Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant and increasing challenge in equine veterinary practice.
• The availability of new antimicrobial drugs for horses is limited, emphasizing the need for responsible use of existing ones.
• While antimicrobials are vital for treating equine infections, adverse effects such as diarrhea, immune-mediated diseases, and nephrotoxicity are common complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide comprehensive guidelines for diagnosing and treating infectious diseases in horses.
• To emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and responsible prescribing in equine practice.
• To educate veterinarians on potential adverse effects of antimicrobial therapy and strategies for early detection and management.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on equine infectious diseases and antimicrobial therapy.
• Synthesis of diagnostic approaches for common equine infections.
• Development of evidence-based therapeutic guidelines for antimicrobial use in horses.

Main Results:

• Identification of key features of prevalent equine infectious diseases.
• Outline of recommended diagnostic tests for accurate disease identification.
• Provision of specific therapeutic guidelines for antimicrobial selection and administration.

Conclusions:

• Effective antimicrobial stewardship is essential to combat resistance and preserve drug efficacy in horses.
• Understanding and anticipating potential adverse effects of antimicrobials is critical for safe and successful treatment.
• These guidelines offer a framework for Australian equine veterinarians to improve infectious disease management and antimicrobial prescribing practices.