Treatment of Cat Bites with Augmentin

Microbiology of Cat Bites

• Cat bites have a high infection rate of 30-50%, significantly higher than dog bites, with Pasteurella multocida isolated from 75% of cat bite wounds, making it the predominant pathogen of concern 3, 4, 5
• Cat bites also contain mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including staphylococci and streptococci, with a greater prevalence of anaerobes compared to dog bites 3, 5

Treatment Recommendations

• The American College of Physicians recommends oral amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) 875/125 mg twice daily as the empiric treatment for cat bites, due to its excellent coverage against Pasteurella multocida and other common pathogens 1, 6, 7
• For less severe infections, amoxicillin-clavulanate 500 mg three times daily is also appropriate, as recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1, 3

Complications and Special Considerations

• Potential complications of cat bites include septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, subcutaneous abscess formation, tendonitis, and rarely bacteremia, with pain disproportionate to the injury near a bone or joint raising suspicion for periosteal penetration 3
• Complications may require prolonged therapy, such as 3-4 weeks for synovitis or 4-6 weeks for osteomyelitis, as recommended by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 3

Wound Management

• Thorough cleansing and irrigation with sterile normal saline is essential for wound management, as recommended by the World Health Organization 4