TABLE 3.

Prophylaxis (duration of 48 to 72 h) or empirical oral therapy for established infections caused by dog and cat bites^*

Dog bites	Cat bites
Amoxicillin-clavulanate 40 mg/kg/day by mouth divided tid (antibiotic of choice)	Amoxicillin-clavulanate 40 mg/kg/day by mouth divided tid (antibiotic of choice)
Alternative oral agents include:	Alternative oral agents include:
• A combination of penicillin V (25 to 50 mg/kg/day divided tid to qid) with a first-generation cephalosporin	• A combination of penicillin V (25 to 50mg/kg/day divided tid to qid) with a first-generation cephalosporin
• A combination of clindamycin (20 to 40 mg/kg/day divided tid) with TMP/SMX (8 to 12 mg TMP/40 to 60 mg SMX/kg/day divided bid)	• A combination of clindamycin (20 to 40 mg/kg/day divided tid) with TMP/SMX (8 to 12 mg TMP/40 to 60 mg SMX/kg/day divided bid)
• A combination of clindamycin (20 to 40 mg/kg/day divided tid) with a fluoroquinolone†	• An extended spectrum second-generation cephalosporin (eg, cefuroxime axetil)
• Azithromycin (limited data on efficacy)	• A combination of clindamycin (20 to 40 mg/kg/day divided tid) with a fluoroquinolone†
	• Azithromycin (limited data on efficacy)

^*See Table 2 for indications.

^†Fluoroquinolones are not routinely recommended for children younger than 18 years of age because of concerns about damage to developing cartilage. TMP/SMX Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole