Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
141 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Should Rabies Vaccination Be Taken After A Dog Scratch?

Hi Doctor. This is a question regarding the rabies vaccination. I am an animal lover and a daily feeder. 2 days back I was feeding a dog and the dog came and licked my finger. Though the skin was almost intact, there was a peeled skin and a small dry scratch-like wound in my finger. The dog seems healthy and there is no change in his behavioral characteristics. Only problem is, I noticed that it starts frothing from the mouth while eating. And it froths a lot( Only during feeding). After feeding I washed the wound after 5-10 mins with running water for around 1 minute. Then after 10 mins I applied hand sanitizer, then washed thoroughly with soap and water twice and then again applied sanitizer twice. I received rabies vaccination thrice previously. First time I received 6 doses of VERORAB (PVRV) along with Immunoglobin. The 2nd time I received 5 doses of verorab and the third time which happened around 1.5 years back, I took 5 doses of RABIPUR (PCECV) as directed by physician. Do I need to take the rabies vaccination again for this time? Should I observe the dog for 10 days and then start the vaccination?
posted on Tue, 5 Jul 2016
Twitter Sat, 2 Nov 2019 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 7 Nov 2019 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
Emergency Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello,

What are the clinical features of rabies in dogs?

Dog rabies is characterized by changes to its normal behavior, such as:

● biting without any provocation
● eating abnormal items such as sticks, nails, feces, etc.
● running for no apparent reason
● a change in sound e.g. hoarse barking and growling or inability to make a sound
● excessive salivation or foaming at the angles of the mouth – but not hydrophobia (fear of water).

Is simply observing the biting dog or cat for 10 days without starting treatment justified?

No. In countries where rabies is prevalent in a large population of dogs and cats, it is compulsory to start treatment and keep the biting dog/cat under 10 days of observation.

If the animal remains healthy during the observation period then post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can be converted into a pre-exposure regimen, i.e. the vaccine taken will be to prevent rabies if bitten in the future.

If a previously immunized person is bitten by a rabid dog again, what is the re-exposure vaccination schedule?

If a person has been previously fully vaccinated against rabies using a modern rabies vaccine, either for pre-exposure or post-exposure vaccination by IM or ID route, only two doses of vaccines are given on days 0 and 3.

NOW COMING TO YOUR SPECIFIC CASE. Yours was a Cat II wound and hence, you need to again take atleast 2 doses of vaccine on Day 0 and Day 3.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Kalpajit Banik, Emergency Medicine Specialist

I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
Should Rabies Vaccination Be Taken After A Dog Scratch?

Hello, What are the clinical features of rabies in dogs? Dog rabies is characterized by changes to its normal behavior, such as: ● biting without any provocation ● eating abnormal items such as sticks, nails, feces, etc. ● running for no apparent reason ● a change in sound e.g. hoarse barking and growling or inability to make a sound ● excessive salivation or foaming at the angles of the mouth – but not hydrophobia (fear of water). Is simply observing the biting dog or cat for 10 days without starting treatment justified? No. In countries where rabies is prevalent in a large population of dogs and cats, it is compulsory to start treatment and keep the biting dog/cat under 10 days of observation. If the animal remains healthy during the observation period then post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can be converted into a pre-exposure regimen, i.e. the vaccine taken will be to prevent rabies if bitten in the future. If a previously immunized person is bitten by a rabid dog again, what is the re-exposure vaccination schedule? If a person has been previously fully vaccinated against rabies using a modern rabies vaccine, either for pre-exposure or post-exposure vaccination by IM or ID route, only two doses of vaccines are given on days 0 and 3. NOW COMING TO YOUR SPECIFIC CASE. Yours was a Cat II wound and hence, you need to again take atleast 2 doses of vaccine on Day 0 and Day 3. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Kalpajit Banik, Emergency Medicine Specialist