48 Economic optimization of selective dry cow treatment (Research paper; Scherpenzeel, 2018)

/in , , , , , , , , /by

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals \ Targeted use of antibiotics ; AMU reduction strategies
Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): Udder health status
Summary: The goal of this study was to identify a scenario with the lowest costs for mastitis associated with the dry period while restricting the percentage of cows that need to be dried off with dry cow antimicrobials. The costs of clinical/subclinical mastitis and the antimicrobial use were quantified. The economic impact of reducing the percentage of clinical mastitis was found to be much larger than reducing the bulk tank somatic cell count. The optimal percentage of cows to be dried off with antimicrobials depends on the udder health situation, expressed as the bulk tank somatic cell count and the occurrence of clinical mastitis. Selective dry cow treatment was economically more beneficial than blanket dry cow treatment, for all types of herds studied. Economic profits of selective dry cow treatment are greater if bulk tank somatic cell count and clinical mastitis incidence are lower.
48 Research paper – Scherpenzeel – 2018 – Economic optimization of selective dry cow treatment
Where to find the original material:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030217311098; https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13076
Country: NL

48 Research paper – Scherpenzeel – 2018 – Economic optimization of selective dry cow treatment

27 Quantitative assessment of antimicrobial resistance in livestock during the course of a nationwide antimicrobial use reduction in the Netherlands (Research paper; Dorado-Garcia, 2016)

/in , , , , , , , , /by

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance \ Antibiotic use
Species targeted: Pigs; Poultry; Dairy;
Age: Different for different species;
Outcome Parameter(s): Antimicrobial resistance
Summary: Evidence presented indicates that drug use history and co-selection of resistance are key elements
for perpetuation of resistance. Data suggest that recent Dutch policies aimed at reducing total use of antimicrobials and restricting the use of critically important antimicrobials have decreased E. coli resistance in the pig and veal calf production sectors while the impact on the dairy cattle and poultry sectors is less clear.
27 Research paper – Dorado-García – 2016 – Quantitative assessment of antimicrobial resistance in livestock during the course of a nationwide antimicrobi
Where to find the original material:
https://academic.oup.com/jac/article/71/12/3607/2631265; https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkw308
Country: NL

27 Research paper – Dorado-García – 2016 – Quantitative assessment of antimicrobial resistance in livestock during the course of a nationwide antimicrobi

19 Targeted mastitis treatment by The Danish Dairy Board (Farm Innovation)

/in , , , , , , , , /by

 

 

Significant Impact Group(s): Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals \ Targeted use of antibiotics ; AMU reduction strategies

Species targeted: Dairy;
Age: Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): better udder health; best strategy for mastitis treatment
Summary: Definition and control of mastitis in dairy cows by Consultant Veterinary Surgeons of
The Danish Dairy Board. The prognosis and eventual strategy for treatment should be based upon described examinations and test results as well as the owner and vet’s knowledge of the individual cow.
In Denmark the preventative work and combating of mastitis is implemented by means of a close cooperation between The Danish Dairy Board, The Mastitis Laboratory, the dairy farmer and the local veterinary surgeon. This work is lead by the Leading Veterinary Surgeon who is appointed and authorized by The Food Inspection Directorate.
19 Farm Innovation – Targeted mastitis treatment by The Danish Dairy Board
Where to find the original material: (in English)
http://katholm.com/Tekstfiler/1%20mastitis%20THE%20SURVILIANCE%20AND%20CONTROL%20OF%20%20MASTITIS.pdf;
Country: DK

19 Farm Innovation – Targeted mastitis treatment by The Danish Dairy Board

17 Indic@Vet by Ceva/Sanders

/in , , , , , , , /by

 

Significant Impact Group(s): AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance \ Antibiotic use

Species targeted: Rabbit; Pigs; Poultry;
Summary: Sanders and Ceva joined forces to launch Indic@Vet:
Indic @ Vet is an innovative and unique tool for monitoring the consumption of antibiotics in rabbit, meat poultry and egg and pig farming, developed by the company DBM for SANDERS in partnership with the French veterinary laboratory Ceva.
Indic @ Vet makes it possible to objectify, measure and enhance the actions put in place to reduce the use of antibiotics, to compare changes by production, sector or breeder, and with French or European benchmarks. It collects and correlates production data on the one hand, and data on prescriptions from volunteer veterinarians or breeders on the other. Based on drug consumption data and official calculation methods, a follow-up calculation of antibiotic consumption is carried out in order to view the official French and European indicators (mg / kg, ALEA, DDDvet, DCDvet) for each quarter or each batch of animals.
17 Tools & Checklists – Indic at Vet by Ceva Sanders
Where to find the original material: (in French;)
https://www.ceva-santeanimale.fr/Actualites-media/Actualites/Sanders-et-Ceva-s-associent-pour-lancer-Indic-Vet;
Country: France;

17 ToolsChecklists – Indic at Vet by Ceva Sanders

15 GVET by AACTING (Farm Innovation)

/in , , , , , , /by

 

Significant Impact Group(s): AMU reduction strategies \ Monitoring and surveillance \ Antibiotic use

Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young; Adult;
Outcome Parameter(s): It effects social and/or public health positively.
Summary: GVET is a voluntary, computerized register for all the treatments in pig farms. It is active since early 2017, and is run by the French Institute for pig and pork Industry (IFIP) in cooperation with The French Agency for Veterinary Medicinal Products, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) and Isagri, a private software company.
Data collection is available for subtopics like weight categories (sows, fatteners, weaners and sucklers) and input is asked about antibiotic treatment (like dosage, date of administration, duration, reasons of treatment, etc.).
Analysis is used for farmers and for national and European purposes. Also benchmarking will be performed.
15 Farm Innovation – GVET by AACTING
Where to find the original material: (in English)
https://aacting.org/matrix/gvet/?lid=1423;
Country: FR

