Stories of Antibiotic Use and Resistance
Jennifer Granick, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (SAIM)
Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota
Cats and dogs get bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, just as humans do, so antibiotic prescribing is a common part of the work I do as a small animal internal medicine specialist.
In small animal medicine, most pets lack health insurance, so I try to do my best with often limited resources. This sometimes means that I can't do the work-up I would like to. Prescribing (or not prescribing) in the face of diagnostic uncertainty is challenging.
I see antibiotic-resistant infections very commonly now. When I first started veterinary practice, antibiotic-resistant infections were a rarity. In our hospital, we develop yearly antibiograms, and I have seen bacterial susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics decrease over time.
When pets are infected with an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection, it can be challenging to find a therapy that can optimally treat the infection. Often I am left with choosing an antibiotic that may have an increased risk of side effects or is more costly for pet owners. I am sometimes confronted with the ethical dilemma of whether or not to use an antibiotic that is important for treating antibiotic-resistant infections in humans. There are few guidelines for veterinarians confronted with these situations.
Like everyone, I fear my loved ones and my patients will develop infections that cannot be treated.
In small animal medicine in the United States, we have very little information about overall antibiotic use. I am working with colleagues to change that and am anxious to see what we find. Additionally, there are still lots of unknowns regarding optimal antibiotic selection and duration of treatment for common infections in pets.
Irene Bueno Padilla, DVM, MPH, PhD
Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota
Park Nicollet Infection Prevention Team
Infection Prevention Team
Lori Nicholson & Mr. Beebs
Pet owner & advocate for companion animal health
Elizabeth Hirsch, PharmD, RPh
Clinical Pharmacist and Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota
Robert Jacobson, MD
Pediatrician and Medical Director for the Employee and Community Health Immunization Program, Mayo Clinic
Liz from Minnesota
Minnesota Resident
Peter Currie, MD
Emergency Physician, Emergency Physicians Professional Association
Melissa Anacker, PhD
Research Scientist; Minnesota Department of Health – Public Health Laboratory
Seth Spronk
Spronk Brothers III LLP
Kris Wammer, PhD
Associate Professor, University of St. Thomas
Stacie Urbanick, MSN, RN
Director of Nursing, Essentia Health-Oak Crossing
Lauri Hicks, DO
Director, Office of Antibiotic Stewardship, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Medora Witwer, MPH, CIC
Epidemiologist, Minnesota Department of Health
Caitlin Eccles-Radtke, MD
Infectious Diseases Physician, Hennepin County Medical Center
Jonathan Alpern, MD
Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine Physician, HealthPartners
Alex Kallen, MD
Medical Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Nathan Chomilo, MD
Pediatric Internal Medicine Physician, Park Nicollet
Molly McCoy
Minnesota Resident and Mother
Craig Kohls
Kohls Land and Cattle
Candi Shearen, RN, BC, CIC
Family member impacted by C. difficile
President, APIC Minnesota
Ashley Suchomel, MPH
Environmental Research Scientist, Minnesota Department of Health
Spotlight
One Health Antibiotic Stewardship Resources and Print Materials
Fact sheets, flyers, posters, brochures, and other materials that you can print and use.
Minnesota Antibiotic Stewardship Honor Roll
The honor roll encourages commitment to antibiotic stewardship across the state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Antimicrobial Use and Resistance
Answers to frequently asked questions about antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, and proper use in human, animal, and environmental health.
For any questions or comments, please contact health.stewardship@state.mn.us
