The usage of veterinary antibacterial drugs in dogs and cats in Sweden and
Norway for the period 1990-1998 was investigated by use of drug wholesalers
' statistics. Additionally, usage of human antibacterial drugs in these spe
cies in Sweden was investigated by use of prescription data for the period
1996-1998. On average, more than 50% of the prescribed veterinary antibacte
rials in Sweden were beta-lactam antibiotics. In Norway, about 75% of the p
reparations prescribed for dogs and cats contained sulfonamides and trimeth
oprim. Furthermore, the prescription data from Sweden showed a reduced usag
e of human antibacterials prescribed for dogs and cats since the beginning
of the 1980s. Approximately 20% of the prescribed packages for dogs in the
years 1996-1998 were human approved drugs. The corresponding figure for cat
s was 13%. The differences between the countries in the choice of antibacte
rial drugs can be explained by differences in the availability of approved
preparations during the study period. The consumption of veterinary antibac
terials in dogs and cats in Sweden during the period was in the range of 3%
to 8% of the total use of veterinary antibacterials. The corresponding fig
ures in Norway were in the range of 3% to 7%. It is of vital importance to
study usage patterns of antibacterial drugs in dogs and cats in surveillanc
e and control of bacterial resistance, but also in discussions of therapeut
ic appropriateness. Therefore, further research is needed in this area.