[Development of a tool for responsible use of veterinary antibacterial drugs in a One Health context]

This review is justified by promoting better knowledge of the antibacterials used in veterinary medicine among all health professionals. For this purpose, a quick reference tool has been developed for the prudent and responsible use of authorized antibacterial agents in animals, according to their categorization to reserve those critical in human medicine, to face the growing problem of the growth of resistant or multi-resistant bacteria.

Information was collected and organized for each of the active ingredients authorized and marketed in Spain and its use in different animal species in a panel table that includes their most relevant characteristics along with categorization for prudent and responsible use in animals, recommended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The table lists a total of 68 active substances in 761 specialties used in 12 animal species. In dogs and cats, 30 are available and 54 in production animals. The main classes with the largest number of specialties are beta-lactams (penicillins and cephalosporins), aminoglycosides, macrolides and fluoroquinolones. Cephalosporins of the 3rd and 4th generation and fluoroquinolones should not be used as a first-line treatment.

This table aims to contribute to the improvement of an adequate and prudent clinical prescription and promote the learning and teaching of antibacterial and the fight against bacterial resistance in a One Health context interrelating human, animal and environmental health. The table can be adapted to antibacterial drugs available in other countries.