Background Dog-to-dog bite wounds are a common veterinary emergency presentation: despite this, there is insufficient information to guide veterinarians on appropriate empirical antimicrobial management.Objectives Investigate the effectiveness of amoxicillinclavulanic acid with and without enrofloxacin in the treatment of moderate grade dog bite wounds (DBW). To describe common pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.Materials and methods In a single-centre parallel group pragmatic trial, 50 dogs presenting with moderate grade DBW were prospectively randomised to receive amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (group A) or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and enrofloxacin (group B). Swabs were taken for culture and susceptibility testing at admission. Stabilisation, wound care and surgical debridement were performed at the discretion of admitting clinicians. The primary outcome was complication due to infection at 10 days, with Bayesian inference used to estimate the difference in proportions between treatment groups.Results Of the 24 dogs in treatment group A, 1 required the addition of enrofloxacin at re-examination. None of the 26 dogs in group B required alteration of antimicrobial coverage. The difference in complication rate due to infection between treatment groups was 4.2%. Twenty-one different organisms were identified: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Neisseria spp., Pasteurella multocida and P. canis were the most common. Over 90% of gram-negative and gram-positive isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Ninety-six percent of gram-negative and 86% of gram-positive isolates were susceptible to enrofloxacin. Conclusion and clinical significanceAmoxicillin-clavulanic acid is an appropriate empirical antimicrobial choice for moderate DBW in South East Queensland. Reduced empirical enrofloxacin use will promote antimicrobial stewardship and potentially antimicrobial resistance.

Although dog-to-dog bite wounds (DBW) are a common presentation to veterinary clinics, antimicrobial prescribing habits of Australian clinics have not been reported. This study determined the frequency and results of DBW cultures; antimicrobial selection; and importance class of antimicrobials prescribed relative to wound severity, geographic location, or year. A systematic sample of 72,507 patient records was retrieved from the VetCompass Australia database. Records for 1713 dog bite events involving 1655 dogs were reviewed for presenting signs, results of culture and susceptibility testing (C&S), antimicrobial treatment, geographical location, and outcome. A crossed random effects multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine if antimicrobial importance was associated with wound severity, year, and location, and to assess the differences in antimicrobial prescription between geographical locations, clinics, and veterinarians. Antimicrobials were prescribed in 86.1% of DBW. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was prescribed in 70% (1202/1713) with underdosing in 15.8% (191/1202). High-importance antimicrobial use was associated with wound severity (p < 0.001), year category (p = 0.007), and surgery (p = 0.03). C&S testing was recorded as having been performed in only one case. Differences in individual veterinarian prescribing habits were stronger than the clinic culture, suggesting that education utilizing clinic-wide antimicrobial guidelines may aid in improving antimicrobial stewardship.

Background Although dog‐to‐dog bite wounds (DBW) are common, few studies worldwide have evaluated antimicrobial usage patterns or appropriateness of use. Objectives Report frequency and results of DBW cultures, including antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. Determine the most commonly prescribed antimicrobials and their appropriateness for the treatment of DBW, and if antimicrobial importance is associated with wound severity, clinic type or year. Animals One thousand five hundred twenty‐six dog bite events involving 1436 dogs presenting with DBW from 3 Australian university clinics from 1999 to 2019. Methods Retrospective study. Medical records were reviewed for presenting signs, culture and susceptibility testing, antimicrobial treatment, and outcome. A partial proportional odds model was used to determine if use of higher importance antimicrobials was associated with wound severity, clinic, or year. Results Antimicrobials were prescribed in 88.1% (1344/1526) of DBW. Amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid was prescribed in 73.4% (1121/1526) of dogs, followed by first‐generation cephalosporins, 18.1% (277/1526). Of a total of 1647 antimicrobial prescriptions, underdosing occurred in 13.4% for AMC (220/1647) and 26.1% (81/310) of dogs prescribed first generation cephalosporins. There was an association between the increased use of high‐importance antimicrobials and wound severity (P < .001), antimicrobial polytherapy (P < .001) and year (P < .001). The odds of the clinic with specialists prescribing high‐importance antimicrobials compared to those of medium importance for DBW was 82% less than that of a semi‐rural, mixed and general practice. Culture and susceptibility (C&S) testing was performed in 1.8% of dogs. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Empirical use of amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid was common for DBW. Increasing wound severity was associated with greater use of high‐importance antimicrobials. While C&S testing was rarely performed, routine susceptibility profiles are recommended to optimize antimicrobial stewardship.