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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is An Anti-rabies Vaccine Recommended After Any Dog Bite?

Should one have an anti-rabies injection after any dog bite? How does one know whether the dog in question has rabies or not? The dog is a sheep dog, belongs to friends and is apparently well cared for. It bit my daughter while she was speaking to the daughter of the owner at the gate of the owner s property. On the same occasion our granddaughter was also bitten. At the time she was a short distance inside the said gate. It happened yesterday. The wounds were painful yesterday but are better today. Both wounds drew blood.They are scrape wounds. Should they have anti-rabies injections or not? On the face of it, the dog appeared to be heathy. We would appreciate your advice.
Fri, 27 Jan 2017
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Infectious Diseases Specialist 's  Response
Hello!
I have been through your question.
Usually for a dog bite I suggest to wash with soap and water the wounds and after to apply a tetanus vaccine and to take an oral antibiotic treatment for 3 days to prevent an infection. According the anti rabies vaccine you should know that rabies is mainly a disease of animals and humans get rabies when they are bitten by infected animals. Bites from unvaccinated dogs cause most of these cases.So, you should inform if the dog is vaccinated with anti rabies vaccine or not. If the dog is not vaccinated I think you should talk with your doctor to do the anti rabies vaccine as well.
I hope my answer help you.
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General & Family Physician Dr. Angeline Regadio's  Response
Hello! I understand your query.Not all dog bite needs anti rabies injection, it depends on the category of dog bite. The dog is usually isolated and observed for extreme behavioral changes such as restlessness, aggressiveness or irritability. Yes both cases you stated needs immediate post exposure prophylaxis because they are category 3 due to presence of bleeding, and might as well have an anti tetanus vaccine since its an open wound. Dog bites are managed according to the dog bite category.

According to WHO (World Health Organization):
Category I – touching or feeding animals, licks on the skin
Category II - nibbling of uncovered skin, minor scratches or abrasions without bleeding, licks on broken skin
Category III – single or multiple transdermal bites or scratches, contamination of mucous membrane with saliva from licks; exposure to bat bites or scratches.

Category I does not need anti rabies injection while Category II and III needs prompt prophylaxis.

With the dog being well cared for makes it less vulnerable to rabies, nevertheless it is necessary to have anti rabies vaccine for both cases. Please visit your nearest animal bite center to have them both vaccinated.

Hope this helps,
A feedback is greatly appreciated. thank you!

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Is An Anti-rabies Vaccine Recommended After Any Dog Bite?

Hello! I have been through your question. Usually for a dog bite I suggest to wash with soap and water the wounds and after to apply a tetanus vaccine and to take an oral antibiotic treatment for 3 days to prevent an infection. According the anti rabies vaccine you should know that rabies is mainly a disease of animals and humans get rabies when they are bitten by infected animals. Bites from unvaccinated dogs cause most of these cases.So, you should inform if the dog is vaccinated with anti rabies vaccine or not. If the dog is not vaccinated I think you should talk with your doctor to do the anti rabies vaccine as well. I hope my answer help you.