‘Knowledge, attitudes and practices’ survey of Austrian veterinarians' antibiotic use in clinical practice

Title (eng)
‘Knowledge, attitudes and practices’ survey of Austrian veterinarians' antibiotic use in clinical practice
Author
Clair L. Firth
Author
Patricia Mayer
Author
Annemarie Käsbohrer
Author
Tanja Tripolt
Author
Klemens Fuchs
Abstract (eng)
Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health issue, with antimicrobial use (AMU) in veterinary medicine playing a relevant role in its emergence. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Austrian veterinarians regarding AMU and AMR. Methods An online survey was conducted in 2022. Veterinary respondents were grouped according to their type of practice (companion animals, i.e., pets and horses; farm; mixed practice). Results Knowledge gaps were identified, particularly among companion animal veterinarians, with only 31% correctly recognising cefovecin as a critically important antimicrobial and 16% incorrectly stating it was a first-choice drug. However, treating groups of animals with orally administered antibiotics was correctly classed as having the highest influence on AMR by 75% of 165 respondents. With respect to deciding to use antibiotics, all practitioners considered a clinical examination to be important or very important, while cost considerations and owner expectations were classed by companion animal practitioners as being significantly less important than among farm and mixed practitioners. Of all 180 veterinarians, 47% reported using antimicrobial susceptibility testing always or regularly (approximately 20%‒50% of antibiotic treatments). Limitations The small sample size may have introduced confirmation bias, as practitioners with a particular interest in AMU and AMR may have been more likely to respond to the survey. Conclusion The findings confirm the need for additional training to improve prudent AMU and awareness of antimicrobial stewardship in clinical practice across all veterinary sectors in Austria. Future efforts should prioritise the knowledge gaps among companion animal practitioners, in particular.
Remark (eng)
Online Version of Record before inclusion in an issue
Type (eng)
journal article
Language
[eng]
Persistent identifier
https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:5076
DOI
10.1002/vetr.6121
Is in series
Title (eng)
Veterinary Record
ISSN
0042-4900
Issued
2025
Number of pages
12
Publication
Wiley
Version type (eng)
version of record (published version)
Date issued
2025
Access rights (eng)
open access
License
CC BY-NC 4.0 International
Rights statement (eng)
© 2025 The Author(s).