Abstract

Objective: Antibiotic resistance is a major global public health problem. Antibiotic use practices by animal health professionals play a role in this phenomenon. This study aimed to describe antibiotic use practices in dogs by paravets in Benin.
Materials and Methods: A total of 157 paravets were asked to complete a questionnaire on antibiotic use practices in dogs. The data collected were processed and analyzed using R software. Results: This study revealed that parvovirus and mange were more common in dogs than rabies, babesiosis, myiasis, ringworm, leptospirosis, canine distemper, hepatitis, ascariasis, avitaminosis, tetanus, strongylosis, tapeworm, echinococcosis, and anemia. Oxytetracycline, penicillin, and streptomycin were most commonly used in dogs by paravets. 1.27% of paravets performed laboratory diagnosis, and 2.55% performed antibiotic susceptibility testing for antibiotic therapy in dogs. Those who respected the dose and duration of treatment represented 82.80% and 85.62%, respectively. Therapeutic failures were encountered by 51.59% of those surveyed. Overdosing was sometimes practiced by 46.75% of respondents. Less than 50% of paravets were aware of the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance.
Conclusion: This study shows a lack of knowledge among paravets about antimicrobial resistance and the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Therefore, it is time-sensitive to initiate workshops, conferences, and training courses on antibiotic resistance and good antibiotic use practices for paravets to combat antibiotic resistance in dogs.

Key words: Practices; antibiotics; dogs; paravets; Benin