Usage of Antimicrobials in Equine Veterinary Practice in Denmark - A Case-Based Survey.
Authors: Jacobsen Alice B J E, Damborg Peter, Hopster-Iversen Charlotte
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Danish equine practitioners demonstrate considerable restraint in prescribing systemic antimicrobials for self-limiting conditions like cough (1%) and pastern dermatitis (7%), yet usage escalates substantially for conditions with infectious aetiology—56% for strangles, 72% for superficial wounds near joints, and 44% for tooth extractions—according to survey responses from 103 veterinarians presented with standardised clinical scenarios. Encouragingly, critically important antimicrobial agents (those reserved for human medicine) featured minimally in treatment protocols, with enrofloxacin reported by only two respondents, suggesting awareness of stewardship principles among Danish equine vets. The study reveals that evidence-based factors—bacterial culture results (47%) and established antimicrobial protocols (45%)—substantially outweighed client-driven pressures in prescribing decisions, and notably, 36% of respondents already operated within formalised practice protocols. Nevertheless, significant gaps remain: limited oral antimicrobial options (sulphadiazine/trimethoprim dominance), insufficient treatment guidelines, and reliance on case-based rather than evidence-driven approaches underscore the need for enhanced pre- and post-graduate education and sector-wide protocol development. For equine professionals across all disciplines, these findings reinforce that veterinary prescribing patterns—whilst generally judicious—require continued standardisation through accessible guidelines and educational initiatives to sustain antimicrobial efficacy and mitigate resistance in both equine and public health contexts.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Establish and implement written antimicrobial protocols in your practice to align prescribing with best evidence, as this was identified as a key decision-making factor by practitioners
- •Consider that bacterial culture results and formal guidelines should drive antimicrobial selection rather than routine empirical prescribing, particularly for conditions like wound infections
- •Advocate for expanded oral antibiotic options and clearer treatment guidelines at industry and regulatory levels to improve antimicrobial stewardship in equine practice
Key Findings
- •Only 1% of Danish equine practitioners prescribed systemic antimicrobials for cough, while 72% prescribed them for superficial wounds near joints
- •Bacterial culture (47%) and antimicrobial protocols (45%) were the primary factors influencing prescribing decisions, far outweighing owner economy (5%) and expectations (4%)
- •Only 36% of respondents worked in practices with established antimicrobial protocols
- •Enrofloxacin was the only critically important antimicrobial reported by respondents, with limited oral antibiotic availability (only sulphadiazine/trimethoprim) noted as a constraint