Antimicrobial use in the surgical treatment of canine pyometra: A questionnaire survey of Arizona‐licensed veterinarians

BACKGROUND: Recent studies and consensus statements in veterinary and human medicine recommend more judicious use of antimicrobials. While guidelines have been provided for some veterinary diseases, others have poorly elucidated guidelines. Postoperative treatment of canine pyometra is a condition with minimal guidelines regarding antimicrobial use. OBJECTIVE: To identify and investigate patterns of antimicrobial use following surgically treated canine pyometra. METHODS: A 23‐question survey, sent to 863 small and mixed animal practitioners, investigated demographics, patterns of antibiotic use, rate of culture submission and participant's recollection of outcomes of surgically treated pyometra cases. Responses were analysed for relationships between demographics, patterns of antibiotic use and culture results to better understand reasoning for antibiotic protocols. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty‐two responses were received. Overall, 76% of veterinarians stated they always use preoperative and perioperative antibiotics, and 74% stated they always use postoperative antibiotics. A total of 16 different antibiotics were reported. Twelve per cent of respondents regularly submitted a culture. Culture submission was impacted by cost, prior experience, poor owner compliance, result turnaround time and anticipated results. CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents always used antibiotics and rarely or never submitted a culture. To optimise patient care, future clinical studies are needed to determine specific guidelines for the use of culture and antibiotics in the treatment of canine pyometra following ovariohysterectomy.