The aim of our study was to evaluate antimicrobial use in dogs and cats in Finland. Information on veterinary prescriptions was gathered from University Pharmacies (n=17) over a one-month period, April 2001. A total of 2719 prescriptions for veterinary use were delivered, of which the majority were for dogs (70%, n=1898) and cats (14%, n=384). The most prescribed therapy group was per-oral antimicrobial agents (53%, n=1449), of which 16% (n=237) were medicines approved for humans. The most commonly used substances for dogs and cats were betalactams, 66% and 78%, respectively. The proportion of fluoroquinolones was 3-5%. The average duration of the treatment periods was 10 days with the exception of treatment of cats with macrolide-lincosamides, where the mean period was 20 days. Indication was mentioned only in 37% of the prescriptions.