Choosing which metrics to use when reporting antimicrobial use information to veterinarians in the Canadian swine industry.

The objective of this study was to evaluate preferences for various metrics and denominators among Canadian swine veterinarians, in order to improve reporting of antimicrobial use (AMU) information to these stakeholders and to facilitate enhanced stewardship decisions. An online survey was made available to swine veterinarians across Canada; 12 responses (estimated response rate 17.6%) were submitted and analyzed. Responses represented veterinarians from every major pig-producing province and from a range of year of graduation from veterinary college. Participants self-evaluated their understanding of dose-based metrics as higher than weight- and frequency-based metrics and interpreted most results of AMU analyses correctly. Participants preferred dose-based metrics over others, and had various objectives for AMU information, including improving AMU on their clients' farms and enabling comparisons with other farms. The results are useful to those making decisions about which AMU metrics to use in reports targeted to swine veterinarians.