What should be done for a dog bite?

Evaluation: See an emergency room physician or your family physician immediately to be evaluated for any underlying injury to the area and most important to prevent infection. Dog bites can cause serious skin infections known as cellulitis which can be easily prevented with oral antibiotics.

Seek help: If in doubt see a doctor. Superficial wounds from a vaccinated animal may be washed and observed. Your tetanus shot needs to be within the last 5 years. If not, get an update. If the vaccination status of the animal is not known it should be reported to animal control and they animal quarantined or euthanized. While most cases of rabies don't involve domestic pets why take the chance?

If bitten by a dog ;: Wound is minor - wash w soap ; water, apply antibiotic ointment ; cover w bandaid /bandage. Get tetanus shot if you haven’t had one in last 10 years or your don’t know. For more serious wound or possible infection, apply pressure ; obtain urgent care. Per mayo clinic, if last tetanus shot was > 5 years ago ; wound is “deep or dirty”, a booster shot may be recommended. If you are bitten by wild >.