What is the appropriate length of treatment for a documented infection from an animal bite?

The appropriate length of treatment for a documented infection from an animal bite is 7 to 14 days. Animal bites can introduce various pathogens that may lead to serious infections, most notably from rabies, but also from bacteria such as Pasteurella multocida in cat bites or Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species in dog bites.

A treatment duration of 7 to 14 days is generally recommended to adequately address the potential infection and to give the antibiotic therapy enough time to eliminate the pathogens while helping to prevent complications. The choice of antibiotics may vary based on the type of animal bite and the patient's health status, but the established treatment duration ensures a thorough approach to manage the infection effectively. Therefore, this length of treatment is necessary for achieving adequate healing and preventing the progress of the infection.

Other durations—like 3-5 days—would likely be insufficient for treating a documented infection, while the longer duration of 14-21 days might be more than necessary for uncomplicated cases unless there are specific indications for extended therapy due to severe infections or complications.