VPN Plus+ ExclusiveThe Lyme-positive dog: Is it necessary to treat a blue dot?February 19, 2025So, do we treat all 9.55 percent that test positive, even if they are asymptomatic and testing confirms exposure but cannot tell us which ones will, if ever, develop clinical signs? That is a lot of antibiotics to doll out for often asymptomatic patients. Sadly, because the disease is not reportable in animals, we have a much less clear picture of the true incidence of clinical cases than in human medicine, which also has significant underreporting concerns.
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A closer look at antimicrobial stewardship, a fundamental One Health issueAugust 12, 2024The goal is to ensure veterinarians help in minimizing the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), protecting our patients, and the future health of other animals, people, and the environment.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveThe Eye is the Window: Ocular Manifestations of Systemic DiseaseJune 12, 2024In this session: Anne Metzler, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVO, discusses ocular lesions can be clues to underlying systemic disease. On the flip side, systemic disease can result in ophthalmic pathology ranging from incidental to vision-threatening. Comprehensive physical and ophthalmic examination will lead to the most complete assessment of a patient’s health. Knowledge of ocular manifestations of systemic disease facilitates forming differential and definitive diagnoses, as well as support patient vision and ocular health.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveAntimicrobial Stewardship in Companion Animal MedicineMay 10, 2024In this session: Laurel Redding, VMD, PhD, DACVPM, discusses antimicrobial stewardship practices that can be undertaken at the level of the individual practitioner and, in the process, achieve better patient outcomes.
Practicing antimicrobial stewardshipFebruary 1, 2023 Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), particularly as related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), should be considered daily due to its global prioritization by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other human and veterinary key groups.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveAntimicrobial stewardship: What it is and why it mattersAugust 4, 2020By Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMAAntimicrobials have tremendous therapeutic benefits in human and veterinary patients. After vaccination, antibiotics are probably the most important medical intervention of the 20th century in terms of reducing suffering and death. Of course, antimicrobials can also have significant adverse effects. And any use of antimicrobials, including appropriate therapeutic use, creates a selection pressure that can result in emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) or an increase in the abundance of resistant bacteria. Adverse effects and the development of resistance reduce the potential benefits of antibiotics. Antimicrobial stewardship is the concept of using antibiotics in a manner that maximizes their benefits, minimizes risks, and conserves the effectiveness of these important drugs.1 Changing when and how we use antibiotics is the key to achieving these goals. Antimicrobial stewardship involves three general strategies: 1) Preventing infectious disease occurrence 2) Reducing overall antimicrobial use 3) Using antimicrobials in ways that maximize the benefits, minimize the adverse effects, and reduce the development of antibiotic resistance Preventing infections Preventing bacterial infections automatically reduces the need for, and hence the use of, antimicrobials. This involves encouraging clients to provide appropriate husbandry and preventive care, including vaccination, proper nutrition, isolation of sick animals, and other prophylactic measures. Prevention of …
FDA five-year plan to combat rising threat of antibiotic overuseAugust 3, 2018In its ongoing effort to combat antimicrobial resistance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it will implement a five-year blueprint outlining the administration's strategy to "advance antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary settings." As part of the FDA's regulatory mission, its Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of animal drugs, including antimicrobials. Progress has been made, but additional work is needed to address the complex challenge of antimicrobial resistance, the organization said in a statement. "At FDA, we believe that the concept of antimicrobial stewardship encompasses several important principles of judicious use," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD. "These are critical to slowing the rate at which bacteria develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs. In simple terms, we believe medically important antimicrobial drugs should only be used when necessary to treat, control or prevent disease. In addition, when such use is necessary, these antimicrobials should be used in an optimal manner. They should only be used under the oversight of a licensed veterinarian." The administration's plan, which will cover fiscal years 2019 - 2023, will focus three goals: Aligning antimicrobial drug product use with the principles of antimicrobial stewardship Supporting …
