Dog scratch and rabies: what to know

Rabies spreads through saliva from an infected mammal. A scratch becomes a possible route when saliva contaminates damaged skin, even without a bite. A superficial mark on intact skin is assessed differently from a scratch that bleeds or exposes tissue.

The dog’s vaccination history, behaviour, availability for observation, and the place where the exposure occurred all help determine next steps. Never use the absence of early symptoms as reassurance; urgent advice is needed before symptoms appear.

Rinse and wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water, then cover it loosely with a clean dressing if needed. Avoid sealing the wound tightly or applying harsh chemicals. Contact a healthcare service promptly with the time of exposure, wound location, skin damage, and details about the dog.

If the dog is known, ask its owner for vaccination information without putting yourself at risk. Leave an unfamiliar or aggressive animal alone and report it through local channels.

Get urgent medical care for a scratch that breaks skin, any exposure involving the face, hand, or eye, or any dog that is stray, missing, sick, unusually aggressive, or unavailable for observation. A clinician can also check tetanus protection and signs of wound infection.

Ask whether rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is advised, whether tetanus protection is current, how to care for the wound, and whether follow-up is required. Ask which changes in redness, swelling, pain, or discharge should be reported.