When treating a cat bite, what prophylactic antibiotic should be administered?

In the case of cat bites, the most common pathogens involved are Pasteurella multocida, which is often found in the oral flora of cats, as well as other bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species. Amoxicillin/Clavulanate is the recommended prophylactic antibiotic for these types of injuries because it provides broad-spectrum coverage against these potential pathogens, including both aerobic and anaerobic organisms.

Amoxicillin alone would not be adequate due to the risk of beta-lactamase production by some strains of bacteria, which can render it ineffective. The addition of clavulanate in Amoxicillin/Clavulanate protects against this by inhibiting these enzymes. Furthermore, when considering other options, antibiotics like ciprofloxacin or cephalexin do not cover the range of bacteria typically associated with cat bites as effectively as Amoxicillin/Clavulanate does. Doxycycline, while it could cover some potential organisms, is not the first-line choice for this specific indication due to its narrower spectrum and various potential side effects in children.

Thus, the use of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate aligns well with the clinical guidelines for preventing infectious complications from cat bites, making it the appropriate choice