What should you know about dogs and rabies?

Rabies is an infection that affects the nervous system. Transmission requires infected saliva to reach broken skin or a mucous membrane such as the eye, mouth, or nose. Petting a dog or contact with intact skin is not the same exposure. A dog's vaccination status, current health, behaviour, and ability to be observed are relevant to assessment.

A healthy-looking animal cannot be used by itself to rule out risk. Do not handle, chase, or try to catch an unfamiliar dog. Keep children away and report the animal through local channels when appropriate.

Wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water. If saliva reached the eyes or mouth, rinse with clean water. Note the time, location, animal description, owner details, and whether the skin was broken. Do not delay care while trying to confirm the dog's vaccination.

Contact urgent medical care for advice about Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. A clinician can also check for wound damage, tetanus needs, and infection. Routine prevention is covered in Rabies Vaccination.

Get urgent assessment after a bite that breaks skin, a scratch possibly contaminated with saliva, or saliva in the eyes, mouth, or an existing wound. Go to emergency care for uncontrolled bleeding, deep tissue injury, loss of movement, severe swelling, faintness, or breathing difficulty.

Ask whether the contact counts as an exposure, whether preventive treatment is needed, how to monitor the wound, and how the dog's vaccination or observation status changes the plan.