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Is rabies a concern if my vaccinated dog bites me during a fight?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | unneutered

Hi! I have a 2-year old dog who got his first rabies shots 2 days ago, and just this morning he got into a fight with one of my dogs who’s also been vaccinated with rabies shots, while trying my best to separate the two, he bit my hand and my hand started bleeding. My DOGS WERE BORN AND RAISED in my house and has never been with any other unvaccinated dogs or cats. Should I worry that they could have transmitted the rabies virus to me? Sorry, I’m an extremely worried person.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Strydom, DVM

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 2nd, 2017

No. I would not be worried about this unless you know the dogs have been in contact with a rabid animal (domestic or wildlife). If they have not, then there is no chance of you getting rabies. Also, the vaccine is a killed virus so there is no chance of you getting rabies from a vaccine or a recently vaccinated animal.

Hope this helps. Best wishes!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Oneal Bogan, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 4th, 2017

    Hello!

    If the dog was vaccinated for rabies then you have nothing to worry about. To get rabies the dog would have to be infected which would be evident, so as long as the dog was vaccinated and acting normally then you are not infected.

    Best wishes to you!

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 6th, 2019

    Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

    We cannot comment on any human medical questions. Please ask your human health provider about this.

    If you have ANY concerns I recommend you go to the doctor.

    Best of luck!

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 7th, 2020

    I'm very sorry but I cannot read those vaccination labels. We can only enlarge the photo so much. From what I think I can see, it doesn't look like a rabies vaccination has been done. Whether or not you need a rabies vaccine for yourself, I don't know, I am not allowed to comment on human medical issues. If you are worried you need to see your human doctor for advice.

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
My vaccinated dog bit me. Do I need a rabies shot or wound care?
Since he has had his rabies vaccination, you do not need to be worried. You do not need ARV. You do, however, need to be worried that you could get a skin infection. Just keep the wounds clean as it looks like you have done. If you notice any major redness, pain or swelling around the bite areas you need to see your human doctor.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My vaccinated dog's teeth touched my skin. Am I at risk for rabies?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You only need to worry about rabies if you are bitten by an animal whose rabies or vaccine status you don’t know. Since Romeo didn’t bite you, I wouldn’t be concerned. Kisses to Romeo!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
If a vaccinated dog bit me, what's my rabies risk of contracting it?
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccinations, the chance of you contracting rabies is incredibly low. What we recommend is to quarantine the dog who bit you (or have the owner of the dog quarantine it) for 10 days and monitor the dog for the development of any abnormal neurologic signs. If the dog is completely normal after 10 days from the time you were bit, you are in the clear. If the dog becomes sick at all in that time frame, or if you become sick at all, I recommend contacting your doctor. I hope this is helpful - best of luck!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My vaccinated dog bit someone. Could they get rabies from the bite?
If Cooper has been vaccinated for rabies this year, then no there is no chance of him having rabies. The rabies vaccine lasts either a year or three years depending on the brand given. You have no need to worry.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My dog bit me. Is rabies a concern if he was vaccinated last year?
This bite wound should be considered infected and ideally seen by your human doctor as antibiotics may be needed. If your dog was vaccinated against rabies and vaccination was still active, then there no risk of this specific infection.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My unvaccinated dog licked a wound. Is rabies a concern for the person?
There is no chance this person will get rabies from being licked. Rabies is only passed via a bite from an infected animal, and if your dog did have rabies, you would see signs such as foaming at the mouth, loss of appetite, weakness, seizures, sudden change in personality, and disorientation among others. There is no need to worry. There has been no cases of human rabies acquired in the UK since 1902. The last recorded case of human rabies was in 2012, but the patient acquired rabies in India after being bit by a dog. I would recommend having your dog vaccinated for rabies, distemper, parvo, canine hepatitis, and parainfluenza for her health.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My vaccinated dog nipped me. Is he at risk for rabies from this?
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Rabies is contracted through a bite or scratch from something infected with rabies. Unless you bit him and have rabies, he can’t get it from biting you. Keep up on his vaccinations and he should be good. Also, if he bites you make sure you wash the area with soap and water so it doesn’t get infected. Kisses to Odin!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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