78 per cent of small animal vets are also concerned that antimicrobial resistance could affect their ability to control post-surgical infections.

The survey results are released to coincide with European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) on Tuesday 18 November 2014. Other statistics show:

• 9 out of 10 vets are concerned about antimicrobial resistance, with a third describing themselves as very concerned
• 72 per cent of small animal vets cite poor owner compliance (such as not making sure a pet finishes a course of antibiotics or using antibiotics prescribed for one pet for another animal) as a main driver for antimicrobial resistance
• Almost 90 per cent of small animal vets said they had come under pressure to prescribe drugs to pets from their clients
• 82 per cent of small animal vets said their clients are not aware of antimicrobial resistance

Calling on pet owners to work with their vet to combat the threat of antimicrobial resistance, BVA President and veterinary surgeon John Blackwell said: “The depth of our members concerns highlights the need for every one of us to do the right thing and take responsibility for combating antimicrobial resistance for the good of both human and animal health.

"This means owners working with vets and understanding that in some circumstances antibiotics may not be required to treat their pets.

“We need pet owners to help us. Just as people are ever more aware that they should not go to the doctor’s surgery with the expectation that they will be prescribed antibiotics, we would ask pet owners to not automatically expect antibiotics when their pet is not well.

"We need to better inform pet owners about the risks of not following their vet’s instructions precisely when antibiotics are prescribed, particularly about what the consequences can be for using antibiotics prescribed for one pet on another.

"On European Antibiotic Awareness Day I would urge owners to read the excellent BVA leaflet for pet owners on their role in relation to antibiotics and to take the pledge to become an Antibiotic Guardian. We are particularly pleased that there is a special pledge for pet owners and I would urge all pet owners to make that pledge.

“We know that owners love their pets and will often think that a course of antibiotics will be the best thing to help their pets when they are ill. But the inappropriate use of antibiotics could mean that in the long-term the companion animals that mean so much to so many of us may be at risk of very serious and life-threatening infections with no ability to treat them.”