From the Guidelines
For cat bite prophylaxis, the recommended dose of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) is 875 mg amoxicillin/125 mg clavulanate taken orally twice daily. This recommendation is based on the guidelines provided by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, as outlined in the 2014 update 1. The choice of amoxicillin-clavulanate is due to its broad-spectrum activity against the common bacteria found in cat mouths, including Pasteurella multocida, streptococci, staphylococci, and anaerobes.
Some key points to consider in the management of cat bites include:
- Starting treatment as soon as possible after the bite occurs, ideally within 8 hours, to prevent infection.
- Ensuring proper wound cleaning with soap and water.
- Considering tetanus prophylaxis if the patient's immunization status is not up to date.
- For patients with penicillin allergies, alternative treatments such as doxycycline 100 mg twice daily, or a combination of clindamycin plus either a fluoroquinolone or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole may be considered.
It's worth noting that while other studies and guidelines may provide similar recommendations 1, the most recent and highest quality evidence should be prioritized in clinical decision-making. In this case, the 2014 guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America provide a comprehensive overview of the management of skin and soft tissue infections, including those resulting from animal bites.
From the FDA Drug Label
2.1 Adults The usual adult dose is one 500 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 12 hours or one 250 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 8 hours For more severe infections and infections of the respiratory tract, the dose should be one 875 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 12 hours or one 500 mg/125 mg amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet every 8 hours.
The recommended dose of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for cat bite prophylaxis is not explicitly stated in the provided drug labels. However, based on the dosing regimens for adults with more severe infections, a possible dose could be:
- One 500 mg/125 mg tablet every 12 hours
- One 250 mg/125 mg tablet every 8 hours
- One 875 mg/125 mg tablet every 12 hours for more severe infections 2 2 It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for the appropriate dose and treatment duration, as the severity of the infection and individual patient factors need to be considered.
From the Research
Augmentin Dose for Cat Bite Prophylaxis
- The recommended dose of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for cat bite prophylaxis is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
- However, according to the study 3, the treatment of choice for patients who have an infected cat or dog bite with no known bacterial cause is amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium (500 mg 3 times daily).
- The study 4 recommends amoxicillin-clavulanate for the outpatient treatment of dog and cat bite wounds, but does not specify the dose.
- The study 5 found that amoxicillin-clavulanate has a high antibiotic susceptibility percentage (100%) against Pasteurella multocida, which is a common bacterium found in cat bite wounds.
- The study 6 suggests that antibiotic treatment should cover P. multocida, and the majority of patients received penicillin or amoxicillin as antibiotic treatment, but does not specify the dose of Augmentin.
Antibiotic Susceptibility
- The study 5 found that P. multocida isolates have high antibiotic susceptibility percentages for:
- Benzylpenicillin (100%)
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate (100%)
- Cefazolin (98.37%)
- Azithromycin (94.02%)
- The study 6 found that P. multocida was the dominating pathogen among patients with infected cat bites, and antibiotic treatment should cover P. multocida.
Clinical Considerations
- The study 3 highlights the importance of a thorough patient history to promptly arrive at a proper diagnosis for an atypical presentation of a common disease.
- The study 6 found that complications such as tendosynovitis, arthritis, abscesses, and septicaemia occurred in 18% of patients with infected cat bites, and no patient died due to the infection.