Should I Be Worried I Was Bitten By A Puppy Last Month?

Posted on Sun, 5 Jul 2020

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

Sun, 5 Jul 2020 Answered on

Mon, 8 Sep 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. I was bitten by a puppy last month. It was a rescue case and the puppy was being treated for fracture (from an accident). The bite was not completely unprovoked since she bit me as a reaction to being given an antibiotic injection. I started the vaccine shots the next day and finished the first 3 doses (day 0, 3, 7 on XXXXXXX 6, 9, 13). But the puppy was still alive and quite well after 10+ days, so I didn't take the 4th and 5th doses. The puppy is still alive and well, one month after the bite. I am wondering if I should go back and finish the last 2 doses that I didn't take. Will that help in any way? Will it help protect me from future bites etc.? (I work with animals frequently.)

Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is very unlikely to be fruitful for you to get the remaining doses.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.

As the animal is traceable and is still alive after 10 days of the bite so there are no risk of his being rabid.
You missed the last 2 doses and there is no point in getting them now as there are no clinical indications.
That would be a futile exercise.
In no way ,It would protect you from any future incidences as it is a postexposure regimen and there is no clinical evidence that it would give you any prophylaxis.
Instead,the animals(you work with ) can be vaccinated (if possible).

Hope that I have answered your query.

Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj