Today marks European Antimicrobial Awareness Day - the annual drive to encourage the public and the medical and vet professions to use antibiotics responsibly. This year we've teamed up with Public Health England (PHE) and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to encourage thousands of pet owners to pledge to use antibiotics responsibly and step forward as "Antibiotic Guardians". Antibiotic resistance means that an antibiotic has lost its ability to effectively control or kill the bacteria for which it has been given. Whilst resistance is a natural process, the inappropriate and overuse of antibiotics can speed up the development of antibiotic resistance. Infections caused by resistant bacteria have become a major threat to human and animal health. Treatment options are becoming increasingly limited and they can lead to death in severe cases.
The UK is a nation of proud animal lovers, keeping an estimated nine million dogs, eight million cats, over one million pet rabbits and 25 million indoor fish. Despite this many pet and horse owners do not realise that animals, like humans, can contract antibiotic resistant bugs, such as MRSA and even urinary tract infections. In support of 2015 European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD), which runs alongside World Antibiotic Awareness Week, PHE, VMD and BMF are calling on members of the public including pet owners to commit to tackling antibiotic resistance by becoming Antibiotic Guardians. Antibiotic Guardian is a campaign led by PHE where people are asked to make one pledge about a personal action they will take to help combat antibiotic resistance. Dedicated pledges that pet owners can take in becoming Antibiotic Guardians include:- To help reduce the risk of my animal getting an infection which requires antibiotic treatment, I will keep them healthy through exercise, good nutrition, relevant vaccination, suitable accommodation and by having regular veterinary health checks
- If my vet gives me antibiotics for my animal, I will follow the instructions provided and I will not change the dosage or stop the therapy early
- If my vet gives me antibiotics for my animal, I will not re-use antibiotics given for an earlier illness or give them to other animals or animal owners and I will dispose of unused or out of date products properly
- I will not request antibiotics if my vet has not recommended or given them to me
- I will support vets’ efforts to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance by better understanding where and when antibiotics are needed e.g. by being familiar with the Protect ME campaign from the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA)
“Just like people, pets sometimes become unwell and need antibiotics to get better. It is important that the antibiotics are taken as prescribed and at the right intervals to keep the right concentration of antibiotic in the bloodstream to kill the infection. Even if your pet isn’t keen on the idea of taking tablets, we are urging pet owners to ensure they do, and always as prescribed.”
Professor Pete Borriello, Chief Executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, said:
“Resistance to antibiotics is a global health issue. We all have a responsibility as patients and animal owners to use antibiotics correctly so they remain effective in keeping us and our animals healthy. “Animal owners can take action to use antibiotics responsibly by following the treatment instructions, completing the course and not re-using or requesting them. By signing up as Antibiotic Guardians to do this we can all help reduce the risk antibiotic resistance poses to human and animal health.”
