From the Guidelines
For a cat bite, the recommended dose of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) is 875/125 mg taken orally twice daily. This recommendation is based on the guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections, as outlined in the study by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1. The study provides a table of recommended therapies for infections following animal or human bites, which includes amoxicillin-clavulanate as a first-line treatment option for animal bites.
The dose of 875/125 mg taken orally twice daily is specified in the table as the recommended oral dose for amoxicillin-clavulanate for animal bites, including cat bites. It's essential to start antibiotics as soon as possible after a cat bite, ideally within 24 hours, as cat bites have a high risk of infection due to the deep puncture wounds they create and the bacteria present in cats' mouths, particularly Pasteurella multocida.
Some key points to consider when treating a cat bite with Augmentin include:
- Take the medication with food to reduce stomach upset
- The usual treatment duration is 5-7 days
- Ensure the wound is thoroughly cleaned with soap and water
- Consider a tetanus booster if you haven't had one in the past 5 years
- Seek immediate medical attention if you notice increasing pain, redness, swelling, or drainage from the bite, as these are signs of worsening infection.
It's worth noting that the guidelines also recommend considering the bacteriology of the wound and adjusting the treatment accordingly, as well as being aware of potential resistance patterns, such as the resistance of Eikenella corrodens to first-generation cephalosporins, macrolides, clindamycin, and aminoglycosides 1. However, for a cat bite, the recommended dose of Augmentin remains 875/125 mg taken orally twice daily.
From the Research
Dose of Augmentin for Cat Bite
- The recommended dose of Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate) for cat bites is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
- However, study 2 recommends amoxicillin-clavulanate for the outpatient treatment of dog and cat bite wounds.
- Study 3 also suggests amoxicillin/clavulanate as the first-line prophylactic antibiotic for cat bites, especially for high-risk infections such as puncture wounds or wounds to the hand.
- Study 4 mentions a dose of 20 mg/kg q12h of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 20 days in cats, but this is in the context of treating upper respiratory tract infections in young cats, not specifically for cat bites.
Antibiotic Susceptibility
- Study 5 found that Pasteurella multocida, a common bacterium in cat bite wounds, is highly susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanate (100% susceptibility).
- This suggests that Augmentin may be an effective treatment option for cat bites, but the optimal dose and duration of treatment are not specified in the provided studies.