Do you need a tetanus shot for a dog scratch?

Even though they happen frequently, animal bites and scratches are frequently underestimated in terms of potential severity. Any kind of animal’s bite or scratch, no matter how minor, can become infected with bacteria that could be dangerous and occasionally result in serious complications. Although scratches and bites may not appear “angry” or infected, they still carry a number of risks, including the possibility of contracting tetanus.

Animal bites and scratches can happen at any time and depend greatly on the situation, as one might expect. For instance, dog bites are typical and are responsible for 98% of all rabies cases reported globally. Contrary to popular belief, cat scratches and bites are more likely to become infected than dog bites, despite how common they are.

Last but not least, despite how minor or severe they may be, scratches and bites from wild animals like raccoons, coyotes, skunks, foxes, and bats should always be treated by a medical professional.

Depending on the severity of the incident, the signs and symptoms of animal bites and scratches can differ quite significantly. These may include the following:

Discussing the specifics of the injury with your treating professional is the first step in diagnosing an animal bite or scratch. From there, an approach to treatment will be discussed. In order to prevent the possibility of infection, the wound will typically be cleaned and dressed (wounds with missing skin or those that are particularly deep may need special dressings). Stitches may also be employed if necessary. Antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce the risk of infection.

A vaccine may be given as a preventative measure if the affected person has not received their tetanus shot in a timely manner.

As soon as possible after the injury, a treating provider should see children who exhibit symptoms following an animal bite or scratch. A tetanus shot may be given to kids who haven’t had their shots.

Every day at ConvenientMD, we see numerous cases of animal bites and scratches. While many injuries can be effectively and quickly treated, complications can occasionally occur and can only be avoided when injuries are attended to as soon as possible. We’re here to assist if you or a member of your family has been bitten or scratched.

You don’t need to schedule an appointment; just drop by one of our accessible urgent care centers in New Hampshire, Maine, or Massachusetts when you’re ready to be treated.

What to Do:

If the bite or scratch wound is bleeding, apply pressure to the area with a clean bandage or towel until the bleeding stops. If available, use clean latex or rubber gloves to protect yourself and to prevent the wound from getting infected.

If the wound is not bleeding heavily, clean it with soap and water, and hold it under running water for several minutes.

Dry the wound, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover it with sterile gauze or a clean cloth.

Call your doctor if the bite or scratch broke or punctured the skin, even if the area is small. A child who is bitten by an animal may need antibiotics, a tetanus booster, or rarely, a series of rabies shots. A bite or scratch on a childs face, hand, or foot is particularly at risk for infection and should be checked by your doctor as soon as possible.

If your child was bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar or wild animal, note the location of the animal. Some animals may have to be captured, confined, and observed for rabies. But do not try to capture the animal yourself. Instead, call the animal control office or animal warden in your area.

Get immediate medical care if:

• the injury is on the hand, foot, neck, face, or close to a joint.
• Even after applying pressure for ten minutes, the wound is still bleeding
• the wound appears to be deep, large, or severe
• the attacking animal was stray or wild or behaving strangely
• If a bite or scratch gets worse, it gets redder, hotter, swollen, or has pus coming from it.
• Your child may be more susceptible to infection because of a compromised immune system or another illness.
• your childs tetanus immunizations are not up to date

Teach your kids not to play with or provoke any animals, including household pets, and to stay away from strange animals. Avoid disturbing animals while they are eating or sleeping.

Make sure your pet is properly licensed and immunized if you own one.

Signs of an infection from a scratch wound

While your dog’s scratch wound is healing, keep an eye out for any of the following potential infections:

increased redness and swelling

red streaks near the wound that aren’t scratches

fever

pus from the wound

weakness and fatigue

If you notice any indications of infection from a dog scratch, consult a doctor.

Some dogs carry a bacteria in their mouths called Capnocytophaga. While these bacteria rarely spread to people, there’s still a chance of getting sick from exposure to an animal’s saliva, especially if you have a weakened immune system.

Capnocytophaga infections can progress quickly, even becoming life-threatening. Possible symptoms related to this type of infection include:

swelling

redness and blisters

pus from the bite

fever

headache

muscle or joint aches

abdominal pain

diarrhea

vomiting

If you experience any signs of infection following a dog scratch, call or see a doctor. Additionally, you should always seek medical attention after being bitten by a dog, especially if it isn’t your own.

If a dog bit you, you should go to the doctor to rule out the possibility of rabies and other potentially fatal illnesses.

When an infected animal bites you, you could get rabies, a type of viral infection. Due to the virus’s attack on the nervous system, this is an extremely dangerous infection that can be fatal in both animals and humans.

Although there is a possibility of animal-to-animal transmission, in the United States, human infections from domestic pets are less frequent. The rabies vaccine used on domesticated animals is responsible for some of this decreased risk.

However, if a dog has caused a serious wound, rabies should be taken into consideration, especially if the dog is a stray or hasn’t received rabies vaccinations. An infected dog’s saliva from biting or unintentional scratching may spread the virus.

Potential Infections Can Occur from a Dog Scratch

Dogs walk on all fours and dig in anything they can find, so their nail beds are extremely filthy. They may contain tetanus and other bacteria and fungi that can easily infect people through cut or otherwise damaged skin. Additionally, dogs lick their paws, spreading bacteria from their mouths to their nail beds. Occasionally, if the scratch breaks the skin, MRSA or the bacteria Capnocytophaga can infect people.

Online searches for “Can I get rabies from a dog scratch?” are common. Although it is extremely unlikely, rabies can still spread to humans through an animal scratch. The rabies virus can only enter unbroken skin if it comes into contact with saliva or brain tissue from an animal that has the disease. Theoretically, infection could happen if a rabid dog scratched a person with saliva-covered nails; however, the majority of dogs have received rabies vaccinations and are not at risk for infection. If your dog has come into contact with a rabid animal, take extra precautions and get them medical attention right away.

FAQ

Can you get tetanus from a dog scratch?

They can harbor a variety of bacteria and fungi, including tetanus, that can easily infect humans through broken skin. Potential Infections Can Occur from a Dog Scratch

Should I be worried about a dog scratch?

Any kind of animal’s bite or scratch, no matter how minor, can become infected with bacteria that could be dangerous and occasionally result in serious complications. Although scratches and bites may not appear “angry” or infected, they still carry a number of risks, including the possibility of contracting tetanus.

What to do if a dog scratches you with nail?

1. First, use warm water and soap to gently wash the dog scratch wound without scrubbing it. Rinse for at least 5 minutes.
2. Apply pressure with a clean gauze pad to the area if the dog scratch is bleeding.
3. Apply an over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic cream or ointment.
4. Cover the wound with a sterile bandage.

Can you get sick from dog scratch?

The mouths of dogs and cats are home to a variety of bacteria (germs) known as Capnocytophaga. These germs do not make dogs or cats sick. Occasionally, Capnocytophaga germs can be transmitted to people through dog or cat bites, scratches, or close contact, and they may cause illnesses like sepsis.