Use of antimicrobial drugs to prevent infections in veterinary patients.

The usefulness of antimicrobial drugs for prevention of certain infections has been well proven. The use of antibiotics during surgery, in order to prevent increased morbidity and expense associated with surgical infections, is a well accepted part of clinical practice. Experience with various techniques for their administration suggests that refinement in drug selection, dosage, and the timing of administration improves the efficacy of prophylactic antimicrobials. For surgical implants, nontraditional uses of antimicrobial drugs are probably indicated. Urinary tract infections can be postponed beyond the need for continued catheterization in certain patients by judicious application of antimicrobials. The purpose of this review is to summarize the accepted principles of antimicrobial prophylaxis and to examine specific therapeutic regimens used for the prevention of infections in surgical patients, those requiring chronic urinary catheterization, dental patients, and severely ill and immunocompromised patients.