Protected Antimicrobial Use in Nineteen Equine Veterinary Practices in the UK

Protected Antimicrobial Use in Nineteen Equine Veterinary Practices in the UK | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Equine Veterinary Education This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 17 December 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Protected Antimicrobial Use in Nineteen Equine Veterinary Practices in the UK Authors : Charlotte Sinclair , Imogen Schofield , H Stone , and Tim Mair 0000-0002-9744-9909 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176598009.93261052/v1 220 views 154 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Background : Antimicrobials essential for human health must be used judiciously. Objectives: Quantify current use and indications for critically important antibiotics (“protected antibiotics”) in general equine practice. Study Design: Prospective descriptive. Methods: Systemic use of 3 rd generation cephalosporins (ceftiofur), fluroquinolones (enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin), macrolides (clarithromycin), ansamycins (rifampin) and polymyxins (polymyxin B) (classified as “protected antibiotics”) were prospectively recorded in 19 equine practices over a six-month period (April - September 2023). Results: Protected antibiotics were prescribed to 200 horses with 10 horses prescribed two protected antibiotics concurrently. These included ceftiofur (48.2%), enrofloxacin (34.3%%), marbofloxacin (7.1%), polymyxin B (6.2%), rifampin (2.8%) and clarithromycin (1.4%). The mean number of protected antibiotics prescribed per practice was 10.5 (SD 12.4, range 0-41). The commonest clinical indications were respiratory disease (18.0%), foal septic diseases (16.5%), gastrointestinal diseases (15.0%), complicated wounds (13.5%), “dummy”/premature foals (7.5%) and cellulitis/lymphangitis (6.5%). Of 190 horses prescribed protected antibiotics, 76 (40.0%) were foals (less than 12 months of age). Horse age (foal or adult) was associated with specific antibiotic use (p < 0.001), with 73.7% of ceftiofur prescriptions for foals, and 97.0% and 100% of enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin prescriptions respectively for adults. Horses less than one year of age were less likely to have culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) compared to adults (P < 0.001). Commonest justifications for protected antibiotic use were lack of alternative preparations suitable for foals (27.5%), AST results (24.9%) and failure to respond to previous antibiotic treatment (17.1%). Main Limitations: Convenience sampling with small number of cases. Aminoglycoside use not evaluated. Conclusions: Respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, complicated wounds and foal infections were the commonest reasons for protected antibiotic use. Lack of alternative drugs (for foals) and C&S results or failed previous treatments were commonest justifications. Supplementary Material File (protected_antibiotic_use_in_19_equine_practices._final_6.12.25_with clinical relevance.docx) Download 532.71 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 17 December 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Equine Veterinary Education Keywords antibiotics cephalosporins critically important antibiotics fluoroquinolones Authors Affiliations Charlotte Sinclair CVS Group plc View all articles by this author Imogen Schofield CVS Group plc View all articles by this author H Stone CVS Group plc View all articles by this author Tim Mair 0000-0002-9744-9909 [email protected] CVS Group plc View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 220 views 154 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Charlotte Sinclair, Imogen Schofield, H Stone, et al. Protected Antimicrobial Use in Nineteen Equine Veterinary Practices in the UK. Authorea . 17 December 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176598009.93261052/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. 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