Understanding the rationale for metronidazole use in dogs and cats.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

It is currently unknown how often antibiotics (including metronidazole) are used for non-antibacterial purposes in dogs and cats. This study looked to characterise the rationale for metronidazole prescription in these species.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study. Veterinarians reported clinical information for dogs and cats treated with metronidazole in the previous year, including the rationale for metronidazole selection.

Results

Three hundred and thirty-two cases were reported by 138 veterinarians describing metronidazole use in 47 cats and 285 dogs. Metronidazole was most commonly prescribed to treat acute diarrhoea (n = 156, 47%), chronic diarrhoea (n = 79, 24%) or giardiasis (n = 36, 11%). Veterinarians selected metronidazole exclusively for non-antimic

SUBMITTER: Ng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12686258 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature