Antimicrobials used for surgical prophylaxis by equine veterinary practitioners in Australia.
Abstract: Antimicrobials are widely used in Australian veterinary practices, but no investigation into the classes of antimicrobials used, or the appropriateness of use in horses, has been conducted. Objective: The aim of the study was to describe antimicrobial use for surgical prophylaxis in equine practice in Australia. Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Methods: An online questionnaire was used to document antimicrobial usage patterns. Information solicited in the questionnaire included demographic details of the respondents, the frequency with which antimicrobials were used for specific surgical conditions (including the dose, timing and duration of therapy) and practice antimicrobial use policies and sources of information about antimicrobials and their uses. Results: A total of 337 members of the Australian veterinary profession completed the survey. Generally, the choice of antimicrobial was appropriate for the specified equine surgical condition, but the dose and duration of therapy varied greatly. While there was poor optimal compliance with British Equine Veterinary Association guidelines in all scenarios (range 1-15%), except removal of a nonulcerated dermal mass (42%), suboptimal compliance (compliant antimicrobial drug selection but inappropriate timing, dose or duration of therapy) was moderate for all scenarios (range 48-68%), except for an uninfected contaminated wound over the thorax, where both optimal and suboptimal compliance was very poor (1%). Veterinarians practicing at a university hospital had higher odds of compliance than general practice veterinarians (Odds ratio 3.2, 95% CI, 1.1-8.9, P = 0.03). Conclusions: Many survey responses were collected at conferences which may introduce selection bias, as veterinarians attending conferences may be more likely to have been exposed to contemporary antimicrobial prescribing recommendations. Conclusions: Antimicrobial use guidelines need to be developed and promoted to improve the responsible use of antimicrobials in equine practice in Australia. An emphasis should be placed on antimicrobial therapy for wounds and appropriate dosing for procaine penicillin.
© 2017 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2017-07-10 PubMed ID: 28608525DOI: 10.1111/evj.12709Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research examines and presents the patterns of antimicrobial use for surgical prophylaxis in horses by veterinary practitioners in Australia. The study reveals variability in dosing and duration of therapy, with a generally poor compliance to British Equine Veterinary Association guidelines and suggests the need for local guidelines to improve responsible use of antimicrobials in horse practices.
Research Objective and Methodology
- The main objective of this research was to understand and describe the usage patterns of antimicrobials for surgical prophylaxis among horse veterinary practitioners in Australia.
- To achieve this, the researchers utilized a cross-sectional questionnaire survey method via an online platform.
- The questionnaire covered various elements including demographic details of the respondents, their antimicrobial usage frequency, their practices, and information sources regarding antimicrobials.
Findings of the Research
- A total of 337 Australian veterinary professionals participated in the survey.
- The study found that while the choice of antimicrobials was generally appropriate for the given equine surgical conditions, the dose and duration of usage varied extensively among the respondents.
- The survey established that compliance with British Equine Veterinary Association guidelines for antimicrobial use was poor in all instances, with the exception of removing a non-ulcerated dermal mass.
- Suboptimal compliance, which involved correct drug selection but inappropriate therapy timing, dose or duration, was moderate across all other scenarios.
- Veterinary practitioners working in university hospitals showed better compliance with guidelines than those in general practice.
Potential Limitations and Conclusion
- The study acknowledged potential selection bias owing to the fact that many survey responses were collected at conferences where attendees were more likely to be aware of contemporary antimicrobial prescribing recommendations.
- The conclusion emphasizes the need for development and promotion of local guidelines for responsible usage of antimicrobials in Australian equine practice.
- A particular focus should be placed on developing guidelines for antimicrobial wound therapy and correct dosing for procaine penicillin.
Cite This Article
APA
Hardefeldt LY, Browning GF, Thursky K, Gilkerson JR, Billman-Jacobe H, Stevenson MA, Bailey KE.
(2017).
