title: Use of cefovecin in a UK population of cats attending first-opinion practices as recorded in electronic health records.
abstract: Objectives The objective was to use electronic health records to describe the use of cefovecin (Convenia; Zoetis UK), a third-generation long-acting injectable antimicrobial, in a UK population of cats attending first-opinion practices, and to compare the use of Convenia with the licensed uses described on the UK Convenia datasheet. Methods Data were obtained as an Excel database from the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network for all feline consultations containing the word Convenia and/or cefovecin from 1 September 2012 to 23 September 2013 inclusive. Entries were classified according to body system treated, confirmation or suspicion of an abscess, evidence of microbiological evaluation being performed, any concurrent therapies given and whether any reason was given for use of Convenia over alternative antimicrobials. Data were exported to IBM SPSS Statistics and descriptive analysis performed. Results In total, 1148 entries were analysed. The most common body system treated was skin in 553 (48.2%) entries, then urinary (n = 157; 13.7%) and respiratory (n = 112; 9.8%). Microbiological evaluation was recorded in 193 (16.8%) entries, with visible purulent material most commonly cited (in 147 [12.8%] entries). A reason for prescribing Convenia over alternative antimicrobials was given in 138 (12.0%) entries; the most cited was an inability to orally medicate the cat in 77 (55.8%) of these entries. Excluding 131 entries where no body system or multiple body systems were described, the use of Convenia complied with a licensed use in the UK datasheet in 710 (69.8%) of 1017 entries. Conclusions and relevance Most administrations were licensed uses; however, most entries did not describe any microbiological evaluation, or a reason for prescribing Convenia over alternative antimicrobials. Further education of the public and the veterinary profession is needed to promote antimicrobial stewardship in the UK. Health records provide a valuable tool with which to monitor, both locally and at scale, the use of important therapeutics like antimicrobials. Information relevant to decision-making should be recorded in individual animal health records.
authors: 1 The Feline Centre, Langford Veterinary Services, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.|Current address: CityVets, Exeter, UK.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Burke
authors: 1 The Feline Centre, Langford Veterinary Services, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors: Vicki
authors: V
authors: Black
authors: 2 Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Sánchez-Vizcaíno
authors: 2 Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK.
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Radford
authors: 1 The Feline Centre, Langford Veterinary Services, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors: Angie
authors: A
authors: Hibbert
authors: 1 The Feline Centre, Langford Veterinary Services, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors: Séverine
authors: S
authors: Tasker
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002415:Cats; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D006113:United Kingdom; D019155:Veterinary Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D019155:Veterinary Drugs; C516253:cefovecin