Stewardship Seminar: Evaluating Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use in Dogs and Cats

2024-2025 Companion Animal Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Control Seminar Series presents:

Evaluating Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use in Dogs and Cats

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in dogs and cats poses a threat to animal and human health. Dr. Csaba Varga will describe AMR patterns in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated from urine samples submitted to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory from dogs and cats suspected of urinary tract infections. Next, survey results on Illinois veterinarians' antimicrobial prescription practices and the factors that influence their decisions when treating bacterial infections in dogs and cats will be presented. The provided information on AMR and AMU in dogs and cats will help animal health stakeholders in developing stewardship programs.

Csaba Varga, DVM, MSc, PhD, DACVPM, is an infectious disease epidemiologist aiming to help public health stakeholders design effective disease prevention and control programs. Dr. Varga is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, USA. The mission of his research is to improve the health of populations by applying the One Health concept that recognizes connections between humans, animals, and their shared environment. His research program's main focus is to understand the burden and risk factors of pathogens and identify risk factors contributing to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic and commensal enteric bacteria. His research team aims to assist public and animal health agencies in implementing effective prevention and control strategies to reduce the health burden of these pathogens.

This program has been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit for veterinarians in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval.