Do I need a shot for this dog bite?

Lux

I haven't had a tetanus or booster shot or anything of that sort in over 10 years. Today, an unknown dog bit me. It had a collar, looked fairly unthreatening, wasn't like some filthy stray. Either way, I don't know what the dog has.

I'm trying to do research but there's some conflicts. On one hand, it's just a bloody scrape, not a deep bite at all. On the other hand, I haven't had any of the vaccinations for this sort of thing.

I've cleaned the wound. Do I just wait and see if it gets worse?

Figgy

How did you get bit by a random, collared dog? I hope you have contacted the owner in that regard.

Either way, better safe than sorry with a shot. As far as I know, by the time it "gets worse," it's kind of late.

Trillian

Well you wouldn't necessarily need a tetanus shot but a rabies series may not be out of line, especially if it was a stray for any length of time.

Lux

Figgy wrote: »

How did you get bit by a random, collared dog? I hope you have contacted the owner in that regard.

Either way, better safe than sorry with a shot. As far as I know, by the time it "gets worse," it's kind of late.

It was wandering on the front lawn, I saw it had a collar, and tried to see if there was some identification on it. Dog let me pet it but when I tried to feel for the collar it barked and bit my hand.

I didn't know it was a wound at first. It took a few seconds before any blood appeared.

Figgy

Well, in the future, I think it goes without saying that you don't approach unknown animals with sharp teeth. That's just a given.

The fact that this dog was left unleashed is a problem though, and any bills/problems you incur because of this bite should be the responsibility of the dog's owner.

mts

just be wary you might need some antibiotics, dog bites can get infected super fast

rfalias

I was once bitten by an embarrassingly small dog on the cheek when I was a kid. It got infected and turned the size of a grapefruit. Had to have surgery to fix it. Anecdotal but take it for what it's worth.

Find the owner and slap him!!

MichaelLC

I'd go to a doctor. Animal (and human) bites have too many unknowns.

Have you seen this dog before? Really should try to find it.

SwashbucklerXX

Yeah, go to the doctor and get whatever shots s/he recommends. While you're there, get your tetanus booster. It's just good protection to have so you don't have to worry if you scrape yourself on a rusty nail/chain link fence or get into any sort of accident.

DodgeBlan

if it was rabies you'd already be dying

rfalias

DodgeBlan wrote: »

if it was rabies you'd already be dying

Incubation can take a while, he may be asymptomatic until it reaches the CNS, which from a hand bite could take time.

Dark Moon

The bacteria that causes tetanus is an obligate anaerobe - you need a would deep enough that any bacteria transferred from the dog end up well below the skin. If the bite was really superficial, the dog exhibited no symptoms of having rabies and you washed the wound really well very soon after you were bitten, treatment for rabies may be a bit much.

That said, IANAD and go call your doctor etc.

HKPacman420

"Not shot - dog bite. 'Woof woof',not 'bang-bang'."

Anyway, as other have said, you definitely want to get that checked out. Don't take a chance on something like this.

Zombiemambo

HKPacman420 wrote: »

"Not shot - dog bite. 'Woof woof',not 'bang-bang'."

Anyway, as other have said, you definitely want to get that checked out. Don't take a chance on something like this.

pretty much just came in here to post that

NailbunnyPD

If you are still on the fence, call into your local animal control. Report the incident, and ask their opinion. They are probably more familiar than most of us here.

joshofalltrades

Dogs' mouths are filthy

Go to the doctor, I'm sure they'll want to take some preventative measures

EDIT: Also, as usual, Figgy has excellent advice