46TH
ANNUAL
CONGRESS
OF
THE
SAEVA
SKUKUZA
16-‐20
FEBRUARY
2014
113
Antibiotic use in horses
Cynthia Donnellan
BVSc (hons) Mmedvet (eq med)
Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital, Newlands
With the increase in antibiotic resistance and concerns over antimicrobials losing
there effectiveness, the importance of using antimicrobials judiciously and effectively
becomes critical.
Effective use of antimicrobials includes 1) using antimicrobials only when there is
clinical evidence of bacterial infections, 2) determining the bacteria involved by
submitting samples for culture and antibiogram or where it is not possible to take
samples for culture, and while awaiting culture results assessing the most likely
bacteria involved based on organ system involved and syndrome/clinical
presentation, 3) choosing an antimicrobial to which the bacteria is sensitive and
which will reach therapeutic concentrations at the site of infection and the
microenvironmnent at the site will support the activity of the drug, 4) ensuring that
the appropriate dose, dosage interval, administration route and duration of therapy
is used 5) take into consideration the adverse affects this drug could have on the
patient, and assess the risks of using the drug in this patient, 6) where possible use
one antimicrobial drug and avoid using drugs which are critically important for
human health, specifically 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinilones and
macrolides.
The reliance on systemic antimicrobials can be reduce by; reducing the use of
prophylactic antibiotic treatment, considering local use of antimicrobials, and
considering other aspects of wound care and infection control. (i.e post operative
belly bandage).
Virtually all antibiotics used in horses have been associated with antimicrobial
associated diarrhea. In general, administering the drug at the same time as feed
reduces the absorption of antimicrobials from the gastrointestinal tract.
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