Evaluation of Antimicrobial usage in Companion Animals at a Tertiary Veterinary Teaching Hospital for Context – Specific interventions in Nigeria

Abstract This study investigated various qualitative and quantitative indices of antimicrobial use in companion animals at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH-A) and its annex (VTH- B) from 2019-2021. Antimicrobial administrations (AADs) for documented 694 animals was 5, 278 of which 98.8% (5217) and 1.2% (61) were in dogs and cats respectively. At the VTH- A, oxytetracycline (1185 times) was most administered in dogs and metronidazole (26 times) in cats. Similarly, at VTH- B, oxytetracycline was administered 895 times in dogs while amoxicillin was given 7 times in cats. The prescription diversity (PD) was estimated at 0.73 and 0.82 in A and B respectively. Quantity of AMs used was 10.1 Kg (A, 6.2 Kg and B, 3.9 Kg). Oxytetracycline administrations and quantity of metronidazole (P <0.0001) were higher than other AIs. Furthermore, 16.5% of AIs were classified as critically important antibiotics (CIA) with highest priority, while enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and azithromycin fell under the World Health Organisation (WHO) Watch group. The In-depth interview (IDI) indicated that the high frequency of oxytetracycline administrations was linked with clinicians’ preference for blood parasites treatment at the hospital. The quantity of metronidazole used was perceived to be higher due to clinician’s preference for treatment of acute gastroenteritis, its wider dose range, and frequency of administration (bi-daily). The study provides a baseline data on antimicrobial use indices in companion animals, for development stewardship and communication training, and policy modifications to enhance antimicrobial therapy optimization in tertiary veterinary hospital care in Nigeria.