‘Do not wait for symptoms’: Noida doctor shares what to do immediately after a dog bite

With dog bite cases on the rise across cities, health experts are warning people not to take even minor bites lightly due to the risk of rabies — a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

A Noida-based doctor Dr Shraddhey Katiyar has shared crucial steps people must follow immediately after a dog bite, stressing that every case should be treated as a potential rabies exposure if the animal’s vaccination status is unknown.

“Do not wait for symptoms. Act immediately,” the doctor said in a social media post.


First step: Clean the wound immediately
The Dr Katiyar emphasised that wound care is the most critical first response. The affected area should be washed under running water with soap for at least 15 minutes. Vigorous washing helps remove the virus and can significantly reduce infection risk. After cleaning, antiseptics like povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine should be applied. Tight stitching of the wound should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Assess the severity of exposure
Dog bites are classified into categories that determine urgency of treatment.

Category II: Minor scratches or bites without bleeding
Category III: Bites that break the skin, cause bleeding, or involve saliva contact with mucous membranes

In cases where the dog’s status is unknown, doctors advise treating it as Category III to avoid risks.

Start rabies vaccination without delay
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) must begin immediately. The standard vaccination schedule typically includes doses on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 (and sometimes day 28 depending on protocol).

For severe cases (Category III), rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is also required. It is administered directly into and around the wound to provide immediate protection while the vaccine builds immunity.

Don’t ignore tetanus and infection risk
Tetanus protection is also essential. A tetanus shot should be given if the person is not up to date, and immunoglobulin may be required for high-risk wounds.

Since dog bites are prone to infection, doctors often prescribe antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate to cover common bacteria.

Observe the dog, if possible
If the dog can be monitored and remains healthy for 10 days after the bite, the risk of rabies is considered low. However, if the animal falls ill or dies, treatment should be continued without hesitation.

What you should never do
According to the doctor

• Do not ignore small bites or scratches
• Do not rely on home remedies
• Do not delay vaccination while waiting for lab confirmation

Bottom line
Dr Shraddhey Katiyar said in suspected rabies exposure, every minute counts. Immediate wound cleaning, timely vaccination, and proper medical care can be life-saving.