Bit by a dog, should I get a tetanus jab?

[WhosTheBeerThief]

The bite itself is NOT bad, absolutely doesn't need stitches or anything. Just a single puncture wound that did pierce skin/bleed.

I rang the GP who said thwy can't advise and I need to go A&E if I am concerned. I'm not really, not about the bite itself. I cleaned it throughly with hot soapy water repeatedly and applied antiseptic.

Should I book a private tetanus shot though? I think the last time I had it was around 20 years ago!

My puppy caught my arm years ago and my GP had me go in for a tetanus. I'm not sure why your GP can't advise you, that's exactly what they should do as it is most certainly not an A & E job.

Thats exactly what I think. If I need antibiotics or a jab can't the GP sort that.

Seems absolutely overkill to go to A&E

Call 111 and get their advice. I'd say that you probably should get a tetanus shot, but 111 will be able to confirm if you do, and tell you the best place to go to get this. Do you have a local Minor Injuries? This might be the best place.

My DS recently got licked on the leg on the site of a scratch while on holiday in Morocco, and had to go for rabies jabs. They decided to give him a tetanus shot as well, even though he hadn't been bitten by the dog.

Only created an account to answer the OP. You absolutely MUST get a tetanus shot but you also must present to a walk in centre or A&E and get antibiotics. All dog bites that puncture the skin should be treated seriously and quickly with antibiotics the same day.

Urgh

I actually have an untouched course of antibiotics upstairs.

Could i start those and book a private jab??

No you might need a different type of antibiotics

Just call 111

Get on the phone to 111 and follow their advice.

Definitely tetanus shot if you haven’t had one in the last 5 yrs and you need antibiotics. Really surprised at how useless your Gp has been. I had a dog bite last year so unfortunately know from experience!

I got bite by a dog and went to a&e and they cleaned my wounds and then I had a tetanus done i would get one I also had a course of antibiotics

111 booked me an appointment at urgent care this evening.

Fingers crossed theres no too much of a wait

Good, honestly you can’t take any risks - they’ll sort you out.

My mum had this and the GP said tetanus and antibiotics. The antibiotics made her really, really ill though so she didn't/couldn't take them all.

DS was bitten by a dog in the spring and got a course of antibiotics and his tetanus was up to date after a quick check. He was seen by the Minor Injuries Unit.

A word of caution: 111 booked me an appointment with UTC for a tetanus booster and prophylactic ABX when I was absolutely savaged whilst rescuing my cat from the beating he was taking from the neighbour’s cat.

I got there, waited my turn and was told they didn’t do tetanus boosters or ABX! I had to wait until the next morning when the more helpful UTC was open, but the damage was already done and I developed quite a nasty infection.

Also, what were the circumstances of the bite? Is the dog known to you?

You should have it cleaned and tetanus if you haven’t had one for 10+ years

The tetanus vaccine will not protect you, if you have already been exposed, as the antibodies take time to be created - up to 15 days - whereas the bacteria can develop into an infection in an average of 8 days . The vaccine, if given now, will only protect you from future exposures. If you believe you have been exposed to Tetanus and start to show symptoms, the correct procedure is to administer Tetanus immunoglobulin.

Tetanus can not reproduce in the presence of oxygen - it is an anerobic bacteria - so if the wound bled, the oxygenated blood will prevent the reproduction of the bacteria. Tetanus is also very unlikely to be carried in the mouth of a dog (presence of oxygen). Tetanus is found in the ground. If the puncture wound is also contaminated with tetanus containing soil, then there could be an outside chance of a tetanus infection.

Yes.. it is often given after a bite.. but a dog bite is not likely to result in tetanus and the vaccine will not help you if it did.

Was in and out. Only 30 mins.

Tetanus and 3 day course of antibiotics.

Was absolutely packed too so lord knows how.