What is the antibiotic of choice for a dog or cat bite?

The antibiotic of choice for a dog or cat bite is Augmentin, which is a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate. This choice is based on the high risk of infection from bites due to the variety of bacteria present in the mouth of these animals.

Dog and cat bites are particularly prone to introducing organisms like Pasteurella multocida, which is common in cats, and other polymicrobial flora. Augmentin offers broad-spectrum coverage against these bacteria, including beta-lactamase producing strains, which may be resistant to other antibiotics.

Cipro, while effective against certain bacteria, does not provide adequate coverage for the typical pathogens found in animal bites, making it less suitable. Keflex, although it targets some skin flora, does not have the comprehensive coverage required for the mixed infections often resultant from bites. Flagyl is effective against anaerobic bacteria and is generally not sufficient for treating the polymicrobial infections arising from bites, as it does not cover the most common pathogens involved.

Thus, due to its empirical effectiveness against the range of bacteria typically found in dog and cat bites, Augmentin is the preferred choice for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment in these scenarios.