1. Ten cases of local infections of Pasteurella multocida have been treated at the University of Colorado betweens January 1967 and August 1967.
2. If a painful, acute infection develops within twenty-four hours after an animal bite or scratch, the physician should suspect Pasteurella multocida.
3. The hand is a common site of local Pasteurella multocida infections.
4. Pasteurella multocida is frequently a part of the normal flora of the respiratory tract of healthy cats and dogs.
5. Cat-scratch disease is a viral infection which should not be confused with local Pasteurella multocida infections.
6. The cellulitis, abscess, or tenosynovitis resulting from Pasteurella multocida should respond promptly to surgical drainage, elevation, and systemic antibiotics. In our experience, this gram-negative, ovoid bacillus is sensitive to all antibiotics. Normal function of the part can be expected within three weeks.