Do I need a rabies vaccine if bitten by a puppy?
Mar 26, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Feng
Introduction
If bitten by a puppy and there is only mild redness of the skin without any break in the skin or bleeding, there is generally no route for viral infection, so rabies vaccination is usually not necessary. However, if there is any skin damage or bleeding, regardless of the severity of the wound, prompt administration of the rabies vaccine is required to prevent rabies, as the virus may enter the body through even tiny wounds and lead to the development of rabies.
Whether a rabies vaccine is needed after being bitten by a puppy depends on the extent of skin damage and should be evaluated accordingly.
1. Not required
If the bite from a puppy only causes slight redness of the skin without any breakage or bleeding, there is generally no pathway for viral infection, so a rabies vaccine is usually not necessary.
2. Required
If there is any skin injury or bleeding, regardless of the severity of the wound, it's important to receive the rabies vaccine promptly to prevent rabies, as the virus may enter the body through even tiny wounds and lead to rabies infection.
Once infected with rabies, the fatality rate is typically very high; therefore, receiving the rabies vaccine is generally recommended to prevent the onset of rabies.
