Are Tetanus/Rabies Shots Required After a Dog Bite?

Dog bites can cause serious, potentially life-threatening injuries. While deep wounds can cause severe bleeding, they also create a significant pathway for infection. Thus, medical professionals may recommend receiving a tetanus shot following a dog attack. They may also recommend vaccination for rabies as part of their post-attack treatment regimen. This often includes testing for other bacteria, including Streptococcus, Capnocytophaga, Pasteurella, and more.

What Are Tetanus Shots?

Tetanus Toxoid is the inactive form of tetanus. Receiving a tetanus vaccination prevents individuals from acquiring this infection. While rare, tetanus infections can occur if the dog’s mouth was contaminated with soil at the time of the bite.

While most people receive a tetanus vaccine as children, few people go for the necessary booster shots that should be administered every 10 years. Thus, if a child is bitten, it is unlikely they will need a tetanus shot. However, if a child has not received at least three of the required six doses, or an adult has not received the necessary booster, a tetanus shot may be recommended.

What About Rabies?

Rabies occurs throughout Colorado counties. It usually involves bats, skunks, and other wild animals, but it can affect domestic dogs and cats. In 2018, 52 cases occurred in Larimer County, 69 in El Paso County, and 76 in Denver County.

If an individual is bitten by a rabies infected dog or another animal, prompt treatment is imperative. This involves the administration of rabies immune globulin, which helps prevent the virus from spreading throughout the body. The treatment course involves four injections administered over two weeks.

Untreated, rabies infections are almost always fatal. Thus, individuals who are bitten by a dog or cat should immediately determine whether or not the animal was up-to-date on their rabies shots.

Recovering Cost of Medical Care

Medical treatment should not be delayed, nor should individuals delay receiving vaccinations and other therapies because of cost. As with other personal injury claims, medical expenses are recoverable in a dog bite lawsuit in Colorado.

We encourage you to contact Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. at (303) 447-1144 to speak with a dog bite attorney about dog bite injuries in Colorado. It is our pleasure to answer your questions and understand your rights to recover your injuries.

Nikki Nicholaou was incredibly helpful and responsive. I felt very comfortable with my case in her hands, which was a great decision because she won me a settlement before we had to go to court

Veronica Blake

2023-04-13

Highly recommended.

Andy B

2022-11-21

One day in June, 2019, our world was turned upside down. My husband was nearly killed by a motorist while riding his bicycle. He was lucky to come away from the accident with “only” a neck broken in 5 places, facing surgery and a long two-year recovery period. His extreme pain, our anger, and the total shock of the event overwhelmed us. We decided to focus all our energy on his healing. Dealing with the insurance company was more than we could handle. So, a little investigation brought us to Sloat & Nicholson. During the first phone conversation, Randy Nicholson explained that we could not only file a claim against the driver’s insurance, but also against our Underinsured Motorist insurance. Randy also explained that it was likely that he would have to fight Mike’s health insurance which would certainly ask to be totally reimbursed for their expenses. We’d learned that it was a bigger issue than we’d expected, but we knew we had found someone who could help us, and that has a great relief. After that first call, and in the subsequent months of meeting with Randy and his team, we knew we’d made the best possible decision. Randy got the full claim against the driver’s insurance. He convinced our health insurance that they had no standing in filing a claim against us. We didn’t have to pay them anything. And he negotiated with our Underinsured Motorist insurance and got the full claim against them as well. It was not easy, and Randy worked hard. He completely relieved us of a ton of stress. He kept us informed each step of the way. Every time we worked with him and his team, we became more and more convinced that we’d made the right decision. We were so glad we found Sloat and Nicholson. After the accident, we felt like the world was against us. The court system totally dropped the ball, and we constantly had to fight back our anger at the driver and the judge. But we had Randy Nicholson and his team on our side, and we are forever grateful to all of them.

midge castillo

2021-06-13

I was in a car accident and needed legal advice. Robert Hoover was both professional and informative! He was so helpful, and I would recommend him to anyone. I also appreciated his Christian perspective!

colleen G.

2021-03-29

I was a case form many years ago Gerald handled everything completely professionally there is not one thing I would do differently My case was complicated but the end result was everything that I was entitled to! If your case is in his practice area I highly recommend a phone call consultation or visit to his office. You won't be disappointed his years of experience knowledge and fair treatment of his clients would not be more apparent!

Adam Townson

2021-01-27

Jerry Sloat and his staff treated our family with great respect and helped us to receive compensation for the injuries, pain and suffering we incurred during a car accident. We owe him so much and are truly grateful that we stopped trying to deal with the insurance company and allowed Jerry and his wonderful team of professional to take care of everything for us.

Leonard Romano

2019-05-23

Gerry Sloat was amazing, after my car wreck I was at a loss on what was going on. I didn't know the process or what to even expect. I turned to him because he was the only one willing to take the time and speak with me to answer all my questions. My insurance company wouldn't even call me back to answer my question of what was happening. Gerry took quite a bit of time explaining the different aspects of the insurance and the other driver and the county issues that I didn't even know where separate, he really set my mind at ease with my mind running with all of the "what ifs" I now know where I stand and what to expect going further and can now make informed decisions on what I need to be prepared for what lies ahead! Thank you again Mr Sloat!

landa raddon

2016-12-03

Gerry Sloat was a very skilled and helpful attorney when I needed one to negotiate a settlement for many, many medical bills resulting from a head on collision. What impressed me most was his fair handedness in dealing with us, but also with dealing with the other parties involved. Further, since the accident a half dozen years ago, he has been more than helpful in answering questions about all matters of the law, and seems to genuinely enjoy hearing from me when I call. A stellar human and an outstandingly thorough attorney.

Bonnie Carol

2016-12-02

Ever since I started working with with Robert Hoover it's been more like working with family he's taking the time to get to know me and my family on a personal level the office staff know by name and they are the best

Jason Swartz

2016-04-21