What should you know about canine rabies?

Rabies can enter through a bite, scratch or saliva contacting broken skin or the eyes, mouth or nose. A wound may look small, and the animal’s appearance cannot reliably rule out risk. Do not wait for symptoms: once illness develops, rabies is extremely dangerous. The exposure details, animal species, location and local public-health advice guide treatment.

A clinician may recommend wound care, vaccination and, for some exposures, rabies immunoglobulin. These measures work before illness develops and are arranged according to the exposure. A [Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/rabies-post-exposure-prophylaxis/) service can explain the urgent pathway.

Wash a bite or scratch immediately with plenty of running water and soap, without scrubbing deeply or sealing the wound. If available, note the animal’s description, location and time of contact, but do not catch or handle it. Seek urgent medical care even if the wound is painless or the animal seemed healthy. Tell the clinician about previous rabies vaccination and any immune condition or pregnancy.

A clinician may also assess tetanus protection, wound infection and damage to nerves or tendons. Do not apply irritants or delay care while trying to observe the animal yourself.

Seek urgent care immediately after any possible bite, scratch or saliva exposure from a mammal that could carry rabies. Emergency help is needed for heavy bleeding, injury to the face or neck, breathing difficulty, confusion, weakness or difficulty swallowing. Symptoms such as fever, unusual sensations near a wound, agitation or trouble drinking are especially urgent, but waiting for them is unsafe.

Ask: Does this contact count as a rabies exposure? Which wound care and vaccines are needed? Is rabies immunoglobulin indicated? Do I need tetanus or antibiotics? When is the next dose or review, and whom should I contact if the animal is found?