What is Antimicrobial Resistance? A microbe that has developed resistance to medical treatment or medicine. Individuals who choose not to use medication to treat illness. When an animal becomes resistant to antimicrobials. When should antimicrobials be used? Only when prescribed by a veterinarian or trained animal health professional. As soon as I suspect one animal to be sick. Following my habits and personal knowledge, as soon as I think it is necessary for the good of my farm. Where is it okay to purchase antimicrobials for use with your animals? Directly from the wholesaler to get the best deal. From your neighbour who has extra medicine left over from treating his animals. From a regulated pharmacy or dispensary, after veterinary prescription. All of the above Antimicrobial-resistant microbes can spread to other animals or humans through: Contact with an animal that has an antimicrobial-resistant infection. Contact with an object used to care for an animal with an antimicrobial-resistant infection (e.g. water bucket, needle or syringe). Contact with food or water carrying antimicrobial-resistant microbes. All of the above What can happen if my animals get an antimicrobial-resistant infection? My animal may be sick for a longer time. My animal’s sickness may get worse while being treated with medication. My animal may need more expensive medicine. All of the above When you undertake an antimicrobial treatment, how should you use it? As soon as I notice illness, and I stop using it as soon as the animal seems to have recovered. By increasing the amount of medicine used to have a faster response to the treatment, and by extending the length of time to make sure the disease does not come back. By following the prescription of the veterinarian or trained animal health professional: length of treatment and dosing instructions. What health information should you keep about your animals? Records of their names. Records of illness treated, antimicrobials used and laboratory results when available. Records of their preferred food type. All of the above I can help tackle antimicrobial resistance if I: Get antimicrobials from friends or other unofficial sources to treat the sick animals as soon as possible. Keep my animal/herd vaccinations up to date, and use sanitation and good husbandry practices. Stop using antimicrobials to treat my animal's illnesses. 2018-10-10
