Surgical cleaning is usually not necessary for most animal bites unless the wound is deep, severely contaminated, or involves crushed tissue. The most effective first aid is immediate and thorough washing of the wound with plenty of soap and running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by application of an antiseptic such as povidone-iodine or alcohol. This simple step can remove a large amount of the virus and greatly reduce infection risk. After cleaning, you should avoid stitching the wound tightly and seek medical care right away for rabies vaccination and further assessment.