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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Remedy For Scratch On The Face By A Large Dog

Hi I just got scratched on the face by a large dog. The scratch goes from my eye to my lip--I am bleeding a bit on the skin directly under my cornea, and my lip is bleeding and swollen. How should I treat this cut? Also I do not know if the dog has had its shots but I doubt it. Do I need to get a rabies shot?
Mon, 27 Jul 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
I went through your concern.I presume the scratch was with its paws and not the teeth. If there is no possibility of the dogs saliva to mix with your bleeding wound then no need for rabies vaccine whether the dog is immunised or not. Rabies spread through contact with dog saliva. And I also presume that your bleeding is not in your cornea of the eye but your conjunctiva. Cornea any damage could result in immediate loss of vision and if that was so you would have already rushed to the ER. bleeding under conjunctiva will automatically settle within 2-3 weeks. However now, you have to get a tetanus vaccination and a topical antibiotic cream like neosporin or mupirocin over the scratch mar will help in healing. Bleeding can be controlled by applying direct pressure for 5-10 mins till bleeding stops.
Regards
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Suggest Remedy For Scratch On The Face By A Large Dog

Hi, I went through your concern.I presume the scratch was with its paws and not the teeth. If there is no possibility of the dogs saliva to mix with your bleeding wound then no need for rabies vaccine whether the dog is immunised or not. Rabies spread through contact with dog saliva. And I also presume that your bleeding is not in your cornea of the eye but your conjunctiva. Cornea any damage could result in immediate loss of vision and if that was so you would have already rushed to the ER. bleeding under conjunctiva will automatically settle within 2-3 weeks. However now, you have to get a tetanus vaccination and a topical antibiotic cream like neosporin or mupirocin over the scratch mar will help in healing. Bleeding can be controlled by applying direct pressure for 5-10 mins till bleeding stops. Regards