Should I Have Gotten A Rabies Shot I Helped Rescue A Squirrel That Had Fallen But It Bit Me?

Posted on Sun, 13 Dec 2020

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

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 Answered on

Wed, 9 Apr 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : In September I helped rescue a squirrel that had fallen out of a tree and he scratched me (through a plastic glove). It didn’t appear to break the skin and there was no blood. I never sought any treatment for it and all of the sudden I’m panicking after reading something (unrelated to this incident) about rabies. Should I have gotten a rabies shot?

Answered by Dr. Diwashish Biswas (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question, I understand your concern.
Direct answer of your question is, you should not.
You do not need to get vaccinated for rabies.
Now explanation for this is, as you were wearing gloves and there was no bleeding after scratching, there is no chance of transmission of rabies virus.
So don't worry take a chill.
I hope your query is clear now.
Thanks and regards
Dr Diwashish biswas

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Diwashish Biswas (16 hours later)

Follow up: the scratch or bite (not sure which is was) broke the gloves because they were latex gloves. I am 99.9% sure there wasn’t any break in the skin. I definitely didn’t bleed. But could it be transmitted through a tiny would that wasn’t seen?

Follow up: Dr. Diwashish Biswas (1 minute later)

Tiny *wound that wasn’t seen.

And do they even give rabies shots 3 months after possible exposure?

Answered by Dr. Diwashish Biswas (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No, not possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome To Ask A Doctor Service
I have gone through your question, I understand your concern.
No, if no bleeding then no possibility of transmission.
And no need after 3 months of exposure.
I hope your query is clear now.
Thanks and regards
Dr Diwashish biswas

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T