Antibacterial Drugs Prescribed for Dogs and Cats in Sweden and Norway 1990–1998

Abstract

. -The usage of veterinary antibacterial drugs in dogs and cats in Sweden and Norway for the period 1990-1998 was investigated by use of drug wholesalers´ statistics. Additionally, usage of human antibacterial drugs in these species in Sweden was investigated by use of prescription data for the period 1996-1998. On average, more than 50% of the prescribed veterinary antibacterials in Sweden were beta-lactam antibiotics. In Norway, about 75% of the preparations prescribed for dogs and cats contained sulfonamides and trimethoprim. Furthermore, the prescription data from Sweden showed a reduced usage of human antibacterials prescribed for dogs and cats since the beginning of the 1980s. Approximately 20% of the prescribed packages for dogs in the years 1996-1998 were human approved drugs. The corresponding figure for cats was 13%. The differences between the countries in the choice of antibacterial drugs can be explained by differences in the availability of approved preparations during the study period. The consumption of veterinary antibacterials in dogs and cats in Sweden during the period was in the range of 3% to 8% of the total use of veterinary antibacterials. The corresponding figures in Norway were in the range of 3% to 7%. It is of vital importance to study usage patterns of antibacterial drugs in dogs and cats in surveillance and control of bacterial resistance, but also in discussions of therapeutic appropriateness. Therefore, further research is needed in this area.

Prescribing practices of primary-care veterinary practitioners in dogs diagnosed with bacterial pyoderma

“…The most frequently prescribed systemic antimicrobial agents in the present study were amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefalexin (broad-spectrum beta lactams) and clindamycin, all of which are considered appropriate first-line choices for treatment of straightforward superficial and surface pyoderma in dogs [ 16 , 27 ]. This finding is consistent with reports from various countries, including the UK, describing antimicrobial prescribing in companion animals generally, for dermatological complaints and specifically for treatment of canine pyoderma [ 10 , 19 - 21 , 28 - 33 ].…”

Antibiotic Resistant and Biofilm-Associated Escherichia coli Isolates from Diarrheic and Healthy Dogs

“…The most commonly used antimicrobials for companion animals in Europe (e.g., Poland [ 36 ], Italy [ 37 ], Finland [ 38 ], Sweden [ 39 ], Norway [ 40 ] and the UK [ 41 ]) are β-lactams (such as ampicillin, amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate). Fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines, nitroimidazoles and trimethoprim/sulphonamides have been also reported to be routinely used in small animal practice, but on a much smaller scale than β-lactams.…”

Antimicrobial Prescriptions for Dogs in the Capital of Spain

“…In the UK (7, 8), the next most common were nitroimidazoles, lincosamides and macrolides, and fluoroquinolones. In the Nordic countries [Sweden and Norway (18); Finland (10)], amoxicillin with clavulanic acid was followed by trimethoprim-sulphonamides, macrolides and lincosamides, fluoroquinolones, and metronidazole. In an Italian study with dogs and cats (11), fluoroquinolones ranked second after beta-lactams.…”