Treatment of Animal Bites

Initial Wound Management

Immediate and thorough washing of all bite wounds and scratches with soap and water is crucial for preventing infection and reducing the risk of rabies transmission, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 2
For many bite wounds, gentle irrigation with water or a dilute povidone-iodine solution markedly decreases the risk of bacterial infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1
Thorough wound cleansing alone without other post-exposure prophylaxis has been shown to markedly reduce the likelihood of rabies in animal studies, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 3

The decision to suture large wounds should take into account cosmetic factors and the potential for bacterial infections, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4, 3
Primary wound closure should be individualized based on the size and location of the wound, time interval since the bite, and risk of infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 2

Tetanus prophylaxis should be administered as indicated based on the patient's immunization status, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4, 3

While rabbits are not common rabies vectors, the risk should be assessed based on whether the rabbit was wild or domestic, the circumstances of the bite, and the prevalence of rabies in the local area, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 5, 6
If rabies exposure is suspected, previously unvaccinated persons should receive both rabies immune globulin and vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3, 5
The recommended dose of human rabies immune globulin is 20 IU/kg body weight, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3, 6
A regimen of five 1-mL doses of rabies vaccine should be administered intramuscularly on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4, 3