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BSAVA and SAMSoc update antibiotic-use poster
The latest poster has been created using feedback from the veterinary community.
The new PROTECT ME poster covers new recommendations.

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and the Small Animal Medicine Society (SAMSoc) have released an updated PROTECT ME poster.

The poster has been expanded to include new recommendations made by the European Medicines Agency on antibiotic use.

The updated 2023 version of the poster has been created with a team of 55 veterinary surgeons, led by Dr Fergus Allerton. to ensure that the advice was applicable to all aspects of small animal practice.

A new addition is a section relating to the use of antibacterials for wounds and surgical site infections. The poster has also overhauled guidance on the treatment of life-threatening infections, as well as identifying and treating sepsis.

Alongside this, the PROTECT ME poster incorporates further expanded advice to support owners with their use of antibacterials. The non-prescription form has been amended with a QR code that directs owners towards additional information about antimicrobial resistance and how they can prevent it.

This includes a short educational animation on the topic.

It has been five years since the last edition of the poster, which provides advice and guidance on appropriate antibacterial use, in an effort to prevent antibacterial resistance. The information tackles unnecessary use of these medicines in animals to protect its efficacy.

The PROTECT ME initiative also emphasises the importance of the prescribing cascade, as supported by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).

The latest poster has been created using feedback from the veterinary community, to ensure that the guidelines are applicable to situations regularly seen in practice and address concerns about prescribing.

This has included a dedicated set of resources that advises on the responsible medication of  cats with first-line oral antibiotics.

Fergus Allerton said: “The latest iteration of the PROTECT ME poster incorporates updated information and offers recommendations to support vets to optimise their antibiotic use.

“I hope this will be a valuable resource for vets in practice.”

The new 2023 poster will be distributed with BSAVA’s monthly magazine Companion in December, with free printable copies available here. Printed copies can be purchased here, or requested for free by BSAVA members.

Image © Shutterstock

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.