Client expectations regarding antimicrobial treatment for canine outpatients with acute diarrhea

Objectives: To investigate client expectations to antimicrobial treatment in dogs with acute diarrhea treated as outpatients. Methods: Dogs with acute diarrhea presenting to the Emergency Service at the University Hospital for Companion Animals, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, from March 2021 to June 2022, were included. All dogs received a non-antimicrobial supportive treatment as outpatients. Attending veterinarians filled out close-ended post consultation questionnaires investigating perceived as well as explicit client expectations of antimicrobial therapy. Client phone interviews were conducted 14-92 days following the consultation using an interview protocol including 15 predefined open-ended questions regarding treatment expectations and satisfaction. Selected data were retrospectively collected from medical records. Results: One hundred and twelve dogs were included with a 60% veterinarian (N=68) and 85% client (N=95) response rate. No dogs received antimicrobials. In 5/68 consultations, veterinarians perceived that the client expected antimicrobials. Among these, three clients explicitly requested antimicrobials. When interviewed, 4/95 clients spontaneously expressed an expectation of receiving antimicrobials when asked about treatment expectations. One of these had requested antimicrobials during the consultation. In total, one client expressed dissatisfaction with the non-antimicrobial regime at the University Hospital. This client did not request antimicrobials at the consultation. The remaining clients were overall satisfied. Statement (conclusions): In this survey, the vast majority of clients were satisfied with supportive treatment of their dog presenting with acute diarrhea. Five percent expressed an expectation of antimicrobial treatment but only one client expressed dissatisfaction with the non-antimicrobial treatment regime. It is feasible to obtain high client satisfaction with a non-antimicrobial treatment-strategy. Funding/Declaration of interests: None