Usage of Antimicrobials in Equine Veterinary Practice in Denmark – A Case-Based Survey.
Abstract: Horses may be carriers of important resistant bacteria like methicillin-resistant staphylococci. Such bacteria can potentially threaten both equine and public health, but little is known about predisposing factors like antimicrobial usage patterns in equines. Objectives of this study were to investigate the antimicrobial usage practices by Danish equine practitioners as well as factors impacting usage. A total of 103 equine practitioners filled in an online questionnaire. When asked to explain their typical treatment of six clinical case scenarios, only 1% and 7% of respondents prescribed systemic antimicrobials for a cough and pastern dermatitis, respectively. More frequent usage was reported for diarrhoea (43%), extraction of a cracked tooth (44%), strangles (56%), and superficial wound near a joint (72%). Among the antibiotics indicated for treatment, enrofloxacin was the only critically important antimicrobial agent reported by two respondents. Thirty-eight (36%) respondents worked in practices with antimicrobial protocols. When asked to prioritize the most important factor influencing prescribing habits, bacterial culture (47%) and antimicrobial protocols (45%) were selected far more often than the owner´s economy (5%) and expectations (4%). Veterinarians reported limitations such as the availability of only one oral antibiotic (sulphadiazine/trimethoprim), and a need for clearer treatment guidelines. In conclusion, the study highlighted important aspects regarding antimicrobial usage among equine practitioners. Antimicrobial protocols and pre- and post-graduate education on prudent antimicrobial usage are recommended.
Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-03-08 PubMed ID: 36898617DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104267Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper talks about the usage practices of antimicrobials, a type of anti-infective medicine, in equine aka horse veterinary care in Denmark, identifying factors that affect such usage, and finding out the limitations and consequences of the current practices.
Study Methodology
- The researchers created an online questionnaire which was filled by 103 equine practitioners in Denmark.
- The questionnaire was designed to understand the practitioners’ treatment methods for six different clinical cases frequently encountered in equine practice. These case scenarios involved horses showing symptoms of cough, pastern dermatitis, diarrhoea, tooth extraction, strangles, and superficial wound near a joint.
- Furthermore, the questionnaire aimed to understand the functions impacting the prescriber’s decisions, including factors such as bacterial culture results, the existence of the antimicrobial protocol in the practice, owner’s economy, and expectations, etc.
Key Findings
- Much fewer practitioners reportedly prescribed systemic antimicrobials for treating cough (only 1%) and pastern dermatitis (7%).
- More practitioners chose to use antimicrobials when dealing with diarrhoea (43%), tooth extraction (44%), strangles (56%), and superficial wounds near a joint (72%).
- Two practitioners used enrofloxacin, a critically important antimicrobial agent for treatment.
- In most instances, the choice of antimicrobial usage was dictated by the bacterial culture (47%) and the protocols in place (45%) rather than the owner’s financial considerations (5%) or expectations (4%).
- One limitation noted was the availability of only one type of oral antibiotic, sulphadiazine/trimethoprim.
- Respondents expressed a need for clearer treatment guidelines.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- The results of the study highlight essential considerations about the use of antimicrobials within equine veterinary practice in Denmark.
- Antimicrobial usage protocols, along with pre- and post-graduate education on the prudent use of antimicrobials, are suggested to ensure more effective treatment and to avoid antibiotic resistance.
Cite This Article
APA
Jacobsen ABJE, Damborg P, Hopster-Iversen C.
(2023).
Usage of Antimicrobials in Equine Veterinary Practice in Denmark – A Case-Based Survey.
J Equine Vet Sci, 126, 104267.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104267 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark.
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark. Electronic address: charlotte.hopster.iversen@sund.ku.dk.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Humans
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Bacteria
- Veterinarians
- Denmark
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Sousa A, de Rago L, Pinho JO, Estrela M, Coelho AC, Oliveira PA, Figueiras A, Roque F, Herdeiro MT. Understanding how veterinarians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices influence antibiotic prescription: a systematic review of survey studies. BMC Vet Res 2025 Sep 24;21(1):543.
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