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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 19th November 2013
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Boost in antimicrobial best practice
Professor Mark Bowen, University of Nottingham
Two thirds of equine practices now have written policies

The percentage of equine veterinary practices with policies on antimicrobial use in horses has seen a significant boost over the past year, according to the BEVA.

A survey by the association last year found that only one per cent of equine practices had written policies on the responsible use of antimicrobials - a figure which has risen to 66 per cent in just 12 months.

Last year, the BEVA launched its Protect ME campaign to promote antimicrobial stewardship. Mark Bowen, BEVA Council member and professor of veterinary internal medicine at the University of Nottingham, said: "To date we have had around 2500 downloads of BEVA’s Protect ME toolkit…

"We are delighted with the profession’s voluntary engagement with this important issue. It clearly demonstrates the weight equine practice places on preserving effective antibiotics for the future."

This year's Protect ME campaign will focus on client education. Fact sheets, posters and light-hearted comic strips have been created by the BEVA for members to share with their clients, at the surgery or via social media.

The resources are aimed at helping practices to explain to horse owners about the significance of antimicrobial resistance, to help them understand why antimicrobials are not always required.

The Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) has adopted an antimicrobial stewardship policy in its author guidelines - the first publication in the world to do so. Other journals are now being encouraged to follow suit.

EVJ editor Celia Marr said: "There has been widespread support for EVJ’s antimicrobial stewardship policy by authors, indicating the importance that all parts of the equine profession place on the judicious use of antimicrobials. EVJ will be releasing a special online issue on antimicrobial resistance in 2014 to reiterate our commitment."

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."