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Medical Author:

Scott D Fell, DO, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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If antibiotics are prescribed, it is important to recognize that they are not used to treat an infection. They are used to try to prevent infection. The trend toward prescribing and using fewer antibiotics continues, and therefore, the patient may not be given antibiotics, but instead told to monitor the wound closely for any signs or symptoms of infection.

• Bites that generally warrant antibiotics are these:
  • Cat bites with a deep puncture
  • A wound that required tissue removal (debridement)
  • A heavily contaminated wound
  • Bites in elderly
  • Bites in people with underlying chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes)
• Those bites to areas with good blood supply (the face) generally do not require antibiotics.
• The most common antibiotics prescribed are amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin) or a combination of two medications, amoxicillin and cephalexin (Keflex). Other antibiotics used include erythromycin, co-trimoxazole (Bactrim), and azithromycin (Zithromax).
• If used in the initial period, a five day course of antibiotics is generally adequate, although some recommend only three days and some seven days. These rules change if you are actively treating an infection, or if the bite was particularly dirty or contaminated.

Most bite wounds are treated with over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin). Occasionally, the doctor may prescribe a stronger pain medication for the short-term control of pain from the bite.

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