New website helps vets adapt to antimicrobial changes

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), with the input of key stakeholders has created a new online platform for Canada’s veterinarians to support decision-making on appropriate and responsible use of antimicrobials in animals.

The CVMA Guidelines for Veterinary Antimicrobial Use is an electronic searchable interface with filtering capabilities for quicker access to information on antimicrobial use.

It also allows for more frequent updating of information and the addition of new resources, and it is accessible from a variety of devices (e.g. laptop, tablet, smartphone).

“As veterinarians, