EQUINE | CPD Article
Benzylpenicillin
Cefalexin or cefazolin
Chloramphenicol
Clindamycin
Cloxacillin
Doxycycline
Gentamicin or amikacin
Metronidazole
Nitrofurantoin
Phenoxymethylpenicillin
Procaine benzylpenicillin
Spectinomycin
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim A number of similar stratifications for appropriate
antibiotic use in veterinary species have been
published by veterinary organisations including
SAEVA and readers are directed again to the SAEVA
Antibiotic Use Policy which closely resembles these
WHO guidelines. Most importantly enrofloxacin,
ceftiofur (3rd generation cephalosporin), cefquinome
(4th generation cephalosporin) and the macrolides
(erythromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin)
should NOT be used for first-line empirical treatment.
Instead they should only be used on an individual case
basis as indicated by culture and sensitivity results and
only if first-line antibiotics are not effective or cannot
be used for some other reason.
Watch 3. Hand Hygiene
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are an
important problem in veterinary hospitals and
reduction in such cases can reduce antibiotic use in
a hospital. The WHO “My Five Moments of Hand
Hygiene” approach (detailed in following table) defines
the five moments when healthcare workers should
perform hand hygiene in order to reduce transmission
of pathogenic organisms to patients and themselves.
An example of such an organism would be methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) – horses are
known to carry MRSA and equine veterinary surgeons
have a higher rate of carriage of MRSA than the general
human population.
Anti-pseudomonal penicillins with beta-lactamase
inhibitor e.g. piperacillin and tazobactam
Carabapenems and penems e.g. imipenem
Cephalosporins, third generation e.g. ceftriaxone
Glycopeptides e.g. vancomycin
Macrolides
e.g.
erythromycin,
azithromycin,
clarithromycin
Quinolones and Fluoroquinolones e.g. ciprofloxacin
Reserve
Aztreonam
Cephalosporins, fourth generation e.g. cefepime
Cephalosporins, fifth generation e.g. ceftaroline
Daptomycin
Fosfomycin (IV)
Oxazolidinones
Polymixins e.g. colistin, polymyxin B
Tigecycline
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• Equine Health Update •