Do I Really Need a Tetanus Shot After a Dog Bite in Michigan?

Tetanus is a real and serious risk after any dog bite that breaks the skin in Michigan. Here’s when you need a tetanus shot, what type, and how it affects your dog bite case.

The Short Answer

Yes, you likely need a tetanus shot if it has been more than 5 years since your last one — and you should get it within 48 hours of the bite. The CDC recommends a tetanus booster (Tdap or Td) for any wound that breaks the skin if your most recent shot was more than 5 years ago. Your tetanus shot is a recoverable medical expense in your Michigan dog bite case.

Video coming soon — Solomon Radner answers this question

The Detailed Answer

Tetanus is caused by bacteria (Clostridium tetani) that live in soil, dust, and animal saliva. Dog bite wounds — especially deep puncture wounds — are exactly the kind of injury where tetanus can take hold. Untreated tetanus can cause severe muscle spasms, breathing difficulty, and death. It’s rare in the U.S. precisely because of widespread vaccination — but the protection wears off, and most adults don’t realize they’re overdue.

When you need a tetanus shot after a dog bite

More than 5 years since your last shot: You need a booster — and quickly. The CDC recommends within 48 hours of any wound that breaks the skin.
Unsure when you last got one: Get a booster. There is no harm in getting one when not strictly needed — but there is real harm in not getting one when you needed it.
Less than 5 years since your last shot AND wound is clean: You generally don’t need a booster.
Deep puncture or contaminated wound: Some doctors recommend boosters even within the 5-year window if the wound is deep or dirty.

Tdap vs. Td — what your doctor will give you

Most adults receive Tdap (which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) for their first booster after age 19, then Td (tetanus and diphtheria only) for subsequent boosters every 10 years. After a dog bite, your provider will choose based on your immunization history.

Tetanus Immune Globulin (TIG)

If you have never been vaccinated against tetanus — or your vaccination history is unknown — providers may give you Tetanus Immune Globulin (TIG) in addition to a Tdap shot. TIG provides immediate, temporary protection while the vaccine kicks in. It’s expensive and not commonly needed for U.S. adults, but it can be a real cost on your dog bite case if your provider determines it’s needed.

What This Means for Your Case

The cost of your tetanus shot, any TIG injection, the office visit to get them, and any follow-up care is fully recoverable in your Michigan dog bite case under MCL 287.351. The dog owner’s insurance is responsible for these expenses because the bite caused the need for the shot.

Beyond the direct cost, there’s a documentation reason to get the shot promptly: emergency room and urgent care providers note in the medical record that a tetanus booster was given specifically because of the dog bite. That record links the medical care to the bite — strengthening your damages claim.

What If I Already Got the Shot — Can I Still Sue?

Yes. Getting timely medical care does not hurt your case — it helps it. The medical record establishes that the bite required treatment, that you took appropriate steps, and that you incurred costs. All of that supports your claim under Michigan’s strict liability statute.

Rabies vs. Tetanus — Two Different Concerns

Tetanus and rabies are different infections requiring different responses. Tetanus is from bacteria in dirt and animal saliva. Rabies is a virus carried only by infected mammals. For rabies, the critical question is whether the dog has current rabies vaccinations — and your ER will typically ask whether you can confirm this. If you can’t, you may need to begin post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which is a series of injections over 14 days and is significantly more expensive than a simple tetanus shot. PEP is also fully recoverable as a medical expense in your case.

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