Guideline sources The following summarized guidelines for the management of dog and cat bites are prepared by our editorial team based on guidelines from the American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP 2014). 1 Guidelines 1. Medical management Antibiotic prophylaxis: Administer antibiotic prophylaxis for high-risk bite wounds. B Consider administering antibiotic prophylaxis for average-risk wounds. C Post-exposure rabies prophylaxis: provide post-exposure rabies prophylaxis to all patients who were bitten by an animal that was possibly exposed to rabies. B 2. Surgical interventions Wound care: consider closing bite wounds if cosmetically desirable. However, leave wounds open if they are at high risk of infection. C 3. Preventative measures Pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis: consider pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis for persons at higher risk of rabies exposure, and for international travelers to at-risk areas who are unlikely https://web.pathway.md/diseases/recKCbLJh9SfPqnXp 1/2 6/29/23, 10:20 PM Dog and cat bites Pathway to get post-exposure prophylaxis within 24 hours of a possible rabies exposure. C References 1. Robert Ellis, Carrie Ellis. Dog and Cat Bites. Am Fam Physician. 2014 Aug 15;90 4 239 43. Open https://web.pathway.md/diseases/recKCbLJh9SfPqnXp 2/2