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Suggest Rabies Vaccination Dosage For Dog Bite

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Posted on Tue, 3 Jan 2017
Question: Hello I have a question sir
I was playing with one street dog and was actually feeding the dog and accidently his teeth got in contact with my finger. I couldn't see any cut but could feel the teeth (little soreness at the end of fingernail). I am concerned whether I need vaccination and what precautions are to be taken.
Thank You
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
don't panic, follow the advises..

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX XXXX, Welcome to HCM,
I've gone through your query and understand your concern,

Although you've washed it once, do wash it again with soap and water under running water for another few minutes..

You need to take TT at the earliest(Tetanus Toxoid shot) if not already taken in the past 3 months....

Now, as per the description, although there isn't any visible cut marks , but still it was a street dog and you've mentioned the teeth got in contact with your finger, also the soreness and hard feeling indicates that there must be some nibbling involved, therefore as per the National Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis, You must complete the full course of Rabies vaccination without any confusion..

It's good that you've already noticed it early, so Day 0 of the vaccination should be initiated at the earliest, followed by Day '3' Day '7' & '14' & '28' also..

[Day 'O' is the day of first vaccination, and not the day of bite, don't confuse this, counting will start right from the day of first vaccination, and they must not be missed !!]

Primarily, you need to contact your nearest Hospital/ER physically, for a quick check-up of the finger, followed by the vaccination, so don't worry and follow the exact protocol as I've mentioned and complete the entire schedule of vaccination without any mistake.. stay in touch with your Doctor from time to time for detailed inspection and management of the wound..

As per your description, since there wasn't any visible wound/cut mark, and immediate thorough washing was done, so just need to be vigilant and if you notice any fresh woozing of blood/ any pus formation or any deep wound/ excessive pain/redness over the area/ any fever, then it should be examined without any further delay and you may require a short course of antibiotics (eg. Co-Amoxyclav 625 mg twice daily for 10 days)..

Don't keep the area covered, keep it in open air only..

If possible, just be vigilant about that locality to get any reported news about that dog (if it's a Rabid dog, there should be other victims also, and within next ~10 days, if the dog was infected, there should be reported casualty)..

Don't panic, just follow these instructions at first without any further delay, and let me know how you stay in the due course..

Best Wishes

Take Care
Kind Regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (10 hours later)
Thank you for your answer
I have two queries
1. if the dog is not rabid is there any need to go for vaccination
2. if I delay treatment for next ten days and watch the dog and then go for vaccination if dog had rabies; will that do

Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
follow-up consultation..

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX XXXX, Welcome back,
Coming directly to your questions,

1. Ideally, in pet dogs/pre-vaccinated dogs, vaccination to the exposed subject is not recommended, but since it's a street dog, so you can't be sure about that, so it's always better to go for vaccination

2. You can certainly be watchful for next 10 days, but you have to initiate the other treatments (apart from vaccination as already mentioned earlier).. moreover rabies is a highly fatal disease, that's why it's better not to take chances in such occasions to avoid complications, after all early diagnosis and prevention is always preferable..

Hope this answers your query, don't worry, just follow these instructions at first without any further delay..


Take Care
Kind Regards



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (3 hours later)
Thanks Doc
received my first shot today... am following your advice ..


Thanks once again
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry, however routine and timely follow-up to continue..

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX XXXX, Welcome back,

Glad to know that your following the instructions, yes complete the full course of vaccinations as explained and I believe you've also taken the Tetanus Toxiod Shot as already explained earlier..

Nothing to worry, you should be fine..

Take Care
Kind Regards

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr.Arnab

Critical Care Specialist

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1479 Questions

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Suggest Rabies Vaccination Dosage For Dog Bite

Brief Answer: don't panic, follow the advises.. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX XXXX, Welcome to HCM, I've gone through your query and understand your concern, Although you've washed it once, do wash it again with soap and water under running water for another few minutes.. You need to take TT at the earliest(Tetanus Toxoid shot) if not already taken in the past 3 months.... Now, as per the description, although there isn't any visible cut marks , but still it was a street dog and you've mentioned the teeth got in contact with your finger, also the soreness and hard feeling indicates that there must be some nibbling involved, therefore as per the National Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis, You must complete the full course of Rabies vaccination without any confusion.. It's good that you've already noticed it early, so Day 0 of the vaccination should be initiated at the earliest, followed by Day '3' Day '7' & '14' & '28' also.. [Day 'O' is the day of first vaccination, and not the day of bite, don't confuse this, counting will start right from the day of first vaccination, and they must not be missed !!] Primarily, you need to contact your nearest Hospital/ER physically, for a quick check-up of the finger, followed by the vaccination, so don't worry and follow the exact protocol as I've mentioned and complete the entire schedule of vaccination without any mistake.. stay in touch with your Doctor from time to time for detailed inspection and management of the wound.. As per your description, since there wasn't any visible wound/cut mark, and immediate thorough washing was done, so just need to be vigilant and if you notice any fresh woozing of blood/ any pus formation or any deep wound/ excessive pain/redness over the area/ any fever, then it should be examined without any further delay and you may require a short course of antibiotics (eg. Co-Amoxyclav 625 mg twice daily for 10 days).. Don't keep the area covered, keep it in open air only.. If possible, just be vigilant about that locality to get any reported news about that dog (if it's a Rabid dog, there should be other victims also, and within next ~10 days, if the dog was infected, there should be reported casualty).. Don't panic, just follow these instructions at first without any further delay, and let me know how you stay in the due course.. Best Wishes Take Care Kind Regards