155: Antibiotic Prescribing Habits Vets Need To Ditch Now. With Dr Riati Scarborough and Dr Laura Hardefeldt
About this episode
The episode discusses the need to change antibiotic prescribing habits in veterinary practice, featuring insights from experts on current challenges and strategies for improvement.
Four years after our original antibiotic myth-busting episode (Ep 60), we’re back with Dr Riati Scarborough to talk antibiotic prescribing habits. This time we’re joined by fellow stewardship expert Dr Laura Hardefeldt , and this time we’re asking the harder question: Have we actually changed? The good news? Some prescribing habits are shifting. We’re seeing shorter courses and less ‘just in case antibiotic usage. But let’s not pat ourselves on the back too quickly. Because some of our most entrenched habits are still alive and well, like how we treat skin disease, and our ongoing love affair with amoxiclav. This episode is a practical, clinically grounded update on what the evidence says in 2026 - and how to make realistic changes without compromising patient care. We cover: Why skin disease remains the single biggest driver of antimicrobial resistance in small animal practice, and what to do about it Amoxicillin vs amoxiclav: when de-escalation is not just safe, but smarter Why conve nience (you know the brand we’re talking about right…) is not a clinical indication Trimethoprim-sulphonamide and the real story on KCS risk Dentals, heart murmurs, and what prophylaxis actually…
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