Challenges of bacteriological diagnostics and antibacterial therapy in small-animal practice

This two-hour workshop is designed for veterinarians who wish to improve their skills in diagnosing and treating bacterial infections.
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most significant public-health challenges today, and the consequences of excessive antimicrobial use are increasingly evident in veterinary practice. Rational use of antimicrobials requires systemic application only when clearly indicated and preferential use of narrow-spectrum agents. Aligning therapy with current guidelines often requires proper bacteriological diagnostics, beginning with adequate sample selection and collection.
The workshop will explain appropriate sampling techniques, how errors in the process affect laboratory outcomes, and the basics of bacteriological processing of various sample types. Participants will learn how to interpret results, assess the clinical significance of isolated bacteria, determine the need for systemic therapy, and select appropriate treatment based on antibiograms, infection site, and comorbidities.

What to expect:

• Demonstration of proper sampling and submission of clinical materials, common mistakes, and their impact on diagnostic outcomes
• Techniques of pathogen isolation and identification, summarized for practical use
• Interpretation and clinical relevance of findings; assessing whether systemic therapy is truly necessary
• Importance of antibiograms and how to choose the correct antimicrobial
• Discussion of real cases, focusing on challenges in interpretation, sampling techniques, and diagnostic value, with the possibility of discussing participants’ own cases