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Suggest Treatment For Dog Bite

Posted on Tue, 15 Apr 2014

Question: My daughter is 5 years old and3days ago on Sunday was bitten by my pet Labrador which is 45 days old ,I'm confused if I should give my daughter rabipur vaccine,my cousin who is a doctor strongly advises to vaccinate my child for 3 doses,1st today,2nd on day3andday 7,what should I do

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Yes you need to give her antirabies vaccine Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Healthcare Magic, As your daughter was bit by your pet dog which is not vaccinated against rabies , you should give her atleast three doses of antirabies vaccine (Inj Rabipur) as advised by your cousin doctor. For simple reason that rabies, which is transmitted by the dog bite is 100% fatal but it is 100% preventable by proper and adequate treatment. Don't take risk with this disease. I would suggest you to give your daughter antirabies vaccine (Inj Rabipur) on days 0,3,7,14 and 28. Day 0 is a day when first shot of antirabies vaccine is given. The antirabies vaccine should be given by intramuscular route to the shoulder. If the dog is healthy after 3 shots of antirabies vaccine, then you can discontinue the remaining two shots of antirabies vaccine. I hope you will give antirabies vaccine to your daughter. Still if you have any further clarification feel free to post them. Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (1 hour later)

I'm really worried about the vaccines side effects as the jus is only 5 yes old also my paediatrician says we need to give 5 shots...pls advice about the side effects of rabipur

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Side effects are very less Detailed Answer: Hello, It is my pleasure to answer your query, As I have explained you in the last post that, we don't want to take risk with this disease. Under treatment is a problem rather than over treatment. Inj Rabipur is very safe drug in children. At maximum it can cause pain and redness at the site of injection and this will come down by without any treatment. So these side effects shouldn't be a barrier for antirabies vaccine. Once again I insist you to give these antirabies vaccine on the recommended schedule. Still if you have any doubts iam very happy to address them.I hope you will give her antirabies vaccines. Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (31 minutes later)

Sorry to bother u so much doctor...but the problem is we as parents are not sure if it is indeed a dog bite bruise or a scratch in the garden fence..we assume it is a dog bite and my worry is if it is not then will thrre be side effects after giving 5 shots or its not a concern at all and can be given as a preventive vaccine

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: It is protective against rabies Detailed Answer: Hello, I am happy to answer your query, Even it is a scratch or abrasion or bite caused by the dog you have to give the shots of antirabies vaccine to your daughter. It is indeed antirabies vaccine is going to protect your daughter for next five years, even if there is a lacerated wound following the dog bite in future, she requires only two doses of antirabies vaccine. Over treatment is not at all a problem in management of dog bite but under treatment is a problem, some time it may endanger the life. So there should not be any second thought in giving antirabies vaccine to your daughter. I wish all the shots of vaccine will be given to your daughter. If you have any further query don't hesitate to post them. Thank you.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D