Study will examine antibiotic prescribing across the country

The Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Initiative at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking small animal general or referral practices across the country for a study to better understand antibiotic prescribing in cats and dogs.

The study is a point-prevalence survey, which involves collecting information from several locations for one point in time. Researchers will compile a single day of data from many clinics to establish a snapshot of national antibiotic use in small animal veterinary practice.

To do this, a trained facility coordinator at each participating facility will collect retrospective data at their clinic using existing health records. Data from all study sites will be compiled to summarize patient characteristics and presenting complaints, antibiotic prescribing rates, rates of diagnostic testing and more.

“By understanding how antibiotics are selected and used in dogs and cats, we can better understand the potential influence of antibiotic use on antibiotic resistance in practices and identify ways to support your region’s veterinarians in their stewardship of antibiotics,” according to ARSI.