Introduction: The inadequate use of antibiotics in humans, animals, and agriculture has been associated with the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To successfully tackle the public health problem of antibiotic resistance (ABR), it is necessary to take a One Health approach.

Methods: Focus groups were carried out among Portuguese veterinarians whose practice was in production animals (bovine, swine, ovine, and caprine). The topic guide was constructed based on the information obtained from a previous systematic review. Qualitative analysis was performed using NVivo software.

Results: Six focus groups were conducted, with a total of 19 veterinarians. From this study, four main themes emerged: (1) a lack of control of antibiotic use/drug residues in food-producing animals: surveillance/monitoring should be improved by investing in human resources/tools. The illegal access to drugs should be more strictly controlled, as it undermines antibiotic stewardship; (2) challenges in guideline adherence: guidelines should be simplified and adjusted for ABR and production animals. Authorization/access to vaccines used in other countries is difficult and time-consuming; (3) limited ABR knowledge: fear of animal loss drives antibiotic overuse/misuse; (4) client resource constraints: poor husbandry and delayed veterinary intervention, combined with veterinarians' workload and stress, contribute to inappropriate antibiotic use.

Conclusions: To promote responsible antibiotic use in veterinary medicine, we need better monitoring systems, simplified guidelines, and increased vaccine access. Educational interventions for veterinarians and clients are essential, and collaboration among all stakeholders is vital for enhancing governance and ensuring sustainable antimicrobial practices.

Funding: Project 2022.04568.PTDC, supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in its state budget component (OE).