Abstract

Background: Veterinarians' perspectives on antibiotic stewardship (ABS) have not been examined for UK smallholdings. Due to differences between smallholdings and commercial farms, antibiotic use (ABU) practices may be different. ABS recommendations from a related study exploring ABU on smallholdings pertained to veterinary provisions, indicating a need for further research. Methods: To explore veterinarians' experiences of smallholding ABU and derive recommendations for ABS, we completed eight semi-structured interviews with veterinarians. We analysed these qualitatively, using thematic analysis. Results: Veterinarians described initiatives, checks and procedures aimed at encouraging smallholding ABS, including restricting which smallholders kept antibiotics on-site and collaboratively creating farm animal health plans. Veterinarians conceded, however, that these strategies were limited in terms of how consistently inappropriate ABU could be avoided. Veterinarians explained difficulties diagnosing the cause of clinical problems and described how the practice of leaving whole antibiotic bottles/packs on-site could enable non-veterinary-supervised ABU. Veterinarians raised practical and regulatory challenges around splitting antibiotic bottles/packs. Conclusions and limitations: ABS recommendations include considering how veterinarians could be better supported to complete a clinical reasoning process on smallholdings and exploring how veterinarians could be encouraged to split antibiotic packs, whilst staying within regulatory requirements. The qualitative nature of this study limits generalisability of findings.