We're using this year's Antimicrobial Awareness Week (18-24 November 2023) to urge horse owners not to hoard previously prescribed antibiotics 'for a rainy day'.
The responsible use of antimicrobials (also known as antibiotics) is essential to help prevent widespread resistance and to ensure continued availability of antimicrobials both in terms of effectiveness and legislation.
"Giving random, left over or old antibiotics to your horse for a suspected infection is irresponsible and potentially dangerous," said our Immediate Past President Dave Rendle, RCVS and European Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine. "It could make things word, as they might not be the right type of antibiotic for that specific infection and could easily contribute to the problem of resistance. People also forget that antibiotics are not without risk and their use can trigger series - even fatal - intestinal disease."
Multidrug-resistance bacteria are an increasing problem in equine practice. Affected horses have longer recovery times, and their owners are faced with higher costs of treatment.
"If you give too little of an antibiotic because you aren't sure what to give or don't have enough for the course that is required, the infection is unlikely to be sufficiently treated and you will increase the risk of resistant bacteria," said BEVA President Roger Smith.
We are asking horse owners to give any leftover antibiotics back to their vet, when they are next visiting.
"It is crucial not to throw old medicines away in the rubbish or flush them down the loo, as they can eventually return to the environment, contaminating soil and watercourses and cause damage to wildlife." advised Roger.
"The problems we are seeing with antimicrobial resistance is relevant to all vets and all horse owners, and we must all act to reduce the development of resistance."
Our award-winning PROTECT ME toolkit contains posters and fact sheets for vets to share directly with their clients. It includes client facing posters and information sheets to help horse owners understand more about the importance of antimicrobial resistance and why antibiotics are not always required.
Go to the PROTECT ME toolkit