Overprescribing and lack of sensitivity testing key drivers for antimicrobial resistance in animals, survey shows

In BVA’s latest Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey, 87% of vets cited this as their top concern, followed by potential enforced restriction on veterinary use of antimicrobials in the future (reported by 85% of vets) and the inability to control infections after surgery (reported by 73% of vets).

The key reasons cited by vets as the main drivers of AMR in animals are overprescribing (61%), poor owner compliance (59%) and lack of sensitivity testing (55%). 77% of vets in clinical practice also said they’d experienced prescribing pressure, when clients came to them with an expectation that they’d be given antibiotics.

British Veterinary Association President Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux said:

“Antimicrobial resistance is a concern for animal and human health globally. Our latest Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey shows that vets in the UK, like their counterparts in human medicine, remain worried about the excessive and improper use of these medicines leading to the inability to treat infections.

“We’ve made huge progress in refining and reducing antimicrobial use in farm animals in the UK, but we can do more across all species. We know that every use of antimicrobials increases the risk of selection for resistant bacteria, so we must ensure that our use of antimicrobials is responsible. This includes creating practice-based protocols for common infections, undertaking bacterial culture and sensitivity testing whenever possible, and reporting treatment failures to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).

“We must also continue working with clients to avoid the need for antimicrobials in the first place through preventative healthcare and encourage their responsible use and disposal through initiatives like the Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.” 

BVA is urging vets in clinical practice to take a look at its 7-point-plan poster for advice on how to use antimicrobials responsibly.