I'm a big proponent of antimicrobial stewardship, which means we use antibiotics only when required & in the way that they were meant to be used. Essentially following label instructions for species, indications (diseases treated), dosages, routes of administration, & withdrawal periods.
Antibiotics have been available over the counter (OTC) for a long time, which means if you had a sick animal, you could drive on down to Tractor Supply & pick up some penicillin. Unfortunately what that meant was those antibiotics were not necessarily used in a way that made them effective. And it's not just about using the medications appropriately - it's also about storing & handling them appropriately too!
And perhaps you're thinking, Well, if the animal got better, it must've worked!
Well, no, not necessarily. It could be that the animal's body had already started fighting the disease & would've gotten better without the penicillin, it just so happened to be given prior to return to health. We can't really say that the animal required antibiotics & specifically penicillin at all! And inappropriate use, which includes using antibiotics for cases where they're not really needed, has contributed to antibiotic resistance.
Don't get me wrong: I am not saying that the livestock industries are the major drivers of antibiotic resistance. Human doctors who prescribe antibiotics for the common cold (which is a virus) without evidence of secondary infection, human patients who do not complete their prescribed antibiotic regimens, & overprescribing within the small animal world all contribute to this issue as well.
With all the news stories of antibiotic resistance, especially as it relates to human health, the Food & Drug Administration has made the decision to move all medically important antibiotics (which is all of them) to veterinary prescription.
The document where you can read all about it is called Guidance for Industry #263 (GFI 263). The FDA has put together some great easy-to-read resources about how it might affect your operations:
FAQs for Farmers & Ranchers: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/unpublished-judicious-use-antimicrobials/gfi-263-frequently-asked-questions-farmers-and-ranchers
Medications Affected by GFI 263: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/antimicrobial-resistance/list-approved-new-animal-drug-applications-affected-gfi-263
This isn't the first time this has happened though - California made this transition in 2018 & it has been very successful in getting vets on farms to establish a veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR), help with appropriate medication use, creating treatment protocols that contribute to improved animal health (including disease identification, vaccination protocols, nutrition, reproduction & more) & understanding of when & how to use medications.
Here's a great resource from the American Sheep Industry Association: https://www.sheepusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Vet-Client-Patient-Relationship_Standard.pdf
So the point of this post is to tell you this: If you don't already have a relationship with a veterinarian, now is the time to establish one. There will be a bit of a panic in June once some producers realize that GFI 263 is now in effect, which will likely prolong wait times to see a vet, establish that VCPR, & start your professional relationship.
Remember that vets want to help you prevent animal health problems, not just treat them! Prevention is better than treatment & I think it's safe to say we would all prefer to visit you a couple times a year for a farm walkthrough & health check rather than for animal emergencies!
Establish (or renew!) your VCPR!
