Research and collaborations highlight industry need for evidence-based antimicrobial stewardship guidelines
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a major threat to both human and animal health. Recognizing the global urgency of this issue, the UN General Assembly will hold a high-level meeting on AMR during its 79th session in New York later this month to address the significant risks AMR poses to health, food security, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Mars Veterinary Health acknowledges the essential role of veterinary practitioners in One Health and is dedicated to the responsible use of antibiotics to reduce resistance and ensure these vital medicines remain effective when needed.
As part of an ongoing commitment to antimicrobial stewardship (AS), Mars Veterinary Health, including Banfield Pet Hospital, the University of Guelph, and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine collaborated on a new U.S. study published in PLOS ONE that examines antimicrobial use practices in canine and feline patients with co-morbidities undergoing dental procedures.
The new study is the broadest of its kind to date and leveraged data from 1,000+ Banfield locations across the U.S., including more than 680,000 general anesthesia dental procedures for nearly 600,000 dogs and 90,000 cats. It builds on prior research from Mars Veterinary Health, Banfield, the University of Guelph, and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine on the use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary dentistry. Human guidelines typically limit antimicrobial use to a small subset of patients with co-morbidities less commonly seen in companion animal practice and advocate for short treatment durations. This study highlights the necessity for further research and collaboration to create and refine evidence-based guidelines for responsible antimicrobial use in veterinary dentistry.
Key findings include:
- Most patients with co-morbidities did not receive antimicrobials, which is an encouraging finding as it relates to AS.
- Cefpodoxime, clindamycin, and amoxicillin-clavulanate were the most frequently used antimicrobials in dogs, while cefovecin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and clindamycin were the most frequently used in cats.
- If antibiotics were prescribed, intravenous peri-operative administration was uncommon in both dogs and cats.
- Antibiotic usage increased with increasing numbers of co-morbid conditions and with increasing patient age.
- The profession would benefit from clear and evidence-based antimicrobial prescribing guidelines and administration in veterinary oral health procedures, especially for patients at potentially higher risk.
Mars Veterinary Health is dedicated to using antimicrobials judiciously to ensure these medications remain effective when needed and has also recently evaluated antimicrobial purchasing practices across 2,000+ of its clinics in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S., including Banfield, BluePearl, Linnaeus, and VCA.
“We’re examining learnings from these studies collectively to determine how we can optimize antibiotic usage throughout our global network of clinics,” said JoAnn Morrison, DVM, Director of Global Veterinary Science and Health Outcomes, Mars Veterinary Health. “More broadly, the findings underscore the necessity for guidelines on responsible antibiotic use in veterinary dentistry, which could help reduce environmental impacts and contribute to more sustainable veterinary care globally.”
These studies will be discussed in more detail at the 2024 Veterinary Dental Forum (VDF) in Palm Springs, California on Thursday, September 26 in sessions with Mars Veterinary Health’s Dr. JoAnn Morrison and Dr. Maria Soltero-Rivera from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. View the full VDF program schedule for more details on these sessions.
- 3:50-4:40pm: Antimicrobial Utilization in Veterinary Dentistry: Insights from a Comprehensive Analysis of Primary Care Dental Procedures in Dogs and Cats
- 4:50-5:40pm: Antibiotic Usage Panel
Additionally, Mars Veterinary Health funded and participated in the inaugural 2023 Small Animal Antimicrobial Stewardship Workshop for US Veterinary Schools. The two-day workshop brought together representatives from 23 US veterinary schools, corporations, and government agencies to discuss AS program implementation, research needs, and education. A discussion summary was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) noting that the workshop identified:
- A lack of resources and training as major barriers and proposed creating standards and a road map for AS programs.
- Research priorities include assessing antimicrobial treatment effects and establishing necessary treatment durations.
- Recommendations including integrated educational practices to unify AS messaging.
- Working groups to develop strategies, with plans to meet biennially to continue these efforts.
Sharing these initiatives and study findings with the veterinary industry is vital for raising awareness, fostering collaboration, and establishing and driving the adoption of practices in AS. Mars Veterinary Health will maintain active involvement and transparent information exchange as part of its commitment to AS and infection prevention and control.
