From the Guidelines
For a dog bite, immediate cleaning of the wound with soap and water for at least 5 minutes is essential, followed by application of an antiseptic like povidone-iodine or hydrogen peroxide.
Key Considerations
- For minor bites, continue with antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) and cover with a clean bandage, changing it daily.
- Seek medical attention for deep wounds, facial bites, or if the bite is from an unfamiliar dog.
- A healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics like amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) 875/125 mg twice daily for 5-7 days to prevent infection, particularly from bacteria commonly found in dog mouths such as Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus, as recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1.
Additional Recommendations
- Tetanus vaccination may be needed if yours isn't current (within 5-10 years) 1.
- Report the bite to local health authorities and verify the dog's rabies vaccination status; rabies prophylaxis may be necessary if the dog's status is unknown or positive 1.
- Watch for signs of infection including increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or fever, which require prompt medical evaluation.
Evidence-Based Treatment
The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2014 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, recommends amoxicillin-clavulanate as the first-line treatment for dog bites 1. This guideline is based on the bacteriologic characteristics of dog bites, which often include aerobic bacteria such as Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus.
Wound Care and Closure
- Wounds should be cleansed with sterile normal saline and superficial debris removed 1.
- Infected wounds should not be closed, and primary closure of dog bite lacerations and perforations may be associated with a low infection rate if done properly 1.
From the Research
Treatment Overview
- The recommended treatment for a dog bite involves wound care, antibiotics, and monitoring for infection [(2,3,4,5)].
- Wounds may be sutured after debridement and thorough irrigation, unless they are located on the hand, where infection is common 3.
Antibiotic Use
- Prophylactic antibiotics reduce the incidence of infection in patients with dog bite wounds 2.
- A penicillinase-resistant penicillin or cephalexin monohydrate is the drug of choice for treating dog bite infections 3.
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate is recommended for the outpatient treatment of dog and cat bite wounds 5.
- However, prophylactic oral antibiotics may not be indicated for low-risk dog bite wounds 6.
Wound Management
- Dog bite wounds to the hand are more likely to become infected than bites to the arm, leg, or face 4.
- Cat bite wounds on the hand have the greatest risk of infection 5.
- Wounds should be irrigated with a 1% povidone-iodine solution and debrided and sutured if clinically indicated 6.