Vets do you bit for National Pet Month 1st April – 5th May

Do your bit and help spread awareness of pet infections this April. Owner awareness charity the Bella Moss Foundation (BMF) is urging practices to make a concerted drive to educate owners on infection control as part of this year’s National Pet Month (NPM) campaign. Each year, NPM helps coordinate events around the country – at schools, shops, vet practices and community events – aimed at promoting various aspects of responsible pet ownership. This year, BMF wants to make sure vets and owners stay alert to the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and is calling on vets and nurses to display educational posters and talk owners through the rationale behind giving or withholding antibiotics. BMF has produced a poster in association with Vetoquinol for practices running NPM events to put up alongside other event materials, to help raise awareness of AMR issues in pets, and remind owners to dose their animals as prescribed by their vet. Urging practitioners to spread the message of responsible antimicrobial usage to clients, BMF founder Jill Moss said:

“There’s plenty of information about diet, health and exercise but so little information on antibiotics and AMR – and how are owners supposed to know?

“There is a knowledge gap there, and vets are in a vital position to promote both compliance and AMR awareness.” Backing the BMF waiting room poster, NOAH chief executive and NPM chairman Phil Sketchley said: “NPM is all about showcasing the best that veterinary practice has to offer for the health and welfare of our pets. “The BMF poster helps support veterinary surgeons’ prescribing decisions and gives practical advice to owners on using antibiotics prescribed to help ensure them remain effective.” Meanwhile, TV vet and BMF advisor Zara Boland called on colleagues in practice to think about the one health implications of AMR. She said: “We’re now in a period of increasing antibiotic resistance - due to the widespread and sometimes indiscriminate use of antibiotics, bacteria are evolving to resist traditional antimicrobial therapies. “This was first observed in the field of human medicine in the form of MRSA and is now also of increasing prevalence in veterinary medicine.” To download the poster and learn more about BMF www.thebellamossfoundation.com/national-pet-month-1st-april-5th-may/ For more information about setting up NMP events and to find events near you visit www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk Contacts Jill Moss founder BMF info@thebellamossfoundation.com Mobile 07860 879079 BMF stand at BSAVA 2014 ICC Hall 1 stand 15A