By Heidi Carroll
Animal Care Wednesday Webinars – 2017
During the February 1st Animal Care Wednesday Webinar, we heard one of the leading experts discuss the challenging social concerns of antibiotic resistance. Michael Apley, Frick Professor of Clinical Sciences with the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, challenged listeners to better understand the difference between judicious use and stewardship of antibiotics by reviewing the many factors involved in epidemiology (study of incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases).
Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Considerations
A change in how antibiotics are authorized to be used in food animals is at the forefront of the antibiotic resistance discussion. Authorization by a veterinarian, through a veterinary feed directive (VFD) or a prescription, is how farmers and ranchers now have access to antibiotics used in feed or water, respectively. Veterinarians hold a huge responsibility and additionally are held accountable for how the products are used. Dr. Apley highlighted a “checklist” that veterinarians should go through for prescribing a VFD treatment for an animal.
- Do I have a valid VCPR (Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship) to authorize this use?
- Is there a reason (diagnosis) to use the product, or is it just habit?
- Is it legal? (label directions allow its use in the species)
- Is it proven effective?
- Are there any residue issues to consider (in meat or milk)?
- Are there any issues with antibiotic resistance?
Beyond this checklist, an additional overview discussed the U.S. uses and sales of the “Medically Important” and “Not Currently Medically Important” products. The tetracyclines (primarily oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline) make up approximately 70% of the total antibiotics sold for use in food animals. Approximately 95% of the antibiotics sold for food animal use in the United States are labeled for use in feed or water.