German veterinarians asked: a cross-sectional study on microbiological examination and antimicrobial use in canine reproductive medicine
Despite the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance, many dog breeders still request antimicrobial treatment prior to mating, often based on vaginal bacterial culture examinations. However, several previous studies failed to identify differences in the vaginal microbiota between healthy do...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1645496/full |
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| author | Alicia Rojahn Anna Sophia Leps Sandra Goericke-Pesch |
| author_facet | Alicia Rojahn Anna Sophia Leps Sandra Goericke-Pesch |
| author_sort | Alicia Rojahn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Despite the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance, many dog breeders still request antimicrobial treatment prior to mating, often based on vaginal bacterial culture examinations. However, several previous studies failed to identify differences in the vaginal microbiota between healthy dogs and those with reproductive tract disorders; thus, treating healthy bitches with antimicrobials regardless of the bacterial findings is contraindicated. To investigate current practices of German small animal veterinarians regarding microbiological sampling and antimicrobial treatment in canine reproductive medicine, we conducted an online survey using LimeSurvey®. The questionnaire included questions (single/multiple choice) about procedures of microbiological swab sampling and handling in general and in canine reproductive medicine specifically, as well as on antimicrobial use in the respective field. The objective was to identify educational and research needs regarding vaginal bacterial culture interpretation and antimicrobial treatment in canine breeding. We found that treating clinically healthy breeding bitches remains common practice among both breeders and veterinarians. Our findings highlight the importance of continuous education and improved communication to reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use in canine reproduction. Furthermore, research on the reproductive microbiome in relation to fertility is essential for evidence-based treatment decisions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4609c2ac63a04adf9432895452fa74ea |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-4609c2ac63a04adf9432895452fa74ea2025-08-20T02:45:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-07-011210.3389/fvets.2025.16454961645496German veterinarians asked: a cross-sectional study on microbiological examination and antimicrobial use in canine reproductive medicineAlicia RojahnAnna Sophia LepsSandra Goericke-PeschDespite the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance, many dog breeders still request antimicrobial treatment prior to mating, often based on vaginal bacterial culture examinations. However, several previous studies failed to identify differences in the vaginal microbiota between healthy dogs and those with reproductive tract disorders; thus, treating healthy bitches with antimicrobials regardless of the bacterial findings is contraindicated. To investigate current practices of German small animal veterinarians regarding microbiological sampling and antimicrobial treatment in canine reproductive medicine, we conducted an online survey using LimeSurvey®. The questionnaire included questions (single/multiple choice) about procedures of microbiological swab sampling and handling in general and in canine reproductive medicine specifically, as well as on antimicrobial use in the respective field. The objective was to identify educational and research needs regarding vaginal bacterial culture interpretation and antimicrobial treatment in canine breeding. We found that treating clinically healthy breeding bitches remains common practice among both breeders and veterinarians. Our findings highlight the importance of continuous education and improved communication to reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use in canine reproduction. Furthermore, research on the reproductive microbiome in relation to fertility is essential for evidence-based treatment decisions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1645496/fullcanine reproductionvaginal bacterial cultureantimicrobial useantimicrobial resistancebreeding management |
| spellingShingle | Alicia Rojahn Anna Sophia Leps Sandra Goericke-Pesch German veterinarians asked: a cross-sectional study on microbiological examination and antimicrobial use in canine reproductive medicine Frontiers in Veterinary Science canine reproduction vaginal bacterial culture antimicrobial use antimicrobial resistance breeding management |
| title | German veterinarians asked: a cross-sectional study on microbiological examination and antimicrobial use in canine reproductive medicine |
| title_full | German veterinarians asked: a cross-sectional study on microbiological examination and antimicrobial use in canine reproductive medicine |
| title_fullStr | German veterinarians asked: a cross-sectional study on microbiological examination and antimicrobial use in canine reproductive medicine |
| title_full_unstemmed | German veterinarians asked: a cross-sectional study on microbiological examination and antimicrobial use in canine reproductive medicine |
| title_short | German veterinarians asked: a cross-sectional study on microbiological examination and antimicrobial use in canine reproductive medicine |
| title_sort | german veterinarians asked a cross sectional study on microbiological examination and antimicrobial use in canine reproductive medicine |
| topic | canine reproduction vaginal bacterial culture antimicrobial use antimicrobial resistance breeding management |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1645496/full |
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