Call for coordinated antimicrobial approach at veterinary diagnostic laboratories

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to human and animal health. Studies in human healthcare have demonstrated that antibiotic stewardship programmes (ASPs) can be successful in achieving a sustained reduction in antibiotic use and rates of bacterial drug-resistance without negatively impacting patient outcome. ASPs for vets have been developed that highlight best practice guidelines – examples include the BVA’s seven-point poster and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA)/ Small Animal Medicine Society (SAMSoc) and British Equine Veterinary Association’s (BEVA) Protect Me posters. A key …