Factors influencing the behaviour and perceptions of Australian veterinarians towards antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance.
Authors: Norris Jacqueline M, Zhuo Annie, Govendir Merran, Rowbotham Samantha J, Labbate Maurizio, Degeling Chris, Gilbert Gwendolyn L, Dominey-Howes Dale, Ward Michael P
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Antimicrobial Prescribing Behaviour in Australian Veterinary Practice Australian veterinarians across companion animal, equine and livestock sectors were surveyed to identify the specific factors shaping their antibiotic prescribing decisions and their understanding of antimicrobial resistance drivers. The research revealed striking differences in antibiotic selection between disciplines: companion animal veterinarians prescribed broad-spectrum agents more frequently—particularly those of high importance to human medicine—whereas equine and livestock practitioners favoured narrower-spectrum options. Cost and availability emerged as the dominant barriers to evidence-based prescribing, with diagnostic testing accessibility flagged as a critical limitation, whilst social pressures and personal knowledge gaps ranked surprisingly low as obstacles. Paradoxically, livestock veterinarians demonstrated greater awareness of their sector's contribution to AMR despite using antimicrobials more judiciously, whilst small animal practitioners often underestimated the resistance implications of companion animal antibiotic use. These sector-specific insights matter considerably for farriers and equine professionals working alongside vets, suggesting that improving access to rapid, affordable diagnostics and supporting diagnostic culture submissions may prove more effective drivers of stewardship than educational campaigns alone, whilst also highlighting the need for targeted messaging that shifts companion animal practitioners' perception of their role in the broader resistance crisis.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Equine practitioners should prioritize access to affordable, rapid diagnostic testing to reduce unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing and support antimicrobial stewardship.
- •Cost barriers to culture and susceptibility testing are a major obstacle to evidence-based prescribing—consider advocating for laboratory fee structures that encourage diagnostic confirmation.
- •Awareness of your prescribing patterns and their contribution to antimicrobial resistance is an important first step; seek sector-specific stewardship guidance tailored to equine practice.
Key Findings
- •Australian veterinarians prescribe antibiotics in approximately one-third of consultations, with significant differences between small companion animal, equine, and livestock practitioners.
- •Cost of culture and susceptibility testing and lack of access to rapid, affordable diagnostics were identified as the strongest barriers to appropriate antibiotic prescribing.
- •Small companion animal veterinarians prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics of higher human health importance more frequently than livestock veterinarians, despite using fewer antibiotics overall.
- •Livestock veterinarians demonstrated greater awareness of their contribution to antimicrobial resistance despite prescribing narrower-spectrum antibiotics of lower importance to human and animal health.