Which antibiotic is often recommended for treating dog, cat, or human bites?

Amoxicillin/clavulanate is commonly recommended for treating bites from dogs, cats, or humans due to its broad spectrum of activity against the types of bacteria typically found in these bite wounds. Bites can introduce a variety of bacteria, including those from the oral flora of the biting animal or human, which are often polymicrobial.

Amoxicillin/clavulanate is effective against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including common pathogens such as Pasteurella spp. (often found in cat bites) and various strains of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. The addition of clavulanate helps to inhibit beta-lactamase enzymes produced by some bacteria, enhancing the efficacy of amoxicillin against resistant strains.

In contrast, other options might not provide coverage for all the organisms typically present in bite wounds. For instance, ciprofloxacin primarily targets gram-negative bacteria and would not adequately cover many oral flora associated with bite wounds. Doxycycline is effective for certain types of infections but does not have the same broad spectrum against the variety of pathogens involved in bite injuries. Clindamycin, while effective against anaerobic infections, lacks sufficient coverage for some of the common pathogens found in animal bites, especially those requiring broad-spectrum treatment.