How Can Veterinarians Use Antibiotics "Judiciously?"

Larry Granger, DVM, senior leader at the US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, discusses how veterinarians can use antibiotics judiciously.

Interview Transcript (slightly modified for readability)

“Veterinarians need to use antibiotics judiciously; there is a definition of ‘judicious use,’ and of course, we’re at the AVMA convention, and AVMA has the definition of ‘judicious use’ of antibiotics. Veterinarians should be familiar with those definitions and understand that the responsible use of antibiotics is their responsibility.

As veterinarians prescribe antibiotics, they need to always have in mind the need [some key considerations]: the specificity of the antibiotic that they prescribe for the condition that they’re treating, not [to] over-treat, not [to] use broad spectrum antibiotics when the condition is unknown in an attempt to be right and get lucky, rather to use them in a very responsible manner.”