Field level study to understand dimensions of antimicrobial use in dairy farms of Punjab

As a disease control measure on dairy farms for diseased animals, ensuring prudent antimicrobial use is a necessary step. In this perspective, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has been an emerging global threat cutting across boundaries which is a serious threat to humans and dairy animals. Thus research on antimicrobial use practices and veterinarian prescribing behaviour is critical in achieving national efforts of managing AMR as far as dairy sector is concerned. In this context of antimicrobial use in dairy farming, the study was conducted in Punjab state of Northern India. Multistage stratified random sampling technique was applied to get the first hand information from 180 farmers and 60 veterinary doctors. None of the dairy farmers in the study area were following withdrawal period after their sick animal was administered with antimicrobial. Garett method of ranking on importance of treatment sources by respondents ranked the veterinary doctor first position with paravet ranked second. Prescribing behaviour of the veterinary doctors revealed prior experience of treatment and prompt results i.e. quick relief to animals as decisive factor in antimicrobial administration. Empirical research findings on dimensions of antimicrobial use in dairy farms can be vital in designing future strategies for tacking AMR in dairy sector.