). The sutures should be loose & should not interfere with free bleeding and drainage. The secondary suture of bite wounds results in better cosmetic outcomes.

If your puppy is vaccinated and the vaccination certificate is valid, then there's no need to take the anti-rabies vaccine. Otherwise you will have to take 5 doses of anti-rabies vaccine on days 0,3,7,14 & 30. Observe your puppy for 10 days following the bite and if the puppy is found to be healthy then you may discontinue the remaining doses of vaccine on day 14 and 30.
And make sure that your puppy is vaccinated.
Take care.
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Is Tetanus Shot Needed If Dog Bite Draws Blood Exposing Flesh?

Hi & Welcome. Yes, you need to take a booster dose of tetanus toxoid. Before visiting a hospital, the wound should be washed and flushed immediately with soap and water for 10–15 minutes. If soap is not available, flush with water alone. Then the wound should be cleaned thoroughly with 70% Alcohol or Povidone solution. Avoid covering the wound with paper stitches or dressings. Suturing facilitates further inoculation of rabies virus. If necessary suturing should be done by the doctor after infiltration of wound with rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). The sutures should be loose & should not interfere with free bleeding and drainage. The secondary suture of bite wounds results in better cosmetic outcomes. If your puppy is vaccinated and the vaccination certificate is valid, then there s no need to take the anti-rabies vaccine. Otherwise you will have to take 5 doses of anti-rabies vaccine on days 0,3,7,14 & 30. Observe your puppy for 10 days following the bite and if the puppy is found to be healthy then you may discontinue the remaining doses of vaccine on day 14 and 30. And make sure that your puppy is vaccinated. Take care.