Hi there, Thank you for choosing healthcaremagic. I would like to know a few things before I am able to answer you. Whether there was any bleeding at the site of the scratch and did the dog lick the scratch. Is the dog a pet and has he been completely vaccinated against rabies. Has the dog s behavior changed since the scratch? If there was any slight blood at the site of scratch or it came in contact with the dog s mucus, then she should definitely be vaccinated against rabies especially if the dog s vaccination status is not known. Also, she will need tetanus vaccination. There are no significant side effects of the rabies vaccine, only common reactions maybe local redness and swelling or some nausea. But since this disease is 100% fatal, it is best to give the vaccine if there are any doubts on dog licking the area if it bled or if the dog is stray. You can start the vaccination and if the dog is under close observation by a specialist till 10 days after the scratch and remains healthy, then you can discontinue the vaccination. Please visit your doctor for the wound to be examined, so that next appropriate steps could be taken. Hope this is of help to you. Regards, Dr. Sumeet.