EQUINE | CPD Article
use in equine surgery (Hardefeldt et al. 2018). In this
survey inappropriate dose, timing of administration
and duration of surgical prophylaxis was common
with respect to the “Protect Me” guidelines published
by BEVA. Inappropriate use of enrofloxacin for surgical
prophylaxis in the UK has also been reported.
2. Antibiotics in Equine Asthma
Approximately 50% of vets would prescribe antibiotics
to a non-pyrexic coughing adult horse in a clinical
scenario questionnaire carried out in the UK (Hughes
et al. 2013). Most horses with this presentation will be
suffering from equine asthma (previously known as
COPD, RAO, IAD) and antibiotics are not indicated.
Antibiotics are commonly used in chronic lower
respiratory tract disease of racehorses. Bacterial
infection is unlikely in most of these cases and if there
is a bacterial aetiology first-line choices are likely to
be effective. There is no justification for empirical
ceftiofur, cefquinome and enrofloxacin use in these
cases.
3. Antibiotics in Subclinical Rhodococcus equi
Pneumonia
Emergence of rifampicin and macrolide resistance
has been documented after widespread use of these
drugs in association with ultrasonographic screening
programmes. The vast majority of foals (approximately
90%) with subclinical disease with an ultrasonographic
abscess score (sum of diameter of all lesions > 1cm)
<10 cm recover without antibiotic treatment (Venner et
al. 2013). Importantly macrolides are classified in the
Watch group. The following guidelines on treatment for
R.equi infection are recommended.
(Giguere 2017)
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