Those bitten by dog’s often know the dog that bit them and can verify that the dog has previously received a rabies vaccination, in which case rabies is not a concern. You can also apply an antibacterial lotion to the area as a precaution. We explain this fear of dogs and how you can treat the condition. A record of vaccination should be carried and shown to those administering emergency treatments in a post-exposure situation. wounds are left open to heal unless they are on the face or if they could leave Cleveland Clinic © 1995-2020. Canine rabies was eliminated from the US in 2004 but still exists in 122 countries, according to the report. Tetanus is a bacterial disease. If a dog bite tears the skin, it can cause scarring to occur. A healthy dog, cat, or ferret that bites a person should be confined and observed daily for 10 days. If you need medical attention, call for help rather than driving yourself to the doctor or hospital. - Dr. Sanjay Panicker - Duration: 1:48. If you’ve been bitten by a dog and notice signs of infection, see a doctor. Policy. Confinement should be performed in coordination with public health authorities. Unvaccinated Once there’s no longer an immediate threat, it’s important to determine if the dog has been inoculated against rabies. If you notice signs of infection, see your doctor right away. Keep the wound covered and change bandages daily. A. No matter what, make sure you see a doctor within eight hours of a dog bite, he says. Several medical conditions place a patient at high risk of wound and rabies virus infection from a dog bite (Table 1).7 Information that can help determine the patient's risk of infection includes the time of the injury, whether the animal was provoked, and the general health, immunization status and current location of the animal.7 In some locations, notification of animal control or local law enforcemen… If possible, also ask to see some sort of ID. Check the bite often to see if it becomes: If the wound gets worse, you feel pain, or develop a fever, see a doctor immediately. Gently press a clean cloth over the wound to stop the flow of blood. Infections can spread quickly throughout the body. Yes. But for deeper wounds and those from strange dogs, it might be time for a trip to the ER. The number of deaths due to dog bites in the United States annually is very low. canine teeth can bite or scratch. ; The woman was not vaccinated against rabies and sought no medical treatment after the bite. W.H.O. If a dog If your doctor prescribes antibiotics for you, you’ll probably take them for 1 to 2 weeks. Symptoms can appear between 1 and 14 days after a dog bite. That can eliminate the chances that you may be bitten again. Troy Madsen takes us step by step—from what you should do after being bitten to when you should be worried about rabies. It also makes sense to “let sleeping dogs lie,” and to never disturb a dog that’s eating or caring for puppies. A rabies vaccine may be needed to prevent rabies. bites you, take these steps right away: Your doctor will want to know more about the dog that bit you and how it happened. However, in many other countries dogs still carry rabies, and most rabies deaths in people around the world are caused by dog bites. All rights reserved. Vaccine considerations following a dog bite should include evaluation of need for tetanus prophylaxis. Rabies is caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system. Around 1 in 5 dog bites require medical treatment. Dr. ... Should one take dog bite vaccination after dog scratch with no visible blood? Dog bites can be scary and, when left untreated, can also cause serious complications. While a tetanus immunization is good for 10 years, Dr. Sayles notes, your doctor may recommend a booster if the wound is dirty and it’s been more than five years since your last shot. Determine the rabies vaccine status of the dog, if possible. Rabies is another possible infection you can get from even a minor dog bite. Rabies is a potentially fatal condition, which is 100 percent preventable when immediate medical treatment is received. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.