Is Rabies Vaccination Required After Being Bitten By A Dog?

Posted on Thu, 16 Feb 2017

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

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 Answered on

Wed, 8 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Good morning doc,
This is XXXX, thanks for helping me last time.
Yesterday i went to visit a friend, unknowingly from behind i was attacked by
2 little white hairy dogs and had a small bite on my trouser and on my back leg. Although its a scratch on my leg but i don't want to be ignorant of my health.

Secondly, i have been having boils on my right armpit. I have not taken any medication yet.

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Rabies vaccine

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX, as for getting bitten by dogs, if you can find out whether the dogs are vaccinated against rabies or not will be beneficial . if they were vaccinated then only disinfect the scratch with alcohol and apply an antibiotic ointement. if the dogs were not vaccinated or you were unable to find out if they are vaccinated then you should take rabies vaccine on days 0,7,14,2,28 and apply the same for the scratch.
as for the boils most probably due to staph aureus infection and could be aggravated by shaving . avoid shaving for a while and apply an antibiotic ointement as gentamicin for 3 times daily. I hope I answered your question

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad