Australian Veterinary Prescribing Guidelines

Evidence-based prescribing guidelines for the veterinary practitioner and the industry.

NCAS and APCAH logos

The Australian veterinary prescribing guidelines are evidence-based guidelines created in a collaborative effort between the University of Melbourne’s Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health (APCAH) and the National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship.

These guidelines are independent, and we have no conflicts of interest to declare. All peer-reviewed research findings will be considered and critiqued, and guidelines adjusted as we see appropriate for the level of confidence we have in the research completed. Where evidence is lacking, this is stated and our recommendations are then based on human literature and expert opinion.

What are the Guidelines?

The Australian Veterinary Prescribing Guidelines have been created for the practitioner and the veterinary industry. They do not have the force of law. All guidelines issued here should be regarded as one of several tools a practitioner may take into consideration in the context of his or her practice. Many of the recommendations in this guide represent off-label use of antimicrobials.

All practitioners are encouraged first and foremost to understand and comply with the laws, regulations and standard of care of their appropriate jurisdiction. While guidelines are intended to promote a standard for veterinary practice, lack of adherence to any specific guideline does not constitute grounds for disciplinary action. The University of Melbourne and APCAH shall have no liability whatsoever for any guideline.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines

  • Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines

    The combination of effective antimicrobial stewardship with a comprehensive infection control program has been shown to limit the emergence and transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.

Companion Animal Guidelines - Medical

Choose a syndrome or body system.

  • Ears

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of conditions of the ear in companion animals.

  • Oral, gastrointestinal and pancreas

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of oral, gastrointestinal and pancreatic diseases in companion animals.

  • Reproductive

    Guidelines for diagnosing and treating vaginitis, pyometra, mastitis and prostatitis in companion animals.

  • Respiratory

    Guidelines for diagnosing and treating respiratory tract disease.

  • Skin

    Guidelines for diagnosing and treating bacterial skin infections in companion animals.

  • Urinary tract

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bacterial urinary tract infections.

Companion Animal Guidelines - Surgical

Bovine Guidelines - Medical

Choose a syndrome or body system.

  • Calf diseases

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of calf diseases.

  • Foot disease

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bovine foot diseases.

  • Gastrointestinal

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bovine gastrointestinal disease.

  • Mastitis

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bovine mastitis.

  • Neurological

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bovine neurological disease.

  • Ophthalmological

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bovine ophthalmology.

  • Reproductive

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bovine reproductive disease.

  • Respiratory

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bovine respiratory disease guidelines.

Bovine Surgical Guidelines

Equine Guidelines - Medical

Choose a syndrome or body system.

  • Cardiovascular

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of equine cardiovascular conditions.

  • Dentistry

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of equine dentistry conditions.

  • Dermatological, wounds and feet disorders

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of dermatological, wounds and foot disorders in horses.

  • Endotoxaemia

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of equine endotoxaemia.

  • Foal diseases

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of foal diseases.

  • Gastrointestinal

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal conditions in horses.

  • Immunisation

    Guidelines for equine immunisation.

  • Musculoskeletal

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of equine musculoskeletal conditions.

  • Ophthalmology

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of equine ophthalmological conditions.

  • Reproductive

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of equine reproductive conditions.

  • Respiratory

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of equine respiratory conditions.

  • Urinary tract

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of equine urinary tract conditions.

  • Other

    Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of other equine conditions.

Equine Guidelines - Surgical

Screenshot of equine Australian Veterinary Prescribing Guidelines.

Other resources we produce

Other useful tools include posters and booklets that can be downloaded, printed and displayed in the practice, a drug dose calculator (still coming) and pharmacological information (still coming) on the common antimicrobials used in Australian veterinary practice.

Explore our resources

Help make the Guidelines better

These guidelines are not static and we hope that you will also take an active role in this evolutionary process. Please suggest a disease or syndrome for guideline development where you think this would be of value. We’ve provided the published evidence for all our guidelines, if we’ve missed some key evidence in the development of a guideline please submit a suggestion now.

Make a suggestion

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General enquiries

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Email Laura Hardefeldt
Email Glenn Browning
Email Kirsten Bailey