Mary Allen
Sweden and Norway are at the top when it comes to using the least antibiotics for dogs in animal hospitals in Europe. In Sweden, only half as many antibiotics are used as in other European countries. It shows a new study by AniCura.
The study included just over 3,200 dogs in seven countries and shows a downward trend in the use of antibiotics. The use of antibiotics was mapped for 3,231 dogs that visited animal hospitals in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. In total, 13 percent of the dogs in the study were prescribed antibiotics. Which is slightly less than in 2016. The most common reason for prescribing antibiotics was to prevent infections during surgery. Compared with last year’s survey, half of the animal hospitals in Europe have reduced the use of antibiotics.
– It is gratifying that our work to improve hygiene and reduce the use of antibiotics now gives measurable results around Europe. This is what Ulrika Gronlund, quality manager at AniCura, says and continues:
Sweden uses half as many antibiotics
– In Sweden, we see that veterinarians are still careful with antibiotics and use only half as much antibiotics as in other European countries.
In AniCura’s study, Norway and Sweden were the countries where veterinarians used the least antibiotics. Although the animal hospitals in Denmark and Germany as well as Austria and Switzerland reduced their antibiotic use during the year.
– There do not seem to be any direct medical reasons why the prescribing of antibiotics differs between countries. But is more about habits and routines. Overall, we can get better at only using antibiotics when they are really needed, says Ulrika Grönlund.
The study on antibiotics in European veterinary care was conducted in October within the framework of AniCura’s quality program (QualiCura). It is part of AniCura’s work to map, follow up and work for wiser use of antibiotics for small animals.