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Suggest Treatment For Animal Bites And Scratches

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Posted on Mon, 13 Apr 2015
Question: Hello, doctor.
A puppy, less than 6 months old, scratched my hand just the tiniest little bit and very little blood came out of the wound. I washed my hand thoroughly, but only after two hours. Which shots do I need?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please take one tetanus shot and anti rabies shots on days 0, 3, 7, 14,30

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in.

I have read through your query in detail.
Getting scratched by a 6 month puppy is a common incident and most of the time the animal is playful and digs its nails. It is good that you have washed with soap as there was little bleeding. However, to be safe you should do the following

(i) Take a tetanus toxoid shot
(ii) As per international recommendations, one dose of anti rabies vaccine Rabipur (the vaccine) should be administered on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 30 in the deltoid muscle in adults. Therefore totally you should take 5 doses of this vaccine.

The above measures will protect you completely.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (9 minutes later)
Thank you so much for your fast reply. I was wondering if getting the shots tomorrow would be fine, as I am not in a condition to go to a hospital. I was scratched around 4 hours ago.
I was also wondering if the rabies shot were important since the puppy (female) did not bite me, she just scratched me
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Taking anti rabies vaccine is important and safe, please do not worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

It is alright if you go to the hospital tomorrow morning. It will still be within 24 hours and counted as day 0.

Puppies are innocent creatures and as I said it must have been done in a playful manner. I myself have been scratched by my pet and have taken complete course of anti rabies shots. This is a preventive procedure and people in zoos take this vaccine regularly. This vaccine is safe and least likely to cause any side effect.

Therefore I recommend that you please take the anti rabies shots as per recommended dose starting tomorrow and counting it as day 0.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (22 hours later)
Thank you, doctor. I got my shot today in the morning.
Thank you for the clarification
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Welcome and thanks for sending in your query.

It is good to know that you have taken the first shot. Please take all 5 doses of anti rabies vaccine for complete protection.
Hope you also took the tetanus toxoid injection.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6874 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Animal Bites And Scratches

Brief Answer: Please take one tetanus shot and anti rabies shots on days 0, 3, 7, 14,30 Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Thanks for writing in. I have read through your query in detail. Getting scratched by a 6 month puppy is a common incident and most of the time the animal is playful and digs its nails. It is good that you have washed with soap as there was little bleeding. However, to be safe you should do the following (i) Take a tetanus toxoid shot (ii) As per international recommendations, one dose of anti rabies vaccine Rabipur (the vaccine) should be administered on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 30 in the deltoid muscle in adults. Therefore totally you should take 5 doses of this vaccine. The above measures will protect you completely. Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek