A 16-year-old with two small puncture wounds from a cat bite, no redness, normal tetanus history; how should this be treated?

A 16-year-old with two small puncture wounds from a cat bite, no redness, normal tetanus history; how should this be treated?

• A. Clean the wound with soap and water and prescribe Augmentin 500 mg bid x 10 days
• B. Apply local antiseptic and observe
• C. Begin amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) 500 mg bid for 10 days
• D. Recommend tetanus booster only

Answer: (C)

Cat bites carry a high risk of infection from Pasteurella multocida and oral anaerobes, even when wounds look small and are not red yet. The most important step is to start antibiotic prophylaxis that covers these organisms. Amoxicillin-clavulanate is the drug of choice because it reliably covers Pasteurella and anaerobes, which is why beginning Augmentin is the best option in this teenager. Tetanus booster isn’t needed here since immunization is up to date, so relying on a booster alone would miss the infection risk. Wound cleaning is part of initial care, but without antibiotics the bite could still become infected. A 10-day course of amoxicillin-clavulanate provides appropriate coverage for cat-bite pathogens in adolescents.

Cat bites carry a high risk of infection from Pasteurella multocida and oral anaerobes, even when wounds look small and are not red yet. The most important step is to start antibiotic prophylaxis that covers these organisms. Amoxicillin-clavulanate is the drug of choice because it reliably covers Pasteurella and anaerobes, which is why beginning Augmentin is the best option in this teenager. Tetanus booster isn’t needed here since immunization is up to date, so relying on a booster alone would miss the infection risk. Wound cleaning is part of initial care, but without antibiotics the bite could still become infected. A 10-day course of amoxicillin-clavulanate provides appropriate coverage for cat-bite pathogens in adolescents.