Antimicrobials used for surgical prophylaxis by equine veterinary practitioners in Australia.
Equine Vet J, 50(1), 65-72.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12709 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, Peter Doherty Institute, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, Peter Doherty Institute, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
- National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, Peter Doherty Institute, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, Peter Doherty Institute, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, Peter Doherty Institute, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
- Australia
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Data Collection
- Female
- Horses / surgery
- Humans
- Male
- Practice Patterns, Physicians'
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Veterinarians
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Hardefeldt LY, Thomas K, Begg L. Antimicrobial use and prescribing practices by equine veterinarians in Australia: Insights into reproduction, dentistry, compounding and use for nonbactericidal effects. Aust Vet J 2025 Jun;103(6):307-313.
- Hallowell KL, Hepworth-Warren KL, Dembek K. An updated description of bacterial pneumonia in adult horses and factors associated with death. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Sep-Oct;38(5):2766-2775.
- van den Brom-Spierenburg AJ, Mureșan AN, Westermann CM. Antimicrobial Prescription Behavior in Equine Asthma Cases: An International Survey. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jan 30;14(3).
- Sri A, Bailey KE, Gilkerson JR, Browning GF, Hardefeldt LY. Attitudes towards Use of High-Importance Antimicrobials-A Cross-Sectional Study of Australian Veterinarians. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022 Nov 10;11(11).
- McClelland JW, Norris JM, Dominey-Howes D, Govendir M. Knowledge and perceptions of Australian postgraduate veterinary students prior to formal education of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance. One Health 2022 Jun;14:100366.
- Thursky KA, Hardefeldt LY, Rajkhowa A, Ierano C, Bishop J, Hawes L, Biezen R, Saha SK, Dowson L, Bailey KE, Scarborough R, Little SB, Gotterson F, Hur B, Khanina A, Urbancic K, Crabb HK, Richards S, Sri A, James R, Kong DCM, Marshall C, Mazza D, Peel T, Stuart RL, Manski-Nankervis JA, Friedman ND, Bennett N, Schulz T, Billman-Jacobe H, Buono E, Worth L, Bull A, Richards M, Ayton D, Gilkerson JR, Browning GF, Buising KL. Antimicrobial stewardship in Australia: the role of qualitative research in programme development. JAC Antimicrob Resist 2021 Dec;3(4):dlab166.
- Fujimoto K, Kawasaki M, Abe R, Yokoyama T, Haga T, Sugiura K. Establishing defined daily doses (DDDs) for antimicrobial agents used in pigs, cattle and poultry in Japan and comparing them with European DDD values. PLoS One 2021;16(4):e0245105.
- Servia-Dopazo M, Taracido-Trunk M, Figueiras A. Non-Clinical Factors Determining the Prescription of Antibiotics by Veterinarians: A Systematic Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021 Jan 30;10(2).
- Kinnison T, Cardwell JM. Conflict Between Direct Experience and Research-Based Evidence Is a Key Challenge to Evidence-Based Respiratory Medicine on British Racing Yards. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:266.
- Norris JM, Zhuo A, Govendir M, Rowbotham SJ, Labbate M, Degeling C, Gilbert GL, Dominey-Howes D, Ward MP. Factors influencing the behaviour and perceptions of Australian veterinarians towards antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. PLoS One 2019;14(10):e0223534.
- Dahan R, Oreff GL, Tatz AJ, Raz T, Britzi M, Kelmer G. Pharmacokinetics of regional limb perfusion using a combination of amikacin and penicillin in standing horses. Can Vet J 2019 Mar;60(3):294-299.
- Hardefeldt L, Nielsen T, Crabb H, Gilkerson J, Squires R, Heller J, Sharp C, Cobbold R, Norris J, Browning G. Veterinary Students' Knowledge and Perceptions About Antimicrobial Stewardship and Biosecurity-A National Survey. Antibiotics (Basel) 2018 Apr 18;7(2).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
