Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is an important threat to animal and human health. Prudent use of antibiotics is essential to prevent serious disease outbreaks in animals and humans.
The veterinary profession is actively reducing its dependency on, and possible misuse of, antimicrobials in the effort to ensure that these drugs remain valuable weapons in the therapeutic armoury, not only of veterinarians themselves, but also the human medical profession.
Therefore, veterinarians prescribe antibiotic treatment only when necessary and they will work with the animal owners to improve animal husbandry practices to reduce our dependence on antibiotics.
Antimicrobial treatment is normally only indicated if both criteria described below are fulfilled:
There is evidence of bacterial infection (or when there is sufficient cause to suspect that an actual bacterial infection is present)
If the infection, likely will not resolve without the support of antimicrobial therapy
As animal owners, you can also help reduce the risk of the development of AMR by avoiding:
Overuse of antibiotics: For example, administering antibiotics as a blanket or preventative treatment. This situation may kill millions of beneficial bacteria that are part of our natural environment and help provide defence against dangerous bacteria
Incorrect use of antibiotics: For example, failing to ask your veterinarian to diagnose the bacteria and failing to perform culture and sensitivity tests to ascertain the correct antibiotic for treatment. This situation “selects” populations of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics
Poor animal husbandry and hygiene that puts animals and people at risk of infection
For more information, please discuss your situation with your veterinarian or visit