Is Rabies Vaccination Required When Scratched By A Dog?

Posted on Thu, 22 Jan 2015

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

Thu, 22 Jan 2015 Answered on

Thu, 19 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question :
I got scratched by my dog when i held him for his annual shots. It bled a little. Should i go in for a vaccine? I don't suspect he is rabid but he was very nervous at that time

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief answer....must get vaccinated
Detailed answer...
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Since the dogs keep licking their claws,even a scratch from their claws can cause rabies.
Since rabies is 100% fatal and 100% preventable,you should not take any chance.
Get your self vaccinated by taking the vaccine on days 0,3 and 7.
Wash your wound with soap or alcohol.
Keep observing your dog.
If your dog develops rabies or he dies,then you can take further shots on 14th day and 28th day.
In case your dog is healthy and nothing happened to him,you can stop further vaccine.
I hope it helps,however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

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