Large Animal Internal Medicine Resident University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Abstract:
Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem affecting humans and animals. Of particular concern is resistance to the third-generation cephalosporins which are critically important to both human and animal health. As antimicrobial resistance follows usage, identifying prescribing patterns is essential for its control. To date, there is a lack of information regarding antimicrobial prescribing practices in equine patients. Hypothesis/
Objectives: To describe antimicrobial prescribing practices to equine patients at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s Large Animal Clinic in Saskatoon, Canada, from 2019 to 2023. Animals: Any horse treated with at least one antimicrobial.
Methods: Electronic medical records and client invoices from January 1st, 2019, to December 31st, 2023, were retrieved, and those with antimicrobial billing codes were reviewed. Data including signalment, antimicrobial prescribed, indication, whether a treatment protocol was specified, and whether bacterial culture and sensitivity were performed to guide treatment decisions were extracted.
Results: A total of 1,629 records were identified. To date, 1,709 prescriptions from 738 records have been evaluated. The most prescribed antimicrobials were trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (578/1,709; 33.8%), gentamicin (552/1,709; 32.3%), penicillin-gentamicin combination (231/1,709; 13.5%), and ceftiofur (198/1,709; 11.6%). Regarding ceftiofur, (32/198, 16.2%) of prescriptions were accompanied by culture and sensitivity testing, and (75/198; 38%) were prescribed for musculoskeletal conditions. Conclusions and Critical Importance: This is the first study in Western Canada investigating equine antimicrobial prescription practices. These preliminary results highlight the lack of an evidence-based approach to antimicrobial prescription, and the frequent usage of third-generation cephalosporins in equine patients due to their broad-spectrum activity.
