Cross‐sectional study of antimicrobials used for surgical prophylaxis by bovine veterinary practitioners in Australia

Abstract

Antimicrobials are widely used in veterinary practices, but there has been no investigation of antimicrobial classes used or the appropriateness of their use in bovine practice. This study investigated antimicrobial use for surgical prophylaxis in bovine practice in Australia. A cross-sectional study of veterinarian antimicrobial usage patterns was conducted using an online questionnaire. Information solicited included respondent's details, the frequency with which antimicrobials were used for specific surgical conditions (including the dose, timing and duration of therapy) and details of practice antimicrobial use policies and sources of information about antimicrobials. In total, 212 members of the Australian veterinary profession working in bovine practice completed the survey. Antimicrobials were always or frequently used by more than 75 per cent of respondents in all scenarios. Generally, antimicrobial drug choice was appropriate for the reported surgical conditions. Procaine penicillin and oxytetracycline accounted for 93 per cent of use. However, there was a wide range of doses used, with underdosing and inappropriate timing of administration being common reasons for inappropriate prophylactic treatment. There was very low use of critically important antimicrobials (3.3 per cent of antimicrobials reported). Antimicrobial use guidelines need to be developed and promoted to improve the responsible use of antimicrobials in bovine practice.

Antimicrobial labelling in Australia: a threat to antimicrobial stewardship?

“…In 2016, a series of surveys were undertaken to investigate antimicrobial usage patterns by Australian veterinarians . In total, 721 members of the veterinary profession completed the companion animal practice questions, 337 completed the equine practice questions and 212 completed the bovine practice questions.…”

“…Other antimicrobials commonly administered to horses were trimethoprim‐sulfonamide (17%) and gentamicin (12%) . In cattle, penicillins (39% procaine penicillin, 5% long‐acting penicillin formulations) and tetracyclines (46% oxytetracycline) were the antimicrobials most commonly administered for surgical prophylaxis …”

“…There are multiple sources of information about dose rates that may be used by practitioners, including educational and training materials, authoritative text books and the label recommendations provided by the manufacturers of the drugs (and approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority) . At the time of the survey, guidelines for antimicrobial use were available for companion animals, but not for horses or cattle, although guidelines for these species have been released recently in Australia .…”

“…Dose rates used by bovine practitioners have been previously reported . The dose of procaine penicillin administered ranged from 7.5 to 24 mg/kg, with the most frequent dose rates being 12.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg .…”

“…Procaine penicillin was administered once daily by 96% of respondents using a short‐acting formulation and twice daily by 5% of respondents . Similarly, for oxytetracycline the dose range was wide (2.5–13.5 mg/kg), with the most frequent dose rates being 4–5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg . Reported doses were lower than the recommended dose in 59% of cases.…”