The next step would be to contact local animal control authorities or public health department to report the bite and determine what actions to take. Even if the animal is not showing signs of rabies, it's important to monitor the animal for 10 days after the exposure to ensure that it does not develop any symptoms. If the animal does not develop any symptoms within 10 days, the risk of rabies transmission is considered to be low. However, if the animal does develop signs of rabies within 10 days of the exposure, the patient should be referred to a healthcare provider to consider starting rabies prophylaxis immediately.
