Dog or Animal Bite? Start Rabies Prevention Today
Rabies can be prevented with prompt wound care and a full course of vaccine, plus immunoglobulin when needed. Doctor-led dog bite and animal bite care in Greater Noida, opposite Delta 1 Metro.
What to do right now
⚠️ Bite broke the skin, several bites, or a bite on the face, head, neck or hands?
Deep or bleeding bites and scratches, licks on a wound, saliva in the eyes or mouth, and any bat exposure usually need rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) as well as the vaccine — as early as possible. Bites on the head, neck and hands are the most urgent. During clinic hours, come straight in: we start your vaccine and refer you straight away to a trusted nearby centre for RIG.
🌙 Bitten at night, or the clinic is closed?
Wash the wound for 15 minutes now. Then send us a WhatsApp message — it is seen first thing in the morning — and come in when the clinic opens to start your vaccine the same day.
Do not wait for morning — go to the nearest hospital emergency department tonight if:
- the bite is deep, bleeding heavily or there are several bites
- the bite is on the face, head, neck or hands
- a bat was involved, or saliva got into the eyes or mouth
- the animal was behaving strangely or was a wild animal
Any hospital emergency department can clean the wound and start rabies prevention tonight. Starting sooner is always better.
Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is the care you need after an animal bite, scratch or lick on broken skin: thorough wound washing, a course of rabies vaccine and, for more serious exposures, rabies immunoglobulin. Rabies is spread through the saliva of infected animals — in India, mostly dogs. It can be prevented when care is started promptly and the full course is completed.
Which bites need the rabies vaccine?
Doctors grade every exposure into one of three categories. The category decides the treatment.
| Category | What happened | What is usually needed |
|---|---|---|
| Category I | Touching or feeding an animal, or a lick on unbroken skin | No vaccine. Wash the area. |
| Category II | Nibbling on uncovered skin, or small scratches or grazes without bleeding | Wound washing and a full rabies vaccine course |
| Category III | Bites or scratches that break the skin, a lick on broken skin, saliva in the eyes or mouth, or any bat exposure | Wound washing, rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) and a full rabies vaccine course |
Which animals can spread rabies?
Dogs and cats
Dogs cause most human rabies in India. Pet dogs and cats can carry rabies too if they are unvaccinated or their vaccination is not up to date.
Monkeys and wild animals
Monkeys, jackals, foxes, mongooses and bats can all transmit rabies. Any bat contact needs a doctor's review.
Farm animals
Cows, buffaloes, goats and horses can occasionally be infected. A bite, or saliva on a wound, should be assessed.
Rats, mice and squirrels
These rarely need rabies vaccine, but show the bite to a doctor for wound care and a tetanus check.
How rabies prevention works here
Wound check and category
The doctor examines the wound, cleans it properly, decides the category, and checks whether you need a tetanus booster.
First vaccine dose the same day
Nirvana Clinic keeps anti-rabies vaccine in stock, so your first dose can be given at the same visit.
Rabies immunoglobulin, when needed
For Category III exposures, RIG is given in and around the wound. We do not stock RIG, so we refer you straight away to a trusted nearby centre for it. Your vaccine course continues with us.
Complete the full course
You get a written schedule for the remaining doses, which follow India's national guidelines. Protection depends on finishing the course.
Common myths about dog bites
| What people often believe | What is true |
|---|---|
| “You need 14 injections in the stomach.” | Modern vaccines are given in the arm, over a short course. |
| “Chilli, turmeric or oil on the wound helps.” | Home remedies can irritate the wound and delay proper care. Soap, running water and an antiseptic are what help. |
| “It was only a small scratch.” | A scratch that breaks the skin can still transmit rabies. Get it checked. |
| “Only stray dogs carry rabies.” | Unvaccinated pets can carry it too. |
| “The vaccine isn't safe in pregnancy or for babies.” | Pregnancy and young age are not reasons to avoid rabies treatment after an exposure. |
Pre-exposure rabies vaccination
Some people are advised to get rabies vaccine before any bite, because their work or daily life brings regular contact with animals. This includes veterinarians and their staff, animal feeders and rescuers, and dog handlers. If you are vaccinated in advance, a later bite needs a shorter booster course and usually no immunoglobulin.
Pre-exposure vaccination is part of our adult vaccination service. Ask us on WhatsApp whether it is right for you.
Dog bite care near you in Greater Noida
Nirvana Clinic is at Shop GF-93, Sun Twilight Mall, opposite Delta 1 Metro Station. It is easy to reach from the Delta, Alpha, Beta and Gamma sectors, Pari Chowk, Knowledge Park, Jaypee Greens, Gaur City and Greater Noida West. If you are bitten nearby during clinic hours, call or WhatsApp on your way so we are ready for you.
Common questions about dog bites and rabies
How soon after a dog bite should I get the rabies vaccine?
Do I need the vaccine if the dog is a vaccinated pet?
Is the rabies injection given in the stomach?
How many rabies vaccine doses are needed?
What is rabies immunoglobulin, and do I need it?
Can pregnant women and young children take the rabies vaccine?
Do I also need a tetanus injection?
What should I avoid after a dog bite?
What if I miss a rabies vaccine dose?
Dr. Manuj Sondhi
Dr. Manuj Sondhi is a consultant physician at Nirvana Clinic, Greater Noida, with a 2-year fellowship in infectious diseases and HIV from Tata Memorial Hospital. He sees patients after animal bites, gives rabies post-exposure vaccination at the clinic, and refers patients to a trusted nearby centre for immunoglobulin when it is needed.
Bitten or scratched today?
Wash the wound for 15 minutes, then call or WhatsApp us and come in. At night, go to a hospital emergency department for deep, multiple or head-and-hand bites; otherwise WhatsApp us and come in first thing in the morning.
Nirvana Clinic · Shop GF-93, Sun Twilight Mall, Opp. Delta 1 Metro Station, Greater Noida 201308
Medical disclaimer: This page is general health information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an in-person assessment. An animal bite is a medical emergency: the need for vaccine, immunoglobulin and tetanus protection is decided by a doctor after examining the wound. Nirvana Clinic keeps anti-rabies vaccine but does not stock rabies immunoglobulin; when it is needed we refer you to a nearby centre. If you cannot reach us, go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 112.