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Suggest Treatment Dog Scratch

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Posted on Mon, 8 Dec 2014
Question: We had gone to our relatives place recently. They have one puppy. On 26/10/2014 (approx. 24 days back), this puppy scratched my 7 year old daughter through its paw. I think a little blood also oozed out through the scratch. I got to know about it around 2 hours later. I immediately washed the scratch thoroughly & put anti sceptic cream on it. The puppy was 40 days old then & not vaccinated against rabies. I also did not take my daughter to any doctor for Rabipur shots. Now I am worried. The question is can my daughter be affected by rabies? The puppy is still alive. Please help.

XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please administer anti rabies shots

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Even if the puppy is alive, as it was not a vaccinated animal, if I were your pediatrician I will advise you to get your kid administered with full course of the anti-rabies vaccine.

The vaccines schedule is like - 0,3,7,14,28 days and optional dose on 90th day. The numbers will start like the 0 dose on the day of 1st dose.

Anti-rabies shots can be given even now. Better late than never, so please go ahead with the vaccinations.

I wish your kid a bright future. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link. Please find the link below.
www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (21 hours later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX Amperayani,

thanx for the clarifications. However, I heard & read that it is no use to get the Anti Rabies shots after 10 days! Will it be useful if we administer it now? Although we are going ahead with your advise for shots. Thanx again.

XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explanation for anti-rabies vaccine after 10 days of bite

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX....I agree with what you say. But when compared to the very long latency period of rabies virus, which can stay in the nerves for long time and express anytime (this is called incubation period scientifically), and the deadliness of the disease, as doctors we always err on the the side of benefit of doubt.

Theoretically what you are quoting is perfectly right. As the animal is still alive, it doesn't have rabies. I agree with it. But it is an un-vaccinated animal and the possibility that the animal itself being in the incubation period is also there. Though it is only possibility, when we do not the certainty of it, better to vaccinate.

The only certainty that science know is that anti rabies vaccine can prevent death due to rabies.

This is the reason why I have suggested you to go ahead with vaccination.

I wish your kid a speedy recovery. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link. Please find the link below.
www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumanth Amperayani

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 8339 Questions

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Suggest Treatment Dog Scratch

Brief Answer: Please administer anti rabies shots Detailed Answer: Hi...Even if the puppy is alive, as it was not a vaccinated animal, if I were your pediatrician I will advise you to get your kid administered with full course of the anti-rabies vaccine. The vaccines schedule is like - 0,3,7,14,28 days and optional dose on 90th day. The numbers will start like the 0 dose on the day of 1st dose. Anti-rabies shots can be given even now. Better late than never, so please go ahead with the vaccinations. I wish your kid a bright future. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link. Please find the link below. www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696