A VetCompass Australia Study of Antimicrobial Use in Dog-to-Dog Bite Wounds (1998–2018)

Abstract

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.

Antimicrobial use in laboratory rodent facilities in Australia and New Zealand- a cross-sectional survey of veterinarians and facility managers

“…AMR bacteria are not necessarily more virulent, however, delays in infection control due to ineffective initial treatment and testing required to determine appropriate therapy, dramatically increases the cost of medical care, and impacts human and animal patients' health [14]. Whilst the AMR implications of antimicrobial use in agriculture, aquaculture, companion animals and equids are established and the subject of considerable quantitative and qualitative research, there is a knowledge gap with respect to antimicrobial use in laboratory animals, particularly research rodents [15][16][17]. This is important to understand, given the considerable number of research rodents used worldwide, estimated to exceed 120 million, and their utility in biomedical research, meaning use has only grown with time [18,19].…”

“…Whilst the AMR implications of antimicrobial use in agriculture, aquaculture, companion animals and equids are established and the subject of considerable quantitative and qualitative research, there is a knowledge gap with respect to antimicrobial use in laboratory animals, particularly research rodents [15–17]. This is important to understand, given the considerable number of research rodents used worldwide, estimated to exceed 120 million, and their utility in biomedical research, meaning use has only grown with time [18,19].…”

Antimicrobials in dog‐to‐dog bite wounds: A retrospective study of 1526 dog bite events (1999‐2019)

“…2,5,12,20 However, a recent study demonstrated that C&S of DBW by veterinarians is rarely performed. 21 Currently there is limited published data on the most cultured organisms from DBW in South East Queensland (SEQ). Data reporting antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for bacteria isolated from SEQ DBW will improve first choice antimicrobial selection, thereby reducing the rate of development of antimicrobial resistance, improve treatment success and outcomes.…”