Antimicrobial use differs between general practice and referral settings in United Kingdom companion animals: a 12-month prospective study.

Objective: To characterize the use of antimicrobials and frequency of microbial identification testing in cases seen by companion animal general practitioners and a single United Kingdom (UK) internal medicine referral service.

Methods: This was a prospective, observational study of animals referred to a single UK-based internal medicine referral service over a 12-month period. Information recorded at the time of presentation included presenting complaint, current medications, and whether a microbial identification test had been performed. At discharge, the same information was recorded again alongside the final diagnosis.

Results: 516 dogs and cats were enrolled, and 22.9% of cases were receiving antimicrobials at the time of presentation compared to 22.0% of cases at the time of discharge. Cases receiving antimicrobials at admittance were 2.7 (95% CI, 1.7 to 4.3) times more likely to be discharged on antimicrobials. Postreferral respiratory and urinary cases were 7.3 times more likely (OR, 7.3; 95% CI, 3.6 to 15.0) and 4.2 times more likely (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.9 to 9.4), respectively, to be discharged on antimicrobials. Bacterial culture was more commonly performed within the referral center (72.1%) than prior to referral (16.9%).

Conclusions: Bacterial culture is performed more frequently by referral internal medicine clinicians than UK general practitioners. There are differences in the distribution of cases prescribed antimicrobials between these 2 groups of veterinarians.

Clinical relevance: This study provides information on antimicrobial prescribing patterns in companion animals across both general practice and referral settings in the UK. It highlights areas for antimicrobial stewardship improvement as well as identifies factors associated with antimicrobial prescription.