Overview
- The American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) and the Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC) have developed antimicrobial stewardship guidelines.
- Endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
- Focus on preserving antimicrobial effectiveness while safeguarding animal, public, and environmental health.
- Emphasize preventive health programs (husbandry, biosecurity, routine exams, immunization) to reduce the need for antimicrobial use.
Key Principles of Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Medically important antimicrobials are necessary for treating, preventing, and controlling infectious diseases in cattle.
- Preventive health measures can reduce disease occurrence, thereby minimizing antimicrobial use.
- Stewardship involves judicious use of antimicrobials, considering:
- Evidence-based decision-making.
- Optimal dosage, duration, and administration route.
- Continuous evaluation of treatment outcomes.
- Respect for client resources.
Guidelines for Prudent Antimicrobial Use
1. Veterinary Oversight
- Veterinarians should design biosecurity and disease prevention programs (housing, nutrition, immunization).
- Antimicrobials should be used only when necessary and justified.
- Must operate within a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
2. Therapeutic Decision-Making
- Antimicrobials should be carefully selected based on:
- Strong clinical evidence of pathogen identity.
- Clinical signs, history, necropsy findings, and lab data.
- Epidemiological evidence and past clinical experience.
- Use antimicrobials only for treatment, prevention, or control, not for production enhancement.
3. Optimized Treatment Regimens
- Follow best-use principles:
- Proper dosage and administration route.
- Treat for the shortest effective period.
- Limit use to the smallest number of animals necessary.
- Decisions should be based on animal-specific risk factors, not just standard practice.
- Follow label instructions for condition, dose, route, duration, and withdrawal periods.
4. Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- Extralabel drug use must follow all relevant laws.
- Compounding from bulk drug substances for cattle is prohibited.
- Combination antimicrobial therapy should be avoided unless proven to increase efficacy or reduce resistance.
5. Proper Handling and Administration
- Protect drug integrity through correct handling, storage, and adherence to expiration dates.
- Ensure responsible use through veterinarian oversight at the production facility.
- Prevent stockpiling by prescribing appropriate drug quantities.
6. Education and Training
- Veterinarians should train farm personnel on:
- Indications, dosages, withdrawal times.
- Administration techniques (route, injection site, storage, handling).
- Recordkeeping and disease diagnosis.
- Provide written or computerized protocols for antimicrobial use.
7. Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation
- Regularly review treatment records, drug inventory, and purchase history.
- Ensure labeling accuracy for correct on-farm antimicrobial use.
- Participate in continuing education programs on therapeutics and antimicrobial resistance.
- Stay updated on safety and efficacy of antimicrobial practices.
Conclusion
By following these guidelines, veterinarians and cattle producers can ensure responsible antimicrobial use, maintain animal health and welfare, and contribute to reducing antimicrobial resistance.
