Signs of an infection from a scratch wound
While your dog scratch wound heals, look for the following possible signs of an infection:
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:
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.
Rabies annually causes 20,000 deaths in India and this figure has not changed for the last decade. This review was done retrospectively to analyze the reasons for deaths due to rabies, registered at Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla since 2009. We investigated 19 deaths due to rabies in the past 7-year period. Of these, five were caused by “scratches/abrasions without any bleeding” and no postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) was sought. All injuries were caused either by unvaccinated pups below 3 months of age or by stray unvaccinated dogs. Four deaths were of patients who received proper wound care along with minimum 3 doses of intramuscular rabies vaccination, but rabies immunoglobulins (RIG) were not given or were not available. In eight cases, no PEP was sought as the patients were either not aware of its need or the PEP facility was far away or the PEP cost was not affordable or deceased believed that pups below 3 months of age do not carry a risk of rabies. In one case, the patient was bitten by a cat 2 years back. Majority patients belonged to rural and remote areas. Five of the deaths in our study were because of not seeking prophylaxis as abrasions/scratches without bleeding were not thought to carry a risk of rabies. In the Philippines, a rabies death review of 1839 patients demonstrates that all deaths were due to dog related injuries including bites and scratches.[1] In Iran[2] four people having scratches on their hands were infected with the saliva of rabid animals and died due to rabies, there was no history of bites. In our death review also, deaths caused by “scratches/abrasions without blood” amply demonstrate the ability of the rabies virus to enter nerves through dermis due to broken skin and its capacity to cause rabies. In our settings, the minimum incubation period was 22 days due to scratches on the face in front of Lt Tragus and maximum incubation period was 102 days due to a trivial scratch on right Forearm by a furious rabid dog. Rabies due to bat scratches[3] is known and hence can happen due to rabid dog/animal scratches as well. Pathogenesis studies by Kuzmin et al.[4] state that after delivery into a wound, rabies virus can infect several types of cells and replicate at inoculation site, as has been shown for skeletal muscle cells and fibroblasts. Human skin dermal layer is populated with fibroblasts that may allow the entry of the rabies virus and subsequent infection if left unattended[5] and needs further evaluation. Latest guidelines of the WHO (2014) prescribe that the type II wounds, that include minor scratches or abrasions without bleeding, need to be given only rabies vaccine whereas additional local RIG infiltration may be required.[6] The confusion of scratches with blood or without blood need to be rectified in the type II classification of the WHO bite wounds and need to be replaced by “Bruises that dont involve breach of the skin surface.” Breach of skin surface can easily be identified with spirit test, if there is burning sensation, breach of skin is likely. Many national guidelines, for example, USA,[7] Canada, and Switzerland do not make a difference between category II and III wounds and recommend rabies vaccination alongwith RIG administration on potential exposure to rabid animals irrespective of the type of wounds. More such rabies death reviews may throw light on this unusual phenomenon of deaths due to scratches/abrasions by rabid animals, especially on the head, neck, shoulder region, hands and arms, in rabies endemic countries like India.Financial support and sponsorship
3State Correspondent, The Statesman and Alumni of HP Agriculture University, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, IndiaFind articles by
2Department of Veterinary, Dog Sterilization Centre, Animal Birth Control Programme, Municipal Corporation, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, IndiaFind articles by
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. Dogs also lick their paws, transferring bacteria from the mouth onto the nails. This can, in rare cases, infect humans with MRSA or bacteria called Capnocytophaga if the scratch breaks the skin.
“Can I get rabies from a dog scratch?” is a popular online search. Even though it is highly unlikely that a human will contract rabies from an animal scratch, it can still happen. The virus that causes rabies is spread through contact with saliva or brain tissue from an animal infected with rabies, but it cannot penetrate unbroken skin. If a rabid dog with saliva-covered nails scratches a human, theoretically infection can occur; however, most dogs are vaccinated against rabies and are not at risk for infection. If your dog has had contact with a rabid animal, take additional precautions and seek veterinary care immediately.
Can I Get Rabies if My Dog Bites Me? How to Treat Dog Bite Wound at Home? (WHO’s Information)
I am a 35 year old male. While I was walking in road in possession, two dogs were behind me. When one dog tried to cross me and its front left leg touched my right foot toe. I saw nothing in my foot initially and it happened around 9 AM.
At 10 AM, I washed it with soap and I saw a line of 3 cm thick. It resembled the line when we rubber our dry skin. This line disappeared after a wash with soap. Then I saw a skin tag on that line. After that at 11 AM, I rubbed alum on that place but no sensation of burning felt by me. I have a doubt whether the microscopic scratch is covered by alum.
Then at noon I used after shave lotion on my foot to check scratches but do not feel any burning sensation.
From what you have written, I feel that you have a grade one scratch. Since no bleeding was there, you need not worry.
Usually claws do not contain any virus, but cannot always be sure. I suggest you to get a prophylactic vaccination done for rabies. Usually, dose of three.
I am still not confident about the scratch. I have attached the photos. Please explain to me in detail. Answered by
The after shave lotion is an alcohol based solution which will clean the skin area. Only when it contacts with sensitive areas, especially with the deeper layers of skin and muscle or blood you will have the burning sensation.
There is no bleeding means the scratch is superficial and no blood capillaries are damaged. So, there was no burning sensation after you washed and added after shave lotion.
Regarding lemon juice too the same reason. Lemon juice is having citric acid which burns only on contact with sensitive areas of the body. The outermost layer of skin has only dead skin and keratin and especially in the foot, the skin is thicker that is the keratin part which has no sensation.
I am not able to see any break in the skin. The potash alum used to cool the skin and so there is some degree of dryness.
There is nothing called microscopic scratch. So, no difference as far as I know. Any scratch which leads to destruction of the sensitive area of the skin can be felt.
If dog has scratched itself, and has touched its saliva or blood then can have some virus particles in its claw.
Going by the history you have provided and the photos (attachment removed to protect patient identity), yours is grade one scratch and it do not lead to rabies. But, as I have already told getting a prophylaxis of three injections will help.
Washing as early as possible is recommended. Please wash only with running tap water and soap. Others are not recommended.
I suggest you to take the prophylaxis and forget about the incident as from what you have given the history, it is unlikely that scratch can lead to rabies.
1. Injection Rabipur prophylactic dose. 2. Injection Tetanus toxoid IM stat if not taken in last six months to one year.
Revert back if there is any pain or swelling on the foot to a general practitioner online.—> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/general-practitioner
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