New antibiotic rules for pets, livestock

The use of antibiotics in animals has been a growing concern for many years with the development of bacterial resistance to standard human antibiotics. Antibiotics need to be managed to slow the development of this resistance for human and animal use. Antibiotics used for livestock was primarily for animal health, although, it was known that animals receiving antibiotics without a specific ailment gained weight faster with general antibiotic use. With the concern for antibiotic resistance and government regulations on antibiotic use, the livestock industry currently looks at disease management and not weight gain. In many situations, antibiotics used by the livestock industry are different than those used for humans. Unfortunately, some companies take advantage of consumer ignorance. They promote that their products are antibiotic free and broadcast commercials that imply competitors use antibiotics even though that food industry does not use antibiotics (none of the companies use antibiotics). It leaves the unknowing consumer suspicious of industry practices. It is a marketing flag to me when I see a company advertise antibiotic free. Animals that are sick from disease may need an antibiotic, but government regulations do not allow animals being treated to be processed that still have antibiotic residue in its meat. However, to ensure the public that livestock producers are effectively using antibiotics, the Food and Drug Administration enacted the Veterinary Feed Directive in 2017 — that required closed veterinary supervision in the use of antibiotics. Before this directive, many small livestock producers could buy common antibiotics over the counter at farm stores without a veterinarian prescription. Regulations have become more rigid since that time. The following discussion on regulations is from information provided by the Ohio State University Veterinary Extension Specialist, Dr. Gustavo Schuenemann. In June of 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that all medically important antimicrobials will move from over the counter to prescription within a 2-year implementation period. The GFI #263 bulletin from the FDA outlined the process for animal drug suppliers to change the approved marketing status of certain antimicrobial drugs for use in non-food (companion), food-producing animals, or both, that are currently approved with OTC marketing status. In 2003, FDA ranked antimicrobials according to their relative importance to human medicine: "critically important," "highly important," or "important." The FDA considers all antimicrobial drugs listed in Appendix A of FDA's bulletin GFI #152 to be "medically important." On September 14, 2018, the FDA unveiled a 5-year action plan for supporting antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary settings. The FDA is implementing GFI #263 as part of its broader plan to control antimicrobial resistance via the judicious use of antimicrobials in animals within our community and food supply. This process is driven by the concept that medically important antimicrobial drugs should only be used in animals when deemed necessary for the treatment, control, or prevention of specific diseases. The FDA, via GFI #263, places the responsibility for the use of medically important antimicrobials under the oversight of a licensed veterinarian (from large to small animals). By June of 2023, all medically important antibiotics currently available at most feed or farm supply stores will now require veterinary oversight (written Rx) to be used in animals, even if the animals are not intended for food production. Examples of affected antibiotics include injectable penicillin and oxytetracycline. In addition, some retail suppliers who were able to sell these drugs/products in the past may no longer sell them after June of 2023. This means that small and large animal veterinarians should be prepared for an increase in calls and visits from animal owners who previously may have purchased these drugs over the counter at their local farm supply store. To continue using medically important antimicrobials, you may need to establish a veterinary-client-patient relationship. Consult your veterinarian for more information. A veterinarian-client-patient-relationship is defined by the American Veterinary Medical Association as the basis for interaction among veterinarians, their clients, and their patients and is critical to the health of your animal(s). The practical explanation is that it is a formal relationship that you have with a veterinarian who serves as your primary contact for all veterinary services and is familiar with you, your livestock/animals, and your farm operation. This veterinarian is referred to as your veterinarian of record, and both the VoR and the client should sign a form to document this relationship. This regulation will affect all animal care from companion dogs and cats to backyard poultry, rabbits and show pigs to large livestock farms. The same restrictions will apply to all companion and farm animal species. Health protocols will be customized for individuals and farm-specific and practicing veterinarians will be often asked to develop and write protocols for individual farms, particularly health protocols. Injectable antimicrobials alone will not work as intended if animals are experiencing pain (drop feed and water intake) and/or dehydration. OSU Veterinary Extension is available to review your health protocols but must submitted by a practicing veterinarian to Dr. Gustavo Schuenemann at schuenemann.5@osu.edu Like everyone else, the livestock industry cares about the proper management of antibiotics and the growing concern about bacteria being resistant to human antibiotics. The new regulation has been created to set guidelines for the livestock industry, large and small, and pet owners to develop a close relationship with veterinarians to ensure the proper use of antibiotics. Lentz is agriculture and natural resources educator for Ohio State University Extension — Hancock County.