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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does A Dog Bite Require Medical Attention Despite The Animal Being Vaccinated?

I was bitten by a dog today. It wasn t a puncture wound. More so a 3cm wide - 1 1\2 inch long scratch. I was able to stop the bleeding and cleaned it with alcohol, peroxide and put Neosporin on it and wrapped it. The dog had all its shots. But should I still go to urgent care?
Wed, 13 Jul 2016
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  Anonymous's Response
's  Response
Hello,
Dog bite wound should always be treated with special care and vaccination. As per your explaination of problem it suggests "Category 3" dog bite wound. Categor 3 dog bite wound incluedes Abrasions, close laceration, and wound site perforation by dog teeth and nails with bleeding.
First of all you should hold the wound under running tap water and clean it with soap, then keep it open. Closure of dog bite wound is strictly prohibited untill and unless there is active bleeding. Then you should consult your primary physician as soon as possible for general check up and dressing in case of active bleeding.
Since you are saying that dog is fully immunised and taken all shots of vaccination, you don't need to take Rabis vaccines but you have to examine dog properly as well weather he has been bitten by some other Rabis infected dog or any other animal. If it is so then you will have to take full immunisation.
Your primary physician will decide appropriate line of treatment and vaccination schedule according to choice of anti Rabis vaccine type and root of administration. Same time keep observing the dog for 3-4 weeks to evaluate any changes or behavior which suggest Rabis infection.

Thanks and Take Care..
Dr. Suraj D.
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Does A Dog Bite Require Medical Attention Despite The Animal Being Vaccinated?

Hello, Dog bite wound should always be treated with special care and vaccination. As per your explaination of problem it suggests Category 3 dog bite wound. Categor 3 dog bite wound incluedes Abrasions, close laceration, and wound site perforation by dog teeth and nails with bleeding. First of all you should hold the wound under running tap water and clean it with soap, then keep it open. Closure of dog bite wound is strictly prohibited untill and unless there is active bleeding. Then you should consult your primary physician as soon as possible for general check up and dressing in case of active bleeding. Since you are saying that dog is fully immunised and taken all shots of vaccination, you don t need to take Rabis vaccines but you have to examine dog properly as well weather he has been bitten by some other Rabis infected dog or any other animal. If it is so then you will have to take full immunisation. Your primary physician will decide appropriate line of treatment and vaccination schedule according to choice of anti Rabis vaccine type and root of administration. Same time keep observing the dog for 3-4 weeks to evaluate any changes or behavior which suggest Rabis infection. Thanks and Take Care.. Dr. Suraj D.