A survey of veterinarians suggests variability in knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding antifungal use and...

To assess veterinarians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antifungal use and stewardship.

A survey was developed using an iterative approach with feedback from experts in antifungal therapy and pilot testing among target audiences. The survey was administered in June of 2025 via an online platform to primary care practitioners, dermatologists, and internists and was closed when at least 200 veterinarians had responded. Respondents' scores were calculated for fungal infections and antifungal knowledge, antifungal resistance and stewardship concerns, and comfort with diagnosing fungal infections and prescribing antifungals. Median scores were compared between primary care veterinarians and specialists.

210 veterinarians (100 primary care practitioners, 49 dermatologists, 61 internists) completed the survey. Significant differences were identified in the median knowledge, concern, and comfort scores, with specialists having higher median scores for all scales. Dermatologists reported significantly higher median weekly topical and systemic antifungal prescribing than primary care veterinarians and internists (20 vs 7.5 vs 0 topical prescriptions/wk, respectively; 9 vs 0 vs 0.5 systemic prescriptions/wk, respectively). Always performing in-house cytology for suspected yeast dermatitis was reported by 49 of 49 dermatologists (100%), 53 of 100 primary care veterinarians (53%), and 19 of 61 internists (31.3%). Always performing in-house cytology for suspected yeast otitis externa was reported by 49 of 49 dermatologists (100%), 39 of 100 primary care veterinarians (39%), and 57 of 61 internists (92.8%).

Variability in fungal infection and antifungal knowledge, diagnostic practices, and antifungal prescribing across veterinarians highlights the need for targeted antifungal stewardship education.

This study provides foundational information for developing veterinary antifungal stewardship initiatives.