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. 2025 Jun;103(6):307-313.
doi: 10.1111/avj.13428. Epub 2025 Feb 25.

Antimicrobial use and prescribing practices by equine veterinarians in Australia: Insights into reproduction, dentistry, compounding and use for nonbactericidal effects

L Y Hardefeldt  1 , K Thomas  2 , L Begg  3
Affiliations

Antimicrobial use and prescribing practices by equine veterinarians in Australia: Insights into reproduction, dentistry, compounding and use for nonbactericidal effects

L Y Hardefeldt et al. Aust Vet J. 2025 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a problem for equine practitioners in Australia, but antimicrobial use in practice has been largely understudied. We aimed to evaluate equine veterinarians' intentions of prescribing antimicrobials in areas where we perceived there to be wide ranges of practice - dentistry, reproduction and for nonbactericidal effects.

Method: An online cross-sectional survey of veterinarians working in equine practice was conducted over 4 months in 2023 and 2024. Antimicrobial use, including compounding practices, for reproductive and dental disorders, and nonbactericidal effects were investigated.

Results: Responses were received from 134 equine practitioners in Australia. Most respondents reported using common equine antimicrobials (trimethoprim sulphonamide (TMS), penicillin and gentamicin). Low- and medium-importance-rated antimicrobials predominated for dental and reproductive disorders although there were some reported uses of high-importance agents, including some not registered for use in horses. Prescribing compounded antimicrobials was common (70% of respondents). Antimicrobials were also reported to be used for contracted tendons, matrix metalloprotease inhibition, anti-inflammatory and antiendotoxic and other nonbacteriocidal effects.

Conclusion: Although antimicrobial prescribing patterns varied, most respondents reported using common equine antimicrobials. Antimicrobial guidelines may assist in aligning practice and reducing inappropriate antimicrobial use in horses.

Keywords: antibiotic; antimicrobial resistance; compounding; horse.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Frequency of use of antimicrobial, by ASTAG importance rating, for reproduction cases by equine veterinarians in Australia. Only antimicrobials that were indicated by more than 5% of respondents are shown. *TMS, trimethoprim sulphonamide.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Frequency of use of antimicrobials for reproductive disorders by equine veterinarians in Australia. Only antimicrobials that were indicated by more than 5% of respondents are shown. *TMS, trimethoprim sulphonamide.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Frequency of use of antimicrobial, by ASTAG importance rating, for dental cases by equine veterinarians in Australia. *TMS, trimethoprim sulphonamide.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Frequency of use of antimicrobials for dental disorders by equine veterinarians in Australia. Only antimicrobials that were indicated by more than 5% of respondents are shown. *TMS, trimethoprim sulphonamide; EOTRH, equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Frequency of use of antimicrobials for nonbactericidal effects perties by equine veterinarians in Australia. MMP, matrix metalloproteinase.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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