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AHDB publish antibiotic guide for pig producers
Pig vet
The guidance recommends that all pig owners review their antibiotic usage, whether or not they are quality assured.

Produced to help vets and farmers review their antibiotic use

A review containing guidance to the use of antibiotics on pig farms has been published by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

Produced jointly by the Pig Health and Welfare Council (PHWC) and the Pig Veterinary Society (PVS), the guidance aims to help vets and farmers review their antibiotic use regularly. It also considers ways in which this could be optimised without harming pigs.

The guidance recommends that all pig owners review their antibiotic usage, whether or not they are quality assured, and that ideally the review should be taken at least quarterly.

It states that it may be necessary to undertake further investigation on a farm where the review has highlighted a problem, such as reduced efficacy of an existing treatment, or an increase in clinical disease from a previously controlled situation.

Following discussion with the owner and farm manager of the findings, all recommendations should then be given to the pig keeper in writing in a Veterinary Health Plan or a report appended to the VHP. This should detail the antibiotic to be used, the dose rate, route of administration and the withdrawal period for the product.

PVS representative Grace Webster said: "We acknowledge that many vets and farmers are already applying these best practice guidelines in their review of antibiotic usage. This is an integral part of their ongoing efforts to use antibiotics 'as little as possible and as much as necessary' to safeguard the health and welfare of the pigs under their care and encourage all of our members to consider whether they can improve their current approach."

PHWC Council chairman John Fitzgerald added: "The PHWC supports the responsive use of antibiotics. This means minimising the need to use antibiotic by managing the farm to reduce the risk of disease challenge and using them properly to maintain health and welfare."

The guidance is available at: http://pork.ahdb.org.uk

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.