The WHO has classified the increasing pressure from multidrug-resistant pathogens (MDR) as one of the most urgent threats to modern medicine. Therefore, prudent handling of these critical drugs is essential, and prophylactic administrations should be avoided whenever possible. However, an initial analysis of ISABV data from Switzerland shows that perioperative prophylactic antibiotic administration (PPA) is one of the main indications for prescription in dogs and cats. Although the use of PPA is not routinely recommended in most surgical indications in the latest Antibiotic Scout, this recommendation is not yet being sufficiently implemented. An important reason for this is the fact that currently, both studies scientifically quantifying the protective effect and data on possible side effects are completely lacking. The aim of this study is therefore to examine whether the use of PPA in two common surgical indications (castrations and gastrointestinal procedures) can reduce the infection risk. In addition, the study will assess how PPA affects the development of the intestinal microbiome- and resistome.
Ultimately, the study's findings can help align veterinary practices with national guidelines and regulations aimed at controlling antibiotic resistance. It can also serve as a model for promoting responsible antibiotic use in veterinary medicine, which in turn contributes to the global effort to combat antibiotic resistance and ensure the long-term health and well-being of both animals and humans.
