Prescription patterns of antimicrobials in veterinary practices in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyse antimicrobial prescriptions by veterinarians and to evaluate the appropriateness of use compared with prudent use guidelines. PRACTICES AND METHODS: Computerized records of prescriptions and treatments from eight mixed veterinary practices were analysed over a period of 2 years. A total of 61 212 antimicrobial treatments were recorded. Treatments were classified according to animal species treated, indication for treatment, route of administration and antimicrobial class used. For each treatment and antimicrobial substance, the prescribed dose was calculated. Dosage, antimicrobial classes and combinations of different classes used for different indications were compared with published recommendations. RESULTS: From the total amount of 1590 kg of active antimicrobial substance, sulphonamides (594 kg), tetracyclines (335 kg), and penicillins and cephalosporins (290 kg) were the classes of which the largest quantity was prescribed. Penicillins and cephalosporins were most frequently prescribed (37% of treatments), followed by aminoglycosides (18%), tetracyclines (14%) and sulphonamides (11%). Sixty-one per cent of the amount of antimicrobials prescribed was used for the treatment of groups of animals via feed or water. Antimicrobial classes classified as highest priority for human medicine by an international group of experts were used in 9% of the prescriptions. The dosage corresponded to the manufacturer's recommendation in 45% of the analysed prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: Most prescriptions corresponded well to guidelines on prudent use of antimicrobials. Nevertheless, the large variation of prescriptions among different veterinarians indicates that the usage of critical antimicrobial substances and the amount of antimicrobials used for group medication without a specific indication could be further reduced.

Anaesthesia in horses using halothane and intravenous ketamine-guaiphenesin: a clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to define and evaluate a combined inhalation-intravenous anaesthetic protocol for use in equine anaesthesia. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: Twenty-eight horses (body mass 522 ± 82; 330-700 kg [mean ± SD; range]) with a mean age of 6 ± 4 years (range: 2-18 years) presented to the university hospital for various surgical procedures requiring general anaesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. Anaesthesia was maintained in 14 horses with halothane alone (H group). The mean end-tidal halothane concentration was 1.24%. In the second group (n = 14) anaesthesia was maintained with both halothane (end-tidal concentration 0.61%) and a continuous infusion of a ketamine-guaiphenesin mixture (HKG group). The two techniques were compared in terms of qualitative differences and cardiopulmonary effects. RESULTS: The stability of anaesthesia was significantly greater in group HKG and the need for dobutamine to maintain blood pressure was significantly less. Recovery times and quality were acceptable in all cases. There were no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The infusion of ketamine and guaiphenesin in horses receiving low inspired concentrations of halothane provides suitable surgical anaesthesia and lowers the risk of hypotension. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The anaesthetic technique described in this study is a useful and practical alternative to inhalation anaesthesia using halothane alone.