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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Dog On Vaccinations Bit On The Lip. What Are The Chances Of Rabies Exposure?

My dog is current on his vaccinations this morning my wife let him go to the restroom at 3:30 am and ge did not want to come in till about 8 this morning at about 11 he scratched me on the lip what is the probability that I could have been exposed to rabies ib that 5 hour gap ive been paranoid about rabies for the padt month after watching a video on youtube of a human infected with it please help calm my nerves
Mon, 3 Dec 2012
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Dear Concerned.,

Thanks for writing to us.

As per your question you have informed that the dog has scratched on your lip.As the dog has only scratched you on lip and not bitten you ,and the dog also is vaccinated, there will not be exposure to dog's saliva with your blood and therefore no chances of Viremia theoretically.
coming to another situation of having been bitten on the lips, there will be chances of exposure .In that case ARV injections will be mandatory for prevention.

Has he actually bitten you?The difference is whether the saliva of the dog has touched the open wound on your lip?If so it is called Third degree bite and needs vaccinations.The third degree bites are usually on neck/face/head and they are usually close to the brain.

The Rabies Virus is a Neurotropic Virus which easily spreads to Central Nervous System in III Degree Bites.

Clean the area with soap water and leave it open.Pls also immunise with ATT(Anti Tetanus Toxoid)ie.0.5 ml IM.Take oral Antibiotics/NSAIDS/Vitamins.

The Anti Rabies Vaccine first dose 0-day ie., on the day of bite/03/07/14/28 days for complete immunisation.



Wishing a speedy recovery.,

Best Regards.,

Dr Lt Cdr ASN Bhushan,Ex-Navy
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Dog On Vaccinations Bit On The Lip. What Are The Chances Of Rabies Exposure?

Dear Concerned., Thanks for writing to us. As per your question you have informed that the dog has scratched on your lip.As the dog has only scratched you on lip and not bitten you ,and the dog also is vaccinated, there will not be exposure to dog s saliva with your blood and therefore no chances of Viremia theoretically. coming to another situation of having been bitten on the lips, there will be chances of exposure .In that case ARV injections will be mandatory for prevention. Has he actually bitten you?The difference is whether the saliva of the dog has touched the open wound on your lip?If so it is called Third degree bite and needs vaccinations.The third degree bites are usually on neck/face/head and they are usually close to the brain. The Rabies Virus is a Neurotropic Virus which easily spreads to Central Nervous System in III Degree Bites. Clean the area with soap water and leave it open.Pls also immunise with ATT(Anti Tetanus Toxoid)ie.0.5 ml IM.Take oral Antibiotics/NSAIDS/Vitamins. The Anti Rabies Vaccine first dose 0-day ie., on the day of bite/03/07/14/28 days for complete immunisation. Wishing a speedy recovery., Best Regards., Dr Lt Cdr ASN Bhushan,Ex-Navy