Attitude, Opinions, and Working Preferences Survey among Pet Practitioners Relating to Antimicrobials in India

Abstract

The indiscriminate usage and overuse of antimicrobials in pets or companion animals are underlying causes of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Despite the multi-faceted global challenge presented by antimicrobial resistance, very few studies have appraised pet practitioners’ factors, such as written policy on antimicrobials, dose rate prescribed, use of critically important antimicrobials, and antimicrobial prescription in clean surgical procedures, which can contribute to AMR. In the present study, an online cross-sectional survey among randomly selected pet practitioners (n = 104) of various Indian provinces and union territories was conducted using a questionnaire comprising 33 closed-ended questions on different parameters, viz., the dosage regimen and level of compliance towards guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), other relevant veterinary associations, and their opinion while prescribing antimicrobials. Almost every practitioner of the 104 respondents had revealed the difficulties with owner compliance; i.e., incomplete course of the antibiotics, inappropriate follow-ups, and improper care of the sick animals. The majority of practitioners (95%) reported self-prescription of antimicrobials by the owner before presenting the pet(s) to the veterinary clinic, whereas more than half of the respondents (64%) revealed unavailability of antibiogram facilities. Furthermore, a large number (76%) of practitioners stated empirical treatment based on their experience as the main criteria for antimicrobial choice in the absence of timely results from the laboratory. Although non-necessitated use of antimicrobials in clean surgical procedures has been claimed, surprisingly, the majority of pet practitioners (97%) reported their use to reduce the post-operative complications. The use of the highest priority, critically important antimicrobials (HPCIA) listed by the WHO for humans, particularly quinolones and third-generation cephalosporin, also has been reported for different infections. The treatment durations were nearly as per the recommended guidelines issued by the Danish Small Animal Veterinary Association (DSAVA) for different ailments. Analysis using chi-square tests exhibited a significant correlation between less experienced veterinarians (less than 5 years) and prescription of antimicrobials restricted for critically important infections in human medicine. However, there seems to be no association between the experience of the practitioner and the further studied parameters, namely, antimicrobial regimen prescription, weighing the animals before prescription, dose rate calculation, and antimicrobial selection and use after clean surgical operations. The findings suggest periodic awareness campaigns among practitioners regarding the implementation of the official guidelines, the need for systematic surveillance of AMR, awareness among pet owners about antimicrobial resistance, and the importance of rational use of antimicrobials on their pets.

Uso de antibióticos na medicina veterinária brasileira: situação e regulamentação

“…Além da indicação indevida, estudos relatam que a maioria dos médicos veterinários se queixam do não cumprimento correto da prescrição pelos tutores. A principal queixa se dá pelo interrupção do tratamento antes do recomendado, ou seja, quando os tutores notam a melhora do quadro clínico, interrompem o uso da medicação (DO CARMO et al, 2018;GRAKH et al, 2022).…”

Occurrence of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Resulting from the Selective Pressure of Antibiotics: A Comprehensive Analysis of ESBL K. pneumoniae and MRSP Isolated in a Dog with Rhinorrhea

“…Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major threat to human and animal health worldwide [ 1 , 2 ]. The indiscriminate use and overuse of antimicrobials are some of the most important causes underlying the emergence of increasingly resistant strains through selective pressure [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Empirical antibiotic therapy frequently uses broad-spectrum antimicrobials or combinations of antimicrobials, which may also be required in polymicrobial infections or life-threatening conditions [ 6 ].…”

“…Empirical antibiotic therapy frequently uses broad-spectrum antimicrobials or combinations of antimicrobials, which may also be required in polymicrobial infections or life-threatening conditions [ 6 ]. Indeed, 76% of veterinary clinicians support antimicrobial selection based on personal experience [ 4 ]. In addition to veterinary and human medicines sharing antibiotics, the transmission of resistant bacteria may occur due to the proximity between humans and companion animals [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Antibiotic Use in Veterinary

“…The studies by Grakh et al and Sani Ismaila et al evaluated the causes of the inappropriate use of antibiotics in small animal clinics in areas as disparate as India, Trinidad, and Jamaica [ 1 , 2 ]. They show how the indiscriminate usage and overuse of antimicrobials in pets or companion animals are underlying causes of antimicrobial resistance; the reasons are incomplete courses of antibiotics, inappropriate follow-ups, the improper care of sick animals, the self-prescription of antimicrobials by owners, unavailability of antibiogram facilities, and the statement of an empirical treatment based on their experience as the main criteria for antimicrobial choice in the absence of timely results from the laboratory or the lack of use of standard antimicrobial protocols, which could be due, in some cases, to the limited availability of resources.…”