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A Beef Producers Guide for Judicious Use of Antibiotics in Cattle

A Beef Producers Guide for Judicious Use of Antibiotics in Cattle
1. Prevent Problems: Emphasize appropriate husbandry and hygiene, routine health examinations, and vaccinations. 2. Adhere to FDA Guidance: Follow label instructions and FDA Guidance for the use of all antibiotics. The use of antibiotics medically important in human medicine should only be used after careful consideration. If medically important feed grade antibiotics are used, they must be under the guidance of a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). 3. Select and Use Antibiotics Carefully: Consult with your veterinarian on the selection and use of antibiotics, under the premise of a valid Veterinarian Client-Patient-Relationship (VCPR). Have a valid reason to use an antibiotic. Appropriate therapeutic alternatives should be considered prior to using antimicrobial therapy. 4. Use the Laboratory to Help You Select Antibiotics: Cultures and sensitivity test results should be used to aid in the selection of antibiotics, whenever possible. 5. Combination Antibiotic Therapy Is Discouraged Unless There Is Clear Evidence the Specific Practice Is Beneficial: Select and dose an antibiotic to affect a cure. 6. Avoid Inappropriate Antibiotic Use: Confine therapeutic antibiotic use to proven clinical indications, avoiding inappropriate uses such as for viral infections without bacterial complication. 7. Treatment Programs Should Reflect Best Use Principles: Regimens for therapeutic antimicrobial use should be optimized using current pharmacological information and principles. 8. Treat the Fewest Number of Animals Possible: Limit antibiotic use to sick or at-risk animals. 9. Treat for the Recommended Time Period: To minimize the potential for bacteria to become resistant to antimicrobials. 10. Avoid Environmental Contamination with Antibiotics: Steps should be taken to minimize antimicrobials reaching the environment through spillage, contaminated ground run off or aerosolization. 11. Keep Records of Antibiotic Use: Accurate records of treatment and outcome should be used to evaluate therapeutic regimens and always follow proper meat and milk withdrawal times. Keep records for a minimum of 2 years or longer based on state and local regulations. 12. Follow Label Directions: Follow label instructions and never use antibiotics other than as labeled without a valid veterinary prescription. 13. Extra Label Antibiotic Use Must follow FDA Guidance: Prescriptions, including extra label use of medications must meet the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) amendments to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and its regulations. This includes having a valid VCPR. 14. Medically Important Antibiotic Use Should be Limited to Treat, Prevent or Control Disease: Medically important antibiotics should not be used if the principle intent is to improve performance. Antibiotics that are medically important to human medicine may not be used for performance. Guidelines developed from AVMA, AABP and AVC guidance on Appropriate Veterinary Antibiotic Use