Vets sought for canine UTI treatment study
"We need as many vets as possible to share their data and contribute to this vital research" - Fergus Allerton.
UK veterinary surgeons are encouraged to take part in a study on antibiotic use in canine urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Led by Fergus Allerton, European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine, the study aims to find the optimum length of antibiotic treatment of UTIs in order to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), by reducing unnecessary use of antibiotics.
The team requires more than 900 cases from primary care veterinary surgeons across the UK, Fergus Allerton explained: “Treatment recommendations should be based on concrete evidence that improves the care we provide and reduces the risk of unnecessary antibiotic use.
“Evidence around antibiotic course duration is sorely lacking, but is essential for us address the threat of AMR.
“We are aiming to gather more than 900 cases to provide robust evidence for the study, so we need as many vets as possible to share their data and contribute to this vital research. If you see these cases and would like to help in the fight against AMR please get in touch.”
Titled 'Stop on Sunday' (SOS), the project focuses on treating female dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of UTI, aged between six months and 10 years.
The trial will compare various treatment durations of three, four, five, six and seven-day courses of amoxicillin-clavulanate. The duration assigned with depend on when each dog is presented, those presenting on Monday will receive the full seven-day course, while those presenting on Friday will receive a three-day course.
On the Monday, the owner of the pet can update the participating veterinary surgeon, who can then reassess the case to ensure that the dog receives the correct level of treatment and support.
A data capture system is used to collected the clinical information, which will email the owners to collect follow-up data in the event of recurrences.
“Input to the study counts towards annual CPD requirements and there will be further opportunities to contribute, such as data analysis and manuscript preparation,” added Mr Allerton.
The study has ethical approval and an animal test certificate, and is supported by the Small Animal Medicine Society (SAMSoc).
Full protocol of the study has been published in BMC Veterinary Research, and any veterinary surgeons able to take part can contact fergus.allerton@willows.uk.net for more details.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
