Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Use of colistin in animals 'should be reduced'
pig vet
In the next three to four years, the EMA says all European Union member states should cut the use of colistin in animals to 5mg colistin/PCU.

EMA advice could see colistin sales fall by 65 per cent

EU member states have been advised to minimise their use of colistin in animals, to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said medicines containing colistin should only be used as a second line treatment for animals.

The move follows the recent discovery of a gene (MCR-1) that allows bacteria to become resistant to colistin - a 'last resort' antibiotic used in human medicine to treat infections caused by multi drug resistant bacteria.

As the gene can be transferred between different types of bacteria, the finding prompted fears of a pan-resistant bacteria.

Since being initially identified in China last year, MCR-1 has been found in the EU and is thought to be 'circulating' in the US.

In the next three to four years, the EMA says all European Union member states should cut the use of colistin in animals to 5mg colistin/population correction unit (PCU) - the estimated weight of livestock and slaughtered animals. The recommendation could see a 65 per cent reduction in sales of colistin for veterinary use, across the EU.

Member states are, however, encouraged to set even stricter targets - ideally below 1mg/PCU.

The Antimicrobial Advice Ad Hoc Expert Group (AMEG), which was asked to reevaluate colistin use, makes it clear that other antimicrobials should not be used to compensate for the reduction in sales of colistin. Instead, other measures should be sought, such as improved farming conditions, biosecurity and livestock vaccination.

AMEG also recommends that colistin be reclassified as a category 2 medicine, reserved for treating infections in animals when there is no other alternative. The list contains classes of antimicrobials that are critical to human health.

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.