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Guidance
Guidelines and guidance on the responsible use of veterinary medicines
Guidelines and guidance for vets, farmers and animal keepers on the responsible use of antimicrobials.
This list brings together links to guidance and guidelines on responsible use of antimicrobials in animals. It covers information produced by government and animal health organisations.
List of guidelines and guidance on the responsible use of antimicrobials in animals
Links correct as of: February 2018 – if you find a link no longer works, or you would like to add to this list please email: darc@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk
British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy | Practical guide to avoiding milk antibiotic residues | April 2014 |
British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| Horses | ‘Protect Me’ resources | Unknown |
British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| All | BSAVA prescribing cascade guidelines | March 2014 |
| Small animals | Position statement on the responsible use of antibacterials | Unknown |
| Small animals | PROTECT material (information to support practices in discussing and drawing up practice guidelines on responsible antibacterial use) | Unknown |
| Small animals | Clinical Conundrum: A case of alopecia, crusts and pruritus in a young Great Dane | Unknown |
| Small animals | How to use antibiotics in surgical patients | Unknown |
| Small animals | BSAVA Guide to the Use of Veterinary Medicines - including prescribing, supplying and dispensing procedures and general responsible use | Unknown |
| Small animals | A ‘Guide to the Guidelines’ | Unknown |
| Small animals | Antibacterials and antibacterial resistance | Unknown |
| Small animals | Antiparasitic resistance | Unknown |
British Veterinary Association (BVA)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| All | Guidance and resources regarding antimicrobial use in veterinary practice | Unknown |
| Companion Animals | Client Leaflet: Your role as a pet owner when using antibiotics | November 2013 |
| Farm animals | Client Leaflet: Your role as a farmer when using antibiotics | November 2013 |
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| Livestock | Guidance document on Responsible Use of Antimicrobials in Livestock | November 2014 |
European Platform for the Responsible Use of Medicines in Animals (EPRUMA)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| Food producing | Factsheet and flow diagram to explain the cascade procedure | November 2011 |
| All | Poster: responsible use of medicines in animals - what does it mean? | May 2012 |
Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| Companion Animals | Antibiotic Use Guidelines for Companion Animal Practice | October 2014 |
| Companion Animals | Necessary vs unnecessary antimicrobial use addressed via flow diagram: ‘Should I use antimicrobials in this patient?’ | October 2014 |
| Companion Animals | Key recommendations for hygiene and infection control in veterinary practice | October 2014 |
| Companion Animals | Recommendations for appropriate antimicrobial therapy | October 2014 |
Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| All | National guidelines and FVE leaflets on responsible use of antimicrobials | Unknown |
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| All | Advice booklet: Safe use of veterinary medicines by animal handlers | August 2012 |
National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| Cattle | Leaflet outlining responsible use of antimicrobials in cattle - including advice on responsible prescribing, treatment records, medicine storage & disposal | Unknown |
| Sheep | Guidelines on Sheep Medicines and Prescribing Practices | Unknown |
National Office of Animal Health (NOAH)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| All | Responsible Use of Antibiotics | May 2016 |
| All | Antibiotics for Animal Health and Welfare: An Overview | May 2016 |
| All | Responsible Use of Animal Medicines | May 2016 |
| All | Antibiotic Resistance | May 2016 |
Pig Veterinary Society (PVS)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| Pigs | Document outlining prescribing principles for antimicrobials and recommending a 2-part approach to minimise risk of AMR transfer | January 2016 |
| Pigs | Best Practice Guide to Antibiotic Usage Review on Pig Farms | October 2015 |
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| All | Guidelines for veterinary medicines - including prescription and supply guidelines, choice of medicinal products, the prescribing cascade and AMR | October 2017 |
Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| Poultry and game | Responsible use of Antimicrobials in Poultry and Game Production | April 2014 |
| Pigs | Responsible use of Antimicrobials in Pig Production | November 2013 |
| Cattle | Responsible Use of Antimicrobials in Cattle Production | May 2015 |
| Dairy | Responsible Use of Antimicrobials in Dry Cow Management | April 2015 |
| Sheep | Responsible use of Antimicrobials in Sheep Production | October 2004 |
| Fish | Responsible use of Antimicrobials in Fish Production | July 2007 |
| All | Responsible Use of Antimicrobials in Veterinary Practice: the 7-point plan | 2015 |
Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| Sheep | Sustainable Worm Control Strategies For Sheep (detailed document) - Chapter 6, p.33, lays out the SCOPS Guidelines for anthelmintic use & worm control in sheep | June 2012 |
Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| All | Information and resources on the government’s plans to slow the growth of antimicrobial resistance | November 2017 |
| All | Code of Practice on the responsible use of animal medicines on farms | December 2014 |
| All | Responsible antibiotic use under the prescribing cascade | August 2014 |
| All | LA-MRSA: information for people who work with livestock and in abattoirs | November 2015 |
| All | Handling of manure and slurry to reduce antibiotic resistance | August 2016 |
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| All | The OIE Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance and the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials | November 2016 |
World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
| Species | Summary of Guidance and Associated Web-link | Review Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs and cats | Guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats | January 2016 |
Published 22 July 2016
Last updated 19 February 2018 + show all updates
Last updated 19 February 2018 + show all updates
- Minor updates and additions
- First published.