BEVA has organised a survey to find out more about antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in equine veterinary practice. Launched at BEVA Congress on 12 September 2019 the survey is directed at all veterinary surgeon members and gives participants the chance to enter a free prize draw to win £500 of BEVA CPD vouchers.
Antibiotic resistance is increasing throughout human and veterinary medicine. At the same time there are very few new antibiotics being produced. This means that there is an increasing population of “superbugs” which are resistant to many or all antibiotics and in some cases cannot be treated successfully.
While antimicrobials remain essential for the health and welfare of horses suffering from bacterial infections it’s imperative for vets to protect their usage to maintain their effectiveness for the future.
The survey has been designed by Amie Wilson and Dr Gina Pinchbeck at the University of Liverpool and Tim Mair the incoming President of BEVA. The intention is to help fill in gaps in knowledge about how antimicrobials are being used in equine practice and also the current landscape of resistant infections encountered in equine practice.
Tim Mair said: “This survey will assess any changes in prescribing of antimicrobials in equine practice since the last survey in 2009. In addition, we will collect data on the current frequency and types of antimicrobial resistant infections seen by clinicians in all areas of equine practice and what infection control and audit practices are currently using to combat this”.
The survey results should lead to a greater understanding of the role of antimicrobial treatment in the overall epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in horses and will help protect antibiotics for the future of equine and human health.
If you are an equine vet and a member of BEVA, don’t miss your chance to participate in this important survey and potentially win £500 of CPD vouchers. Visit the BEVA stand any time during congress or complete it online.
The results will be announced to coincide with European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November 2019.
