Do I need a rabies vaccine if bitten by a puppy without breaking the skin?

Nov 19, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Wang Lei

Introduction

Whether vaccination is needed after being bitten by a puppy without broken skin mainly depends on the health status of the puppy. If any discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. During treatment, keep the wound clean and avoid squeezing the wound yourself to prevent infection. If the biting dog is a stray or wild dog, or if its vaccination history cannot be confirmed, immediate vaccination is recommended.

Generally speaking, whether a person needs to receive a vaccine after being bitten by a puppy without broken skin mainly depends on the health status of the puppy. If the puppy is a domesticated pet dog that has been regularly vaccinated, vaccination may not be necessary. However, if the puppy is a stray dog, a wild dog, or its vaccination history is unknown, it is advisable to receive a vaccine immediately. If any discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:

If the puppy that caused the bite is a domesticated pet dog with a regular vaccination history, immediate rabies vaccination generally is not required. This is because such dogs typically have developed sufficient antibodies against the rabies virus, thus posing a relatively low risk of rabies transmission to humans.

If the puppy that caused the bite is a stray or wild dog, or if its vaccination status is unknown, it is advisable to receive a rabies vaccine even if there is no apparent skin injury. This is because the rabies virus could potentially enter the body through microscopic wounds via the animal's saliva.

During the wound management process, it is important to keep the wound clean and avoid squeezing the wound manually to prevent potential infection.

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