From the Guidelines
For cat bite-induced tenosynovitis, oral antibiotics should be prescribed for 14 days, though treatment may extend to 21 days in more severe cases, prioritizing morbidity, mortality, and quality of life as the primary outcomes. The standard regimen often includes amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) 875/125 mg twice daily, which provides coverage against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria commonly found in cat bites, including Pasteurella multocida, as recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1.
Key Considerations
- Alternative options for penicillin-allergic patients include doxycycline 100 mg twice daily or a fluoroquinolone plus clindamycin, considering the bacteriology of the wound and the need for anaerobic coverage 1.
- It's crucial to start antibiotics promptly after the bite to prevent serious infection, as cat bites have a high risk of infection due to their deep puncture nature and the bacteria in feline mouths.
- In addition to antibiotics, proper wound care including irrigation and debridement may be necessary to prevent complications and improve outcomes.
Treatment Duration and Monitoring
- The duration of oral antibiotics may vary depending on the severity of the infection and the patient's response to treatment, with a minimum of 14 days and up to 21 days in more severe cases.
- Patients should be closely monitored for signs of worsening infection, such as increasing pain, swelling, redness, or fever, and immediate medical attention should be sought if these symptoms occur, as hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics or surgical intervention may be required.
From the Research
Duration of Oral Antibiotics for Cat Bite-Induced Tenosynovitis
- The duration of oral antibiotics for cat bite-induced tenosynovitis is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, the studies suggest that antibiotic treatment should cover Pasteurella multocida, which is the most commonly cultured bacterium from infected cat bite wounds 2, 4.
- The treatment of choice for patients with infected cat or dog bites with no known bacterial cause is amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium (500 mg 3 times daily) 3.
- In one case report, a patient was treated with oral penicillin V for four days, but the treatment was not completed, leading to further complications 5.
- Another study suggests that patients with cat bite wounds should be given prophylactic antibiotics, and the majority of patients received penicillin or amoxicillin as antibiotic treatment 4.
- The guidelines for the treatment of cat and dog bites in humans recommend prophylactic antibiotics for patients with bite wounds, especially if they present late or have complications such as tendon lesions or purulent flexor tenosynovitis 6.