AVMA releases canine, feline antimicrobial use guidelines

Schaumburg, Ill.-Adding to its swine, bovine and equine recommendations,the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) puts forth judicioususe of antimicrobial guidelines for cats and dogs.

The guidelines are designed to provide information to aid veterinariansin choosing appropriate antibiotic therapies while minimizing the developmentof antimicrobial resistance and protecting the public.

Although real concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance usually regardfood animals and the transfer of resistance to humans, Dr. Lyle Vogel, AVMAdirector of scientific activities, notes that there is a possibility ofresistance transfer by direct human-to-animal contact.

"The main point with these documents is that they encourage veterinariansand owners to stop and consider if antibiotics are really necessary,"he says. "I'm sure there is a lot of antimicrobial use going on that'sbased on pure judgment rather than scientific testing."

Guideline suggestions

Established in cooperation with the American Animal Hospital Association(AAHA), the guidelines recommend practitioners emphasize to clients strategieson illness prevention, always use science to determine antimicrobial needs,consider therapeutic alternatives and employ a narrow spectrum of antimicrobialwhenever possible.

Vogel says that while some of the information is common knowledge, theguidelines serve as a reminder for DVMs.

"It doesn't hurt to remind veterinarians to use appropriate considerationswhen treating patients with the aim of controlling possible antibiotic resistance,"he says. "It just makes sense."

The guidelines can be viewed online at www.avma.org.