From the Guidelines
Cat bites require immediate medical attention and treatment with antibiotics, typically amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) 875/125 mg twice daily for 5-7 days, due to their high risk of infection. The treatment of cat bites is crucial to prevent infection, as they can introduce bacteria deep into tissues, creating puncture wounds that seal quickly and trap bacteria inside 1.
Key Considerations
- Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 5 minutes, then apply an antiseptic like povidone-iodine or hydrogen peroxide.
- Cover the wound with a sterile bandage.
- Seek medical care promptly, especially if the bite is on the hand, wrist, face, or near a joint, or if you have a weakened immune system.
- Ensure your tetanus vaccination is current, and ask your doctor about rabies risk assessment if the cat was unknown or wild.
Antibiotic Treatment
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate is the recommended antibiotic for cat bites, as it has excellent activity against Pasteurella multocida, a common bacteria found in cat bites 1.
- For those with penicillin allergies, alternatives include doxycycline 100 mg twice daily or clindamycin 300 mg four times daily, although clindamycin may not be effective against P. multocida 1.
- Other options, such as fluoroquinolones, may require an additional agent active against anaerobes, such as metronidazole or clindamycin 1.
Monitoring for Infection
- Watch for signs of infection, including increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pain, or pus.
- If symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, seek medical attention promptly.
From the Research
Treatment for Felis Catus (Cat) Bites
The treatment for cat bites typically involves the use of antibiotics to prevent infection.
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate is recommended for the outpatient treatment of cat bite wounds 2.
- Phenoxymethyl penicillin should be the drug of choice in treatment of infections associated with cat bites 3.
- Prophylactic antibiotics should be used early in the treatment of cat bites, even if the external wound is small 4.
- In cases where there is no improvement or slow recovery, other antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin may be recommended 3.
Antibiotic Susceptibility
Studies have shown that Pasteurella multocida, a common bacterium found in cat bite wounds, is highly susceptible to certain antibiotics, including:
- Benzylpenicillin
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate
- Cefazolin
- Azithromycin 5
Prevention of Infection
Preemptive antibiotic therapy is warranted for cat bite injuries that pose a high risk for infection, particularly for patients who are at risk of developing severe infection 6.