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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Dog Bite

A dog chased me while riding my bike.it tried to bite me but I saved myself for the bite..unfortunately the dogs teeth made contact with my left leg .the scar is not deep but just the upper layer of the skin with very little blood ..should I take anti rabies vaccine ?
Wed, 13 May 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello and welcome,

I'm sorry you were bitten! Since you describe that the bite is not deep, then basic wound care is the first thing to do. If the wound does not need to be closed with sutures, you can wash the wound, either with tap water or saline, flushing it out, and then cover it with a clean bandage.

If you received 3 tetanus vaccines in the past (usually as a child), the wound is a clean minor wound (not a puncture wound) and you have had a tetanus shot in the past 10 years, then you do not need to have a tetanus booster. If you never receive a "primary series" of 3 shots, or if you haven't had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years, then having one now is recommended.

Now about the need for a rabies vaccine:
If it is possible, ask the owner of the dog whether the dog has been immunized for rabies. Get the name of the dog's veterinarian and contact him or her to confirm that the dog's rabies immunizations are up to date.

The dog should be quarantined (such as kept in the owner's house or fenced in yard) and observed for 10 days to make sure it doesn't show signs of rabies.

If the dog gets sick during the 10-day period, a veterinarian will test it for rabies. If the dog does have rabies, you will need to get a series of rabies shots.

If the dog is a stray or you can't find the owner, call the animal control agency or health department in your area. They will try to find the dog so it can be tested for rabies.

If the animal control agency or health department can't find the dog that bit you, if the dog shows signs of rabies after the bite or if a test shows that the dog has rabies, it is recommended that you get a series of rabies shots.

Animal control and the police should be notified and the bite reported even if you do know the owner of the dog, to help prevent future bites.

Watch for signs of infection and see a doctor if there is increasing redness or a discharge/pus. This is less likely in the bite you described as it sounds as though your bite is superficial.

I hope this information helps you. Good luck to you.
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Suggest Treatment For Dog Bite

Hello and welcome, I m sorry you were bitten! Since you describe that the bite is not deep, then basic wound care is the first thing to do. If the wound does not need to be closed with sutures, you can wash the wound, either with tap water or saline, flushing it out, and then cover it with a clean bandage. If you received 3 tetanus vaccines in the past (usually as a child), the wound is a clean minor wound (not a puncture wound) and you have had a tetanus shot in the past 10 years, then you do not need to have a tetanus booster. If you never receive a primary series of 3 shots, or if you haven t had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years, then having one now is recommended. Now about the need for a rabies vaccine: If it is possible, ask the owner of the dog whether the dog has been immunized for rabies. Get the name of the dog s veterinarian and contact him or her to confirm that the dog s rabies immunizations are up to date. The dog should be quarantined (such as kept in the owner s house or fenced in yard) and observed for 10 days to make sure it doesn t show signs of rabies. If the dog gets sick during the 10-day period, a veterinarian will test it for rabies. If the dog does have rabies, you will need to get a series of rabies shots. If the dog is a stray or you can t find the owner, call the animal control agency or health department in your area. They will try to find the dog so it can be tested for rabies. If the animal control agency or health department can t find the dog that bit you, if the dog shows signs of rabies after the bite or if a test shows that the dog has rabies, it is recommended that you get a series of rabies shots. Animal control and the police should be notified and the bite reported even if you do know the owner of the dog, to help prevent future bites. Watch for signs of infection and see a doctor if there is increasing redness or a discharge/pus. This is less likely in the bite you described as it sounds as though your bite is superficial. I hope this information helps you. Good luck to you.