New Zealand veterinarians call for preventing drug-resistant infections developing

WELLINGTON, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) — The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) is calling on animal owners to work with their veterinarians to keep animals healthy and help prevent drug-resistant infections from developing, in an effort to mark the World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week, which falls on Nov. 18-24.

Owners are being urged to vaccinate their animals against preventable diseases and keep these up-to-date; isolate sick and potentially infectious animals away from healthy ones; and provide a well-balanced diet and continued access to shade and shelter, to help stop animals becoming unwell, a NZVA statement said on Monday.

The World AMR Awareness Week is a global campaign to address the issue of AMR that threatens human and animal health. The World Health Organization lists AMR as a top 10 global health threat to people, animals and the environment.

Total antibiotic use in all New Zealand animals has fallen in recent years. These efforts are contributing to the NZVA’s aspirational goal that by 2030, New Zealand will not need antibiotics for the maintenance of animal health and wellness, according to NZVA.

Reducing the need for antibiotic treatment helps safeguard these critical medicines for the future, said NZVA Head of Veterinary Services – Companion Animal Sally Cory.

“The more we can keep animals well, the less frequently antibiotics may need to be used, and the less chance there is of harmful bacteria becoming difficult or impossible to treat,” Cory said, adding that antibiotic-resistant infections are a significant threat.

Owner awareness of how precious antibiotics are is an ongoing challenge, she said, adding if animal owners are prescribed an antibiotic for their pets or stock, it is critical that they follow the vet’s instructions on the amount, frequency, and length of time it needs to be given.

For farmers, having an effective and comprehensive vaccination program is key to preventing illness, as many diseases can be effectively vaccinated against, Cory said.

Owners should also let their veterinarian know if their animal isn’t responding to antibiotics, as they may need more investigations and a different approach, she said, adding this does not necessarily mean they need another antibiotic or a bigger dose, but a different course of action might be needed. ■