HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Sore Throat After A Vaccinated Dog Bite?

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2015

Question: My name is XXXX. I live in Ottawa, Canada. I have a dog, a Labrador Retriever. He has been vaccinated for rabies, and is not due for another vaccination till 2016. One month ago, we were roughhousing, and he snapped at my knee. The bite left scratches, and one tooth mark. Although my skin at the site of the mark became red, it did not bleed. I am not vaccinated. One month later, I began having a sore throat, which I still have, three days later. I have no difficulty swallowing, but my throat hurts when I swallow. This pain is not getting worse. I have air conditioning at the office, in the car, and in my home. I have no other symptom. I feel well. I have no fever. I am not drooling, or foaming at the mouth. I am not weeping. I am not irritable. I have no difficulty breathing. I feel no sensation at the site of the wound. My dog has no symptom of rabies either. He seems well, alert and active. He shows no aggression, although he does bark at other dogs when we walk, which is usual. He is not drooling, or foaming at the mouth. Is it still possible I might have caught rabies from my dog? If I am infected, how soon will the infection cause other symptoms in me?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
you're not infected

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,

the fact the dog bite you does not mean anything because - as you said - it wasn't unprovoked. Also the fact that your dog is OK means that it wasn't diseased. Few days after the symptoms (and the bites) initiate the animal is expected to die. So these facts alone are enough to exclude rabies.

Besides that, if your symptoms were caused by rabies, it would be too late!
Sore throat is a symptom of common upper respiratory tract infections, so this kind of symptoms raises no concern.

If rabies symptoms occur, it takes 2-10 days before the most severe symptoms begin.

So in conclusion, I don't believe that you have rabies, because your dog's behavior seems normal, the bite was provoked and the symptoms that you mentioned commonly occur during upper respiratory tract infections.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!

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

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (15 minutes later)

Thank you doctor for your prompt response, which was most helpful. I think it will lead to a speedier recovery of my tract infection. Next time, I'll see a doctor right away to see if treatment is required, instead of convincing myself a visit is unnecessary. Let this be a cheap lesson. I'll be using your services again rest assured, but I hope, not for this episode.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You're welcome!

Detailed Answer:
I'll be glad to help you again, if I can, in the future!

Kind Regards!

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

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