What should be done for wound due to puppy's scratch?
Patient: Hi, my wife just was scratched by a puppy's nail(we just took it 3 days), very few amount of blood. She already flashed the wound by water and cleaned by betadine. What should we do now? Should we get the rabies injection now or only observe out puppy in the next 10 days without doing others? Doctor: Hello,Rabies virus spreads through the salivary secretions of the biting animals. The chances of transmission are very, very rare through scratch wounds. However, since there were some blood drops came out following the bite. The wound might have come in contact with the puppy's mucus, then she should definitely be vaccinated against rabies especially if the puppy's vaccination status is not known.Since this disease is 100% fatal, it is best to give the anti-rabies vaccine on 0,3,7,14 and 28 days. If the puppy is under close observation by a specialist until ten days after the scratch and remains healthy, then you can discontinue the vaccination. Besides she must also receive injection tetanus toxoid.Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.Regards,Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali