What antibiotics are used to treat cat bites (animal bites)?

From the Guidelines

Cat bites typically require antibiotic treatment due to the high risk of infection, and the recommended first-line antibiotic is amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin), usually prescribed at 875/125 mg taken orally twice daily for 5-7 days 1.

Key Considerations

• The choice of antibiotic should be based on the type of bite and the suspected causative organisms, with amoxicillin-clavulanate being the preferred option for cat bites due to its broad-spectrum activity against Pasteurella multocida, streptococci, and anaerobes 1.
• For patients with penicillin allergies, alternatives include doxycycline 100 mg twice daily, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) DS twice daily, or clindamycin 300 mg four times daily, combined with either ciprofloxacin or a fluoroquinolone 1.
• Treatment should begin as soon as possible after the bite occurs, ideally within 8 hours, to reduce the risk of infection and promote healing 1.

Wound Management

• Cat bites are particularly concerning because their sharp, narrow teeth can create deep puncture wounds that introduce bacteria directly into tissues, joints, or tendons 1.
• These wounds often seal quickly at the surface, trapping bacteria inside, and may require medical evaluation for possible debridement, irrigation, or suturing 1.
• Patients should monitor for increasing pain, redness, swelling, or drainage, which may indicate worsening infection requiring immediate medical attention 1.

Additional Recommendations

• The wound should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection 1.
• Depending on the severity of the bite, patients may require follow-up care to monitor for signs of infection and to adjust antibiotic therapy as needed 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Cat Bite Antibiotics

• The likelihood of a cat bite becoming infected is double that of a dog bite, with 20-80% of cat bites becoming infected 2.
• Pasteurella multocida is the most commonly cultured bacterium from infected cat bite wounds, and prophylactic/empiric penicillin or a derivative is often given to prevent infection 2.
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics, covering both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, are often recommended as empiric treatment of animal bites, including cat bites 3.

Antibiotic Susceptibility

• High antibiotic susceptibility percentages were observed for benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefazolin, and azithromycin in P. multocida isolates 2.
• Amoxicillin/clavulanate has a well-known safety and tolerance profile and is included in guidelines and recommendations for the treatment of bacterial infections, including those caused by P. multocida 4.

Treatment Guidelines

• Early aggressive local wound cleansing is the most important therapy to prevent infection after animal bites, including cat bites 3.
• Prophylactic antibiotics should be given even in case of a minor infection following cat bites of the hand 5.
• Treatment with antibiotics, surgical drainage, debridement, and copious irrigation, and use of corticosteroids in some cases, proved to be effective in managing cat bites of the hand 5.