Do you need a tetanus shot for a dog scratch? A Step-by-Step Guide

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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 wound is on the face, neck, hand, foot, or near a joint
    • the wound wont stop bleeding after 10 minutes of direct pressure
    • the wound appears to be deep, large, or severe
    • the attacking animal was stray or wild or behaving strangely
    • the bite or scratch has pus coming from it, or becomes red, hot, swollen, or increasingly painful
    • your child has a weakened immune system or other medical condition that might make an infection more likely
    • your childs tetanus immunizations are not up to date

    • Teach your children to stay away from strange animals, and not to tease or provoke any animals, even family pets. Animals should not be disturbed while they are eating or sleeping.

    If you own a pet, make sure its properly immunized and licensed.

    Signs of an infection from a scratch wound

    While your dog scratch wound heals, look for the following possible signs of an infection:

  • increased redness and swelling
  • red streaks near the wound that aren’t scratches
  • fever
  • pus from the wound
  • weakness and fatigue

    • See a doctor if you notice any signs of infection from a dog scratch.

    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

    • Call or visit a doctor if you’re experiencing any signs of infection post-dog scratch. It’s also a good idea to seek medical attention any time you’ve been scratched by a dog — especially if the dog isn’t your own.

    In the case of a dog bite, you should seek medical care to rule out the risk of rabies and other potentially life-threatening diseases.

    Rabies is a type of viral infection that can occur when bitten by an animal that’s infected. This is a serious infection that can be fatal in both animals and humans, due to the virus’s attack on the nervous system.

    While animal-to-animal transmission is possible, it’s not as common for humans to be infected by household pets in the United States. Part of this reduced risk is attributed to rabies vaccines in domesticated animals.

    Still, rabies ought to be considered in the case of a serious wound from a dog, particularly if it’s a stray dog or one who hasn’t been vaccinated against rabies. The virus may be transmitted through an infected dog’s saliva from biting or accidental scratching.

    Can you get tetanus from dog scratch?

    Potential Infections Can Occur from a Dog Scratch

    Dogs walk on all four feet and dig in whatever they can find, which means dog nail beds are very dirty. They can harbor all sorts of bacteria and fungi that can readily infect humans through broken skin, including tetanus.

    When to get a Tetanus Shot | Can you get Tetanus from a Scratch

    Animal bites and scratches are extremely common, although often overlooked in terms of potential severity. Even a minor bite or scratch from an animal of any kind can become infected with bacteria that may be harmful, occasionally leading to serious complications. While scratches and bites may not look “angry” or infected, this is not to say that they don’t come along with plenty of risks—including the risk of tetanus.

    As one might expect, animal bites and scratches can occur at any time and are highly dependent upon circumstance. Dog bites, for example, are common and account for 98% of rabies cases reported worldwide. Cat scratches and bites are equally common, and despite what many may think, they’re actually more likely to result in infection than dog bites.

    Finally, scratches and bites from wild animals such as raccoons, coyotes, skunks, foxes and bats—all of which are cause for concern—occur regularly and should always be addressed by a medical professional no matter how mild or severe they may be.

    Symptoms of animal bites and scratches can vary quite dramatically depending upon the severity of the incident. These may include the following:

    The first step in diagnosing an animal bite or scratch is for you and your treating provider to have a discussion about exactly how the injury happened. From there, an approach to treatment will be discussed. The wound will most commonly be cleaned and dressed to avoid any potential for infection (wounds missing skin or those that are particularly deep may require special dressings). Stitches may also be employed if necessary. Antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce the risk of infection.

    In the case that the affected person is not up to date on their tetanus shot, a vaccine may be administered as a prophylactic.

    Children who experience symptoms after suffering an animal bite or scratch should be seen by a treating provider as soon as possible after the injury. For children that have not been vaccinated, a tetanus shot may be provided.

    At ConvenientMD, we encounter animal bites and scratches numerous times each and every day. While many can be treated quickly and efficiently, complications do arise and can only be avoided when injuries are addressed as soon as possible. If you or a family member has been bitten or scratched, we’re here to help.

    Ready to get treated? Just stop into any of our convenient urgent care locations in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts—you’ll never need to make an appointment ahead of time.