Antibiotic Use in Diarrhoea

Gastrointestinal disease is a common reason for veterinary consultation although the vast majority of cases present only mild clinical signs. Even where the aetiology remains unknown, the prognosis in most cases is excellent. However, diarrhoea remains one of the most commonly-cited reasons for antimicrobial use in dogs and cats. Various studies have reported antibiotic prescription rates of 50-65% in dogs with acute diarrhoea with metronidazole the most frequently selected option. This talk will focus on the key drivers behind antibiotic-decision making, outline alternative therapeutic approaches and provide resources to educate all relevant stakeholders (colleagues and pet owners).