UC Davis

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of current antimicrobial prescribing practices can inform antimicrobial stewardship efforts. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Our primary objective was to describe current antibiotic prescribing practice in veterinary schools. ANIMALS: Medical records from 1800 animals (1403 dogs, 397 cats) at 31 US and Canadian veterinary schools were included. METHODS: Hospitals collected data from medical records of animals evaluated on a single date in August 2022. Data included patient signalment, hospitalization status, clinical condition(s), diagnostic testing, antibiotics prescribed, route of administration, evidence of infection, and intended use. RESULTS: Overall, 30.4% (95% CI, 28.3%-32.6%) of animals (32.0% of dogs, 24.9% of cats) were prescribed an antibiotic. The most common conditions for which antibiotics were prescribed were surgical (27.3%, 191/699), urinary (11.9%, 83/699), and respiratory (11.6%, 81/699). The most prescribed classes of antibiotics included aminopenicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitors, first-generation cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones. First-line antibiotics were not prescribed for sporadic bacterial cystitis. For all prescriptions intended for the treatment of infection, the median duration was 10 days, whereas for those intended for prophylaxis, the median duration was 7 days. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Opportunities for antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary schools include guidance for use of fluoroquinolones, decreased usage of antibiotics for surgical prophylaxis, and prioritization of first-line antibiotics for sporadic bacterial cystitis. Tracking of antibiotic use data is important to benchmark prescribing and track progress.