I got bitten by a cat on my thumb and am experiencing reduced mobility and redness around the bite area while taking Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate), should I seek further medical attention?

Seek Immediate Medical Attention - You Likely Have a Deep Infection Requiring Urgent Evaluation

Despite being on Augmentin, your inability to move your thumb combined with persistent redness indicates a serious complication that requires urgent medical evaluation, potentially including surgical intervention. Cat bites to the hand are particularly dangerous and can rapidly progress to deep infections involving tendons, joints, or bone 1.

Why This Is an Emergency

• Cat bites have the highest infection rate of all animal bites, with 75% harboring Pasteurella multocida and 65% containing anaerobic bacteria 1
• Hand wounds are often more serious than wounds to other body parts due to the complex anatomy of tendons, joints, and bone in confined spaces 1
• Loss of thumb mobility is a red flag suggesting possible septic arthritis, tenosynovitis (tendon sheath infection), or osteomyelitis 1
• Pain disproportionate to injury near a bone or joint suggests periosteal penetration - a surgical emergency 1

What Complications You May Have

Your symptoms suggest one or more of these serious complications 1:

• Septic arthritis (joint infection)
• Tenosynovitis (tendon sheath infection causing inability to move the thumb)
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Deep abscess formation
• Compartment syndrome (rare but limb-threatening)

These conditions require 4-6 week antibiotic courses for osteomyelitis and 3-4 week courses for joint infections, often with initial intravenous therapy 1.

Why Augmentin Alone May Not Be Enough

While amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) is the correct first-line oral antibiotic for cat bites 1, your worsening symptoms despite treatment indicate:

• The infection may have progressed to deep structures requiring surgical drainage 1
• You may need intravenous antibiotics such as ampicillin-sulbactam, piperacillin/tazobactam, or carbapenems 1
• Surgical debridement or drainage may be necessary if there is abscess, joint involvement, or tendon sheath infection 1

Immediate Actions Required

Go to an emergency department now if 1:

• You cannot move your thumb (suggests tendon or joint involvement)
• Pain is severe or disproportionate to the wound appearance
• Redness is spreading
• You develop fever, chills, or feel systemically unwell

At minimum, see a physician within 24 hours for 1:

• Hand X-rays to evaluate for bone involvement or foreign body
• Possible MRI or ultrasound to assess for deep abscess or tenosynovitis
• Consideration for intravenous antibiotics
• Surgical consultation if deep infection is suspected

Critical Timing

Infections from cat bites can progress rapidly - often within 12-24 hours - because cat teeth create deep puncture wounds that inoculate bacteria into closed spaces 1, 2. The fact that you're already on appropriate antibiotics but still worsening is particularly concerning and suggests the infection has outpaced oral therapy.

Additional Considerations

• Ensure your tetanus vaccination is current (within 10 years) 1
• Rabies prophylaxis should be considered if the cat's vaccination status is unknown or if it was a feral/stray cat 1
• Elevation of your hand above heart level accelerates healing and reduces swelling 1

Do not delay - hand infections from cat bites can result in permanent loss of function if not treated aggressively and early.