Antimicrobial resistance – how your practice can make a difference

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat. It is a true one-health crisis, as human and veterinary healthcare face the same clinical problems, share closely related bacteria and use similar antibiotics. The resistance genes, moreover, are often identical. Inappropriate use of broad-spectrum systemic antibiotics is the single biggest factor selecting for resistance. Responsible use can reduce antibiotic use and the prevalence of resistance without affecting clinical outcomes. However, this requires that veterinarians and animal owners act together. We will look at some of the drivers behind antibiotic use and discuss how to address these. Common reasons for systemic antimicrobial use in dogs and cats include dermatitis, respiratory disease, urinary tract infections, and gastrointestinal problems. Most infections involve a dysbiosis of the resident microbiome rather than a primary infection. Failure to manage this appropriately drives repeated antibiotic use and selection for resistance. We’ll discuss how to reduce antibiotic use without compromising clinical outcomes using canine pyoderma as an example.

This webinar is sponsored by ASAP Laboratory.

Recording from 12.09.2018