Which statement best aligns with antibiotic stewardship in canine GI disease?

Which statement best aligns with antibiotic stewardship in canine GI disease?

• A. Short courses of antibiotics in appropriate cases align with stewardship
• B. Long-term usage of antibiotics goes against stewardship
• C. Always using broad-spectrum antibiotics is ideal to cover pathogens
• D. Antibiotics should never be used in chronic GI disease

Answer: (B)

Antibiotic stewardship focuses on using antibiotics only when necessary and for the shortest effective duration to minimize resistance and preserve gut health. Long-term antibiotic use in dogs with chronic GI disease goes against this principle because it increases selective pressure for resistant bacteria and disrupts the normal gut microbiome, often without providing ongoing benefit. In practice, antibiotics should be reserved for cases with a clear infectious or defined indication, and re-evaluated promptly; when used, choose the narrowest effective spectrum and discontinue as soon as possible. This is why the statement about long-term usage opposing stewardship best fits the concept.

Antibiotic stewardship focuses on using antibiotics only when necessary and for the shortest effective duration to minimize resistance and preserve gut health. Long-term antibiotic use in dogs with chronic GI disease goes against this principle because it increases selective pressure for resistant bacteria and disrupts the normal gut microbiome, often without providing ongoing benefit. In practice, antibiotics should be reserved for cases with a clear infectious or defined indication, and re-evaluated promptly; when used, choose the narrowest effective spectrum and discontinue as soon as possible. This is why the statement about long-term usage opposing stewardship best fits the concept.