The usage of veterinary antibacterial drugs for mastitis in cattle in Norway and Sweden during 1990-1997.

The prescribing patterns and annual incidence of use of antibacterial drugs for the treatment of mastitis in cattle in Norway and Sweden during the period 1990-1997 were estimated from drug wholesaler statistics. Although the drugs included in this study are also used in other species and/or other indications, mastitis in cattle is by far the most-common indication for their use. We used these sales figures to evaluate trends in the use of antibacterial drugs and changes in the incidence of treatment in bovine mastitis in Norway and Sweden. To facilitate comparisons (correcting for differences in activity and dosage) between the relative proportions of antibacterial drugs used in bovine mastitis, we introduced defined daily dose cow (DDDcow) as unit of measurement. Tentative DDDcow for the various injectable drugs were derived from doses recommended in Norway and Sweden. For intramammary drugs administered in the form of single-dose applicators, one applicator was defined as the DDDcow. The prescribing patterns of antibacterial drugs in bovine mastitis in Norway and Sweden during the study period seemed to be influenced by treatment policies, substances and formulations approved and treatment cost; length of the withdrawal period also seemed to play a role.     

Usage of veterinary therapeutic antimicrobials in Denmark, Norway and Sweden following termination of antimicrobial growth promoter use

Antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) were phased out in Denmark, Norway and Sweden in 1998-1999, 1995 and 1986, respectively. The annual usage of therapeutic antimicrobials in animals in Denmark almost doubled during the period when AGPs were phased out (1988-1999) and in the subsequent 2 years. The increase was mainly due to an increased consumption of therapeutic antimicrobials in weaning pigs. The annual increase in usage of therapeutic antimicrobials and the annual increase in numbers of slaughter-swine produced in Denmark correlates well, except for 1999 when AGP use was discontinued in weaning pigs, and the following year. In Norway, the usage of therapeutic antimicrobials in animals decreased by 39% from 1995 to 2000. During 2001-2003 the annual usage remained at the 2000-level. The annual numbers of slaughter-swine produced in Norway increased gradually by 10% after the AGP discontinuation (from 1995 to 2003). In Sweden, the usage of therapeutic antimicrobials in animals increased by 21% the first 2 years subsequent to the AGP ban (1986-1988), remained then constant until 1994; from 1994 to 2003 this usage declined by 47%. The initial increase was caused by increased use in broilers and in weaning piglets. The amounts used in animals in Sweden in 2003 were half of the amounts used in 1994. The annual numbers of slaughter-swine produced in Sweden declined gradually by 16% in the study period, although fluctuating. In Denmark, Norway and Sweden the number of dairy cattle and beef cattle declined only slightly in the various study periods while numbers of broilers produced increased notably, especially in Norway and Sweden. Following the termination of AGPs the total usage of antimicrobials (AGPs and therapeutic antimicrobials) in animals in Denmark declined 36% (from 1996 to 2003): in Norway this figure was 45% (from 1995 to 2003). In Sweden, the total usage of antimicrobials in animals in 2003 amounted to only one third of the amounts used in 1984 (decreased from 51 to 16 tonnes). Termination of AGPs was only a temporary risk factor for increased usage of therapeutic antimicrobials in food-animals in Sweden and Denmark; however, an exception might be usage in weaning piglets in Denmark. Furthermore, the discontinuation of AGP use has decreased the overall annual usage of antimicrobials in animals in Denmark, Norway and Sweden considerably.     

Retrospective Study: Trends in plasma transfusion at a veterinary teaching hospital: 308 patients (1996–1998 and 2006–2008)

Objectives – To describe changes in fresh frozen plasma (FFP) utilization over a 10‐year period at a veterinary teaching hospital. To evaluate the effect of FFP administration on specific laboratory parameters. Design – Retrospective observational study. Setting – University teaching hospital. Animals– Two hundred and eighty‐three dogs and 25 cats. Interventions – A hospital database search was performed for all animals receiving FFP during the study periods. Measurements and Main Results – Medical records of patients receiving plasma transfusions from 2006 to 2008 and from 1996 to 1998 were reviewed. Data collected included indications for transfusion, transfused volume, concurrent therapies, clinicopathologic data pre‐ and post‐transfusion, transfusion reactions, days of hospitalization, and outcome. FFP was administered to 112 dogs and 23 cats from 2006 to 2008 and to 171 dogs and 2 cats from 1996 to 1998. Significantly fewer patients received FFP for the treatment of hypoalbuminemia (2006–2008: 15% versus 1996–1998: 53%; P<0.001) or pancreatitis (2006–2008: 2% versus 1996–1998: 13%; P=0.001) and significantly more patients received FFP for coagulopathy (2006–2008: 80% versus 1996–1998: 31%; P<0.001) in the 2006–2008 group compared with the 1996–1998 group. For all patients receiving FFP, there was no difference in mean serum albumin concentration pre‐ and post‐transfusion. Median prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly decreased post FFP administration. No association was found between the volume of plasma administered and outcome. Conclusions – FFP utilization has changed significantly over a 10‐year period. FFP was used most commonly in 2006–2008 for the correction of coagulopathy. FFP administration was associated with significant reduction in prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time but did not significantly alter albumin concentration when administered at median doses of 15–18 mL/kg.     

Reported adverse reactions of veterinary drugs and vaccines in 2005

We received 105 reports of suspected adverse events (SARs) following the use of veterinary drugs for the year 2005. This corresponds to a 35% increase compared to 2004. Practicing veterinarians sent most of these declarations. 73% of these concerned drugs used on companion animals. Antiparasitic drugs approved for topical use were the most frequently represented group with 48%, followed by drugs used to treat gastrointestinal disorders (11%) and drugs used off-label (14%; other target species or other indication). For the first time 2 declarations concerning the application of permethrin containing spot-on preparations used by mistake on cats were received. An overview of 20 declarations about adverse reactions following application of different vaccines is also presented with emphasis on the problem of fibrosarcoma in cats. We are pleased by the growing interest shown by practicing veterinarians for the vigilance system and hope to further develop this collaboration in the future.     

What has happened in norway after the ban of avoparcin? Consumption of antimicrobials by poultry

When avoparcin was prohibited for use as feed additive in poultry in Norway on 31 May 1995, an increased incidence of Clostridium perfringens-associated necrotic enteritis (NE) and an increase in the use of antibacterial (AB) drug therapy in meat-type poultry was expected. The consumption of AB drugs for use against NE in poultry in the period 1990-2001 was investigated by use of sales statistics at the drug-wholesaler level. Defined daily dose (DDD) per kg live weight poultry was the unit of measurement for drug use (to correct for differences in the dosages). Sales figures of the AB drugs were converted to number of DDDpoultry sold for the numbers of broilers at risk (broilers were 97% of the slaughter poultry). Estimated annual percentages of the broilers treated against NE increased abruptly after the avoparcin ban--but in 1996, this figure declined to the same level as before the ban and has remained at that low level since then. In November 1995, narasin was approved temporarily as an ionophore feed additive (IFA) in broilers. The usage patterns of IFAs in broilers were measured as the weight of feed to which an IFA was added per broiler chicken produced. In 1996-2001, the IFAs used in broilers were predominantly narasin. We note that the temporary increase in NE after the avoparcin ban coincide with the period before narasin became available. The increase in the consumption of AB drugs for the treatment of NE in poultry following the avoparcin ban has been negligible.     

Efficacy and safety of selamectin against Sarcoptes scabiei on dogs and Otodectes cynotis on dogs and cats presented as veterinary patients

A series of randomized, controlled and masked field studies was conducted in veterinary patients to evaluate the efficacy of selamectin, a novel avermectin, in the treatment of naturally occurring Sarcoptes scabiei infestations on dogs and Otodectes cynotis infestations on dogs and cats. A total of 342 dogs and 237 cats participated in these studies, which were conducted at 40 veterinary practices in the USA and Europe. Animals were randomly assigned to treatment with selamectin or a positive-control product (existing approved products). Selamectin was administered as a unit dose providing a minimum of 6mgkg(-1) (range: 6-12mgkg(-1)) in a topical preparation applied to the skin in a single spot on day 0 (O. cynotis in cats, n=144), or on days 0 and 30 (O. cynotis and S. scabiei in dogs, n=83 and n=122, respectively). The presence of parasites was assessed before treatment and at 30 days (for all studies) and 60 days (for O. cynotis and S. scabiei dog studies) after first treatment. The animals were also evaluated clinically at each assessment period. Based on skin scrapings, the efficacy of selamectin against S. scabiei infestations on dogs was >95% by day 30, and 100% by day 60. Against O. cynotis, selamectin eliminated mites in 94-100% of cats by day 30, and in 90% of dogs by day 60. The positive-control products achieved similar results. Thus, selamectin was safe and effective against ear mites in dogs and cats and sarcoptic mange in dogs when used in field (veterinary patient) studies in dogs and cats of a wide variety of ages and breeds.     

Gastroprotectants in small animal veterinary practice – a review of the evidence. Part 1: cyto‐protective drugs

Diverse drugs with presumed cytoprotective effect have been used therapeutically in small animal veterinary practice for various gastro‐intestinal conditions such as oesophagitis, gastric ulceration, gastritis or chronic gastro‐enteropathies. Their efficacy has been doubted in human medicine, raising similar questions in the veterinary field. The aim of this review was to assess the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of these drugs in dogs and cats. Through a systematic review of the literature, we identified 37 articles on the use of misoprostol, sucralfate and other gastroprotectants in dogs and cats. There was evidence to support use of misoprostol in the prevention of aspirin‐induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury in dogs, and for use of sucralfate in the prevention of acid‐induced oesophagitis in cats. However, the overall quality of evidence supporting the use of these drugs in small animal patients was poor. In contrast, there was evidence of important adverse effects, especially drug interaction and gastro‐intestinal signs. We therefore recommend prescribing these drugs with caution until further well‐conducted studies reveal a useful gastroprotectant effect.