Cross-sectional study of antibiotic use in caesarean section and left displaced abomasum correction by bovine veterinarians in the Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Political, scientific and societal concerns about antibiotic resistance resulted in a decrease in antibiotic use in the Dutch dairy sector but no information was available about the use of antibiotics surrounding bovine abdominal surgeries. Objective: The purpose of this study was to collect data on the antibiotic prophylaxis in caesarean sections (CSs) and left displaced abomasum (LDA) corrections in the Netherlands. Study design: Cross-sectional questionnaire Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to 373 members of the specialist-ruminant subdepartment of the Royal Dutch Veterinary Association (KNMvD). The questionnaire consisted of questions about demographic details of the respondents, how they performed their latest CS and LDA correction and about the timing, application method, and the used antibiotics around these surgeries. ' Results: A total of 113 members of the specialist-ruminant sub-department completed the online survey. All the respondents used antibiotics for their latest performed caesarean section (CS) and 79 respondents for their latest LDA correction. Recent graduated veterinarians (<10 years work experience) used less antibiotics around CSs than older graduates. Antibiotics were overall significantly more often used postoperatively compared to pre- and intra-operative antibiotic administration (odds ratio= 10.29; CI 6.43-17.07). Benzylpenicillin, aminopenicillins and combinations of these antibiotics with aminoglycosides were most frequently used for both surgeries. Conclusion: More education of veterinarians is needed to improve a more prudent use of prophylactic antibiotics around CSs and LDA corrections in the Netherlands.