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VetVine Client Care

Posted On Sep 10, 2025

Updated On Oct 16, 2025

Five Practical Steps Toward Antimicrobial Stewardship

Antimicrobial Stewardship

Resistant infections are increasingly common in both animals and people. One reason for this is the indiscriminate or improper use of antimicrobial drugs; estimates are that upwards to 40-50% of antimicrobial prescriptions may be unnecessary. As such, prudent prescribing of antimicrobials should matter to everyone.

Antimicrobial stewardship starts with simple actionable steps. Here are five practical considerations for clinicians:

  1. Don’t skip diagnostics: Use cytology for skin / ear cases and submit cultures for recurrent or severe infections.
  2. Use first-line drugs first: Follow consensus guidelines (e.g. reserve fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins for proven resistant cases).
  3. Treat for the right duration: Shorter courses are often effective; adjust based on response.
  4. Communicate with clients: Explain when antibiotics are unnecessary and discuss supportive care options for the patient.
  5. Build a culture of stewardship: Share guidelines with your team and monitor prescribing habits in the practice. When it comes to the “big guns,” prescribing of critically important drugs should be reserved for treating confirmed multi-drug resistant infections. 

Here are some common barriers to antimicrobial stewardship and how to overcome them:

  • Time pressure – Prepare handouts explaining when antibiotics aren’t needed. 
  • Client expectations – Frame stewardship as protecting antibiotics for future use. 
  • Budget concerns – A culture (of a chronic and/or recurring infection) might seem expensive but can often save money in the long run by avoiding repeated failed treatments.

Remember ... antimicrobial stewardship means using the right drug, at the right dose, for the right duration, in the right patient!


We are pleased to offer these select topics On Demand that meet antimicrobial stewardship CE requirements:


Registrants will be provided a downloadable packet of supplemental materials including:

  • Handbook of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Companion Animal Veterinary Settings
  • Pocket guide: Antimicrobial prescribing for common small animal diseases
  • Checklist for Core Principal Implementation
  • Antibiotic Use Talking Points for Vet Clinics
  • "No Antibiotic Today" Handout / Prescription - a fillable PDF that can be provided to clients in lieu of a vial of pills (when antimicrobials are not indicated)