Can Rabies Be Contracted After Being Licked By A Dog?

Posted on Mon, 9 Nov 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 9 Nov 2015 Answered on

Tue, 1 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello just want to know with confirmation that I had a pet dog which is vaccinated yearly and always before due date but he generally lick all the family members with love affection but one thing which came in my mind is that if stray dog saliva came in contact with my dog tongue then there is anything to worry for my family memebers?becasue if stary dog lick or touched my dog with is tongue and both dog tongue touched together and immediately my dog lick any member of my family then is anything to worry or not?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is no problem in the event the pet licked a family member soon after

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. If a stray dogs saliva comes in contact with your dogs tongue then it immediately gets diluted. It is not possible for significant amount of virus to be transferred to your pet dog and your dog is vaccinated. Therefore it is not a problem in the above event when the pet licks a family member.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (55 minutes later)

Sir it means that there is nothing to worry even if dog immediately lick family memebers and dog habit is to sleep on the bed with family members is There anything to worry from this point of view?and sir I have abtibody titre value of 1-12mlafter pre rabies vaccine measured after 3 months ago and now its 6 month sir is pre vaccine is of any use or not as I asked to many vetnarians and they told me that it protect nearly one year from virus is that true?

and sir 10 days theory is valid for dog? if it survive then it's good?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is no need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. In my opinion there is nothing to worry if the pet dog is vaccinated and shares bed with family members. I guess the pet dog is kept clean.

2. The minimum antibody level for acceptable protection is 0.5 0.5 IU/ ml and it is correct that your vaccine will work for a year. Only if you get bitten by a dog then you require booster injections

3. The ten days observation period is valid in more than 99 percent cases.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (59 minutes later)

So sir to maintain good level of antibody yearly then booster dose is taken?can u plz help out yearly how many booster dose needed after 3pre exposure vaccine?

And sir what is the side effect of expired tt booster dose vaccine?its only efficacy decreases or it cause any very ill effect to body?and sir in how many days tetanus develop?im only asking?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find details below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. The antibody is to be maintained above 0.5 IU/ ml for protection.

2. There are different groups of people exposed to animals. One group is continuous exposure and includes those who work closely with the potential sources of rabies virus and are having high risk and they require antibody estimation every 6 months.

3. The other group is those who have frequent contact with animals and these people need to get antibody level every one to two years.

4. A booster is required when antibody level is below 0.5 IU/ ml and single injection is enough.

5. Expired tetanus vaccine can cause many types of side effects and should not be used. Tetanus occurs 8 days after infection.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar