A cluster analysis of veterinarians' antimicrobial prescription preferences for companion animals in Portugal

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial stewardship is essential to tackle antimicrobial resistance, particularly in veterinary practice where antimicrobials of high importance for human health require careful oversight. This study assessed prescribing patterns and concordance with FECAVA recommendations for prudent antimicrobial use across common clinical scenarios, providing a Europe-wide framework for responsible antimicrobial prescribing in companion animals. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among veterinarians in Portugal (October 2019-January 2020), covering 11 clinical scenarios and 18 therapeutic options, including 'no antimicrobial therapy'. Descriptive, inferential, and cluster analyses were performed. RESULTS: Among 416 respondents, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (27.4%) and fluoroquinolones (13.8%) were most frequently chosen. Six prescribing clusters were identified: Cluster D (33.2%) was the largest, followed by Clusters C (23.3%) and F (22.1%). Younger veterinarians (