2018 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program: Seattle, Washington, June 14 - 15, 2018

In summary, this clinical trial has two valuable conclusions. First, by demonstrating that two antibiotics are not necessary for treatment of haemorrhagic diarrhoea we have shown that antibiotic usage can be safely reduced in these patients. Second we have proven that rigorous clinical trials can be performed in primary-care practice in the absence of extensive diagnostics. It is hoped that similar trials examining possible overuse of antibiotics in other common conditions will be conducted in the future. Over the three 3-year periods, prevalence of FIV increased from 4.8% to 6.0% (p = 0.31) and the prevalence of FeLV decreased significantly from 1.6% to 0.3% (p < 0.03). For each year of the study, there were significantly more FIV-positive males than females (p < 0.01). Despite a 60% decrease in admissions in the third period, the prevalence of FIV for males remained similar across the years (p < 0.08), and increased for females, suggesting that FIV testing should continue among free-living community cats in San Mateo County. All participants reported being aware of Lyme disease; however, none reported that a family or household member had been diagnosed with Lyme disease. The majority of respondents stated that they knew the cause of Lyme disease (92%) and correctly identified a tick as the vector of Lyme disease. However, only half of respondents actively tried to prevent tick attachment on themselves (56%), with 29% sometimes doing so, and 23% not trying to prevent tick attachment. Similarly, only 21% of respondents undertook non-chemical efforts (e.g. trimming of brush or shrubs) to reduce ticks on their property.