I Was Scratched On My Arm By My Friend's Playful

Posted on Tue, 1 Oct 2019

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

Tue, 1 Oct 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I was scratched on my arm by my friend's playful pet puppy 2 days back. the scratch has since dried. should I have to take any precaution????

Answered by Dr. Dr. (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
may require anti-rabies vaccine....

Detailed Answer:
I have gone through your query and here is my advice.

Please let me know that whether that puppy is vaccinated or not?

If you would have been my patient, I would suggest you to take injection anti-rabies vaccine on day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28.

As per guidelines, if there is no bleeding than there is no need to take injection anti-rabies serum.

As per many studies, rabies infection may also transmit through scratch and as rabies is non curable disease, so it would be always better to take anti-rabies vaccine after physician consultation.

Along with that, you can clean with soap and water and maintain proper hygiene. There is no need to cover it.

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further...

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. (40 hours later)

Thanks Doc. I have confirmed that the puppy was duly vaccinated.
The scratch was a two nail & superficial.

Answered by Dr. Dr. (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
still, take anti-rabies vaccine as per schedule.....

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for your reply.

Even though the puppy is duly vaccinated, the efficacy(effectiveness) of vaccine should be confirmed by laboratory evidence.

So, I would suggest you to take anti-rabies vaccine as per the schedule as rabies is a non curable disease.

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.....

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad