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Is Anti Rabies Vaccine Effective Post One Week Of Getting Dog Scratch?
Hello doctor, I had house dog scratch on 11th December 2013. As it is a house dog, and there was no any bleeding, I didn t took any immediate action, however, on 18th December 2013, I felt slight body temperature. After that I went to near by government hospital and they advised me to take antirabis vaccine on 19,22,26 of December i.e. on 0,3 and 7th days and 17th (28 days) of January. I was known that there should be 5 doses but they asked me to go only for 4 doses. As I have gone for vaccination after a gap of almost one week of dog scratch, is it workable after such gap? If it is bite even, does it works the vaccine after such gap? Is it possible to eat chicken, mutton or egg for me?
Fri, 25 Apr 2014
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Before answering your query, I would like to give brief information regarding animal bite.
1. All animal bites e.g. dog, cat, bat, horse, rat bite etc can cause rabies.
2. The risk is more with stray animal bites.
3. Vaccinated animal bites carry less risk of rabies.
4. Tetanus toxoid should be taken in all animal bite/ scratches.
5. Bites/ scratches which bleed are more serious.
6. The schedule for rabies vaccine is day 1,3,7,14,28 and 90 days. Day 0 being the day of animal bite.
7. Bites/ scratches should be washed with soap and running water immediately.
In your case, the scratch was by a domestic vaccinated dog with no bleeding.
The rabies vaccination does not have much role after one week.
The onset of fever is not suggestive of fever.
Anti-rabies vaccine will have no effect at this time so no use taking it.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Before answering your query, I would like to give brief information regarding animal bite.
1. All animal bites e.g. dog, cat, bat, horse, rat bite etc can cause rabies.
2. The risk is more with stray animal bites.
3. Vaccinated animal bites carry less risk of rabies.
4. Tetanus toxoid should be taken in all animal bite/ scratches.
5. Bites/ scratches which bleed are more serious.
6. The schedule for rabies vaccine is day 1,3,7,14,28 and 90 days. Day 0 being the day of animal bite.
7. Bites/ scratches should be washed with soap and running water immediately.
In your case, the scratch was by a domestic vaccinated dog with no bleeding.
The rabies vaccination does not have much role after one week.
The onset of fever is not suggestive of fever.
Anti-rabies vaccine will have no effect at this time so no use taking it.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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