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Cats

Usual Pathogens

Polymicrobial:

Pasteurella spp
Streptococcus spp
Staphylococcus spp/MRSA
Anaerobes
Neisseria spp
Moraxella spp
Corynebacterium spp
Enterococcus spp
Bacillus spp
Bergeyella spp

Rare:

Bartonella spp

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Francisella tularensis
Yersinia pestis
Sporothrix schenckii

Prophylaxis

- Ensure tetanus status up to date.

- Infection rate up to 80%. Prophylaxis (ideally within 12h of bite) is recommended if:

moderate/severe (wound > 3 cm)
edema, pre-existing or resultant
puncture wounds
bone/joint involvement
injuries to hand, foot, face, genitalia
asplenic patients
advanced liver disease
immunocompromised
implants (e.g. prosthetic heart valves).

Empiric Therapy	Dose	Duration
Amoxicillin-clavulanate	875mg PO bid	3-5 days

Penicillin/amoxicillin allergy

Empiric Therapy	Dose	Duration
Cefuroxime axetil	500mg PO bid	3-5 days
+
Metronidazole	500mg PO bid

Cefuroxime allergy

Empiric Therapy	Dose	Duration
[Doxycycline	100mg PO bid	3-5 days
+/-
Metronidazole]	500mg PO bid
or
[TMP/SMX	1 DS tab PO bid	3-5 days
+
Metronidazole]	500mg PO bid

Treatment

Empiric Therapy	Dose	Duration
Amoxicillin-clavulanate	875mg PO bid	7-10 days

Penicillin/amoxicillin allergy

Empiric Therapy	Dose	Duration
Cefuroxime axetil	500mg PO bid	7-10 days
+
Metronidazole	500mg PO bid

Cefuroxime allergy

Empiric Therapy	Dose	Duration
[Doxycycline	100mg PO bid	7-10 days
+/-
Metronidazole]	500mg PO bid
or
[TMP/SMX	1 DS tab PO bid	7-10 days
+
Metronidazole]	500mg PO bid

Moderate

Empiric Therapy	Dose	Duration
Ceftriaxone	2g IV daily	7-10 days
+
Metronidazole	500mg PO bid

Severe/Limb-threatening

Empiric Therapy	Dose	Duration
Piperacillin-tazobactam	3.375g IV q6h	10-14 days
Penicillin allergy
Meropenem	500mg IV q6h	10-14 days