What antibiotic is prescribed for a cat bite?
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What antibiotic is prescribed for a cat bite?
Amoxicillin with clavulanate is the current recommendation for antibiotic treatment for cat bites. In penicillin-allergic patients or those with penicillin-resistant strains, other alternatives are necessary.
Do I need antibiotics for a cat bite?
Yes. It is advisable to see a physician as soon as possible in order to have the injury properly treated. Your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics in order to reduce the risk of infection developing at the site of the bite or elsewhere in the body.
What is best antibiotic for dog bite if allergic to penicillin?
For patients with a true allergy to penicillin, effective alternatives to co-amoxiclav include tetracycline or doxycycline plus metronidazole,19 a second generation cephalosporin with anti-anaerobic activity such as ceftriaxone, or combination therapy with clindamycin and a fluoroquinolone.
Does azithromycin treat cat bites?
Although azithromycin has not been studied, it displays in vitro activity against the common aerobic and anaerobic isolates from bite wounds when used as a single agent, and it may be useful for treatment (4,18).
When should you go to the hospital for a cat bite?
If the bite punctures a person’s skin, the bacteria then gets into the individual’s tissue and bloodstream. When people suspect that their bites are infected, they should go to the ER immediately. It often only takes a few hours for signs of infection to appear.
Do you need a tetanus shot for a cat bite?
Tetanus immunization — Tetanus is a serious, potentially life-threatening infection that can be transmitted by an animal or human bite. Adults who are bitten should receive a tetanus vaccine (called a tetanus toxoid vaccine) if the most recent tetanus vaccine was greater than 5 years previously.
Can clindamycin be used for cat bites?
Amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin) is generally considered the first-line prophylactic treatment for animal bites….Prophylactic Antibiotic Dosages for Animal Bites.
| Adults | |
|---|---|
| First-line | |
| Alternatives | |
| Clindamycin, 300 mg 3 times per day plus ciprofloxacin (Cipro), 500 mg twice per day |
Can you use doxycycline for cat bite?
The first-choice antibiotic for an adult with an animal bite is co-amoxiclav – also called Augmentin. If you are allergic to penicillin you will be given doxycycline and metronidazole.
Is doxycycline OK if allergic to penicillin?
Yes, you can take doxycycline if you are allergic to penicillin. They are different types of antibiotic.
What is the difference between doxycycline and penicillin?
Penicillins are antibiotics that kill bacteria, whereas doxycycline stops the growth of bacteria. When given together, doxycycline may block the action of penicillin.
How long do antibiotics take to work for cat bite?
* The duration of antibiotic prophylaxis is 3 to 5 days; the duration of antibiotic therapy for established infection is 5 to 14 days. ¶ The use of increased doses of amoxicillin-clavulanate may be considered in pediatric patients with infected bite wounds.
What to do if your cat bites you and breaks the skin?
If a cat or dog bites you, you should:
- Wash the wound gently with soap and water.
- Apply pressure with a clean towel to the injured area to stop any bleeding.
- Apply a sterile bandage to the wound.
- Keep the wound elevated above your heart to prevent swelling and infection.
