70 per cent of vets said they feel their clients are not aware of the gravity of the issue of antimicrobial resistance.

Campaign calls on clients to accept their vet’s clinical advice

The UK government has launched a campaign urging pet owners to trust their vet on the use of antibiotics.

Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss is calling on pet owners to remember that antibiotics are not always the best treatment. The move comes after a BVA survey found many clients come to appointments with an expectation that their pet will be prescribed antibiotics.

“We are a nation of animal lovers, and are committed to having some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world, she said. “We all want to take care of our pets which is why it’s important to remember that antibiotics are not always the best treatment.

“If that’s what your vet says – trust your vet. We all have a part to play in tackling the threat that is antibiotic resistance and reduce it wherever possible.”

BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey found almost 90 per cent of vets said clients came to appointments with an expectation they will provide antibiotics for their pet. Some 70 per cent also said they feel their clients are not aware of the gravity of the issue of antimicrobial resistance.

Commenting on the findings, BVA president John Fishwick said: “Vets are working hard to reduce the threat of antibiotic resistance to ensure these vital medicines can be used in the future. It is incredibly important that pet owners follow veterinary advice and trust their vet’s clinical judgement.”

The Trust Your Vet campaign has been launched by the government alongside Defra, the BSAVA and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. It calls on pet owners to accept their vet’s clinical advice if further tests are needed or if their vet says that antibiotics are not required.

BSAVA president John Fishwick said: “Antimicrobial resistance is a major problem in all species, so trust your vet to give professional and impartial advice on the correct use of antibiotics to help not only your pet, but the whole pet population."

To help veterinary practices raise awareness of the campaign, the Animal and Plant Health Agency has produced a poster which can be downloaded from the BVA’s website. It has also produced a film on what vets are doing to tackle AMR and a leaflet on how to use antibiotics responsibly.