Antibiotic Stewardship in Companion Animal Medicine

Responsible antibiotic use in veterinary practice for companion animals is essential for both animal welfare and the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Key Facts

Companion animal medicine uses many of the same antibiotic classes as human medicine, making stewardship critical to resistance management
The WHO lists several veterinary antibiotics used in pets as critically important for human medicine, including fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins
Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in companion animals includes treating viral infections, using broad-spectrum drugs when narrow-spectrum would suffice, and inadequate dosing duration
Culture and sensitivity testing before antibiotic selection improves both treatment outcomes and stewardship, but remains underused in practice
The human-animal bond creates prescribing pressure — owners expect antibiotics and vets sometimes prescribe to avoid conflict
Veterinary antibiotic stewardship programs modeled on human medicine are being developed and show promise in early evaluations

Welfare Considerations

Antibiotic stewardship in companion animal medicine requires balancing individual animal welfare with the collective good of preserving antibiotic effectiveness. Treating a sick pet effectively requires appropriate antibiotic use; preserving life-saving medicines for future patients requires restraint. This is not a trade-off but a shared responsibility — appropriate diagnosis, targeted treatment, and owner education all serve both individual and population welfare simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Support your vet in taking samples for culture and sensitivity testing before prescribing antibiotics where appropriate
Ask your vet to explain why a specific antibiotic was chosen and whether a narrower-spectrum option would be effective
Complete all prescribed antibiotic courses rather than stopping early when your pet appears better
Support veterinary professional associations developing and implementing antibiotic stewardship guidelines