[Outcome of a survey on antibiotic prescribing in veterinary medicine]

As part of the national strategy on antibiotic resistance (StAR), a therapy guide for the prudent prescription of antimicrobial agents in animals was developed. To facilitate its implementation in the veterinary practice, the therapy recommendations contained therein have been translated to the user-friendly decision support AntibioticScout.ch. In this context, we conducted a non-representative survey to assess the level of awareness as well as usage of this guide and the AntibioticScout.ch decision support. Based on case studies with typical diseases in dogs, cats and cattle, it was shown that the veterinarians participating in the survey strive to handle antibiotics responsibly and to prescribe them with restraint. Nevertheless, the survey points to possible improvements in the antibiotic therapy. In particular, the StAR guidelines or AntibioticScout.ch can be useful to the practicing veterinarians for taking into account all relevant decision criteria in the optimal selection of a suitable antimicrobial agent.