 

15 Farm Innovation – GVET by AACTING

Antibiotic use monitoring and benchmarking

/in , /by

Measuring and monitoring antibiotic use has proven very helpful for one dairy farmer in the UK as seen in this video Mastitis – Monitoring prudent use of Antibiotics  

As part of a major retailer producer pool, this farmer’s milk buyer collected and benchmarked farm antibiotic usage against other dairy farmers in order to drive progress and help farmers see where improvements could be made. This was against a backdrop of national antibiotic reduction targets set by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance targets task force. This farm’s antibiotic use has been consistently below the national average and they completely eliminated the use of Critically Important Antibiotics as part of a farmer-led research project with the University of Bristol.  

The research project led by Dr Lisa Morgans encouraged farmers to learn from one another at regular farm workshops about practical ways they could improve animal health to reduce the need for antibiotics.  Medicine data was shared and each participant hosted their group twice on their farm for a farm walk and facilitated discussion. This helped farmers share knowledge and create practical solutions to improve animal health and welfare bespoke to their farms.  

Preventing and treating diarrhoea (caused by rotavirus/coronavirus/cryptosporidium) in pre-weaned calves

/in , , , /by

‘Prevention is better than cure’ for diarrhoea. This involves ensuring optimal hygiene at calving and in calf accommodation, regularly removing soiled bedding and steam cleaning, disinfecting and leaving calf pens empty, dry and in sunlight to rest between individuals/batches of calves. It is also important to clean feeding equipment with hot water and detergent between each feed. Depending on the bugs present on a farm, it is worth considering vaccination in adult cows to prevent the transmission of diseases like rotavirus to calves. 

When calves have diarrhoea, it is crucial to keep them hydrated and fed, as demonstrated in this video Optimising calf health – Managing Cryptosporidosis  

 

This farmer continues to feed milk as this provides the calf with energy, which supports their immune system in fighting disease. They also emphasize the importance of providing oral rehydration solutions to prevent dehydration, which can be purchased or a homemade solution can be used. This farmer combines glucose, salt, bicarbonate of soda, and a small amount of potassium chloride in a solution to provide calves with the necessary electrolytes when dehydrated. The imbalance in electrolytes caused by fluid loss from diarrhoea also causes acidosis, so the farmer provides a couple of tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda in the milk feeds to help combat this. 

Use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) helps to reduce fever and symptoms caused by inflammation so that calves feel better and continue to drink. Taking faecal samples to test for what is causing the diarrhoea so that the most effective treatment can be selected is key. These principles have led to this farmer reducing their calf mortality from 8% to zero and only using antimicrobials occasionally. 

Guidelines for antimicrobial resistance from the dairy sector

/in , , /by

 

 

 

Dairy farmers can set up biosecurity measures to prevent introduction of diseases and bacteria onto the farm; implement an effective herd health management programme, as well as for chronically infected cows; set up cleaning and disinfection strategies to prevent spread of diseases. Farmers need to ensure that the use of antimicrobials is based on adequate diagnostic and only used as directed, as well as avoid their preventive use. Withdrawal times must be respected and supported with a strategic residue testing of milk. Milking routines should not injure the animals or introduce contaminants into milk. Farmers should avoid feeding milk-containing residues to calves or other animals on the farm. Animal feed and water must be of suitable quantity and quality.  

Veterinary professionals ensure reliable diagnosis, prevention of diseases and consider alternatives to antimicrobial treatment. They should avoid treatment of incurable animals as well as self-curing diseases with antimicrobials, give clear advice on the appropriate use of an antimicrobial product, including the dose, rates and length of treatment, withholding periods, and recording. Veterinarians should declare and register to your national authorities all drugs prescribed on farm.  

The use of antimicrobials is only part of an animal health management programme that aims to limit disease in animals and improve animal welfare. Early detection of disease allows early intervention, and this minimises the need to use antimicrobials. Improved infection prevention and control measures limit disease spread and progressively reduce the usage of antimicrobial agents. 

EPRUMA best-practice guidelines for the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals

/in , /by

 

 

 

Several guidance documents relating to the prudent use of antimicrobials have been published by different public, professional and industry bodies. This resulted in better understanding/improved practices by veterinarians and animal owners/keepers. Much of the guidance is also readily accessible in different EU languages.

One of the bodies producing these guidance documents at EU level is EPRUMA, a European multi-stakeholder platform which has already released two best-practice guidelines (brochures) for the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals. You may find them on their website: www.epruma.eu

The brochures explain the role and benefits of antibiotics in animal health and the description of best-practices for their use. They also give guidance on indoor and free-range production, housing, biosecurity, nutrition, etc. and include a decision tree on the use of veterinary antibiotics in food-producing animals. The guidance should be, of course, further tailored to the local situation of an individual farm. The final implementation should be shared responsibility between the farmer and other professional visitors to the farm such as veterinarians, feed and husbandry experts, and biosecurity specialists.

Efforts made by farmers and these professional consultants, supported by all other stakeholders, will result in an optimal level of animal health and welfare. Consequently, this facilitates and drives the responsible use of veterinary medicines, according to the principle ‘as little as possible and as much as necessary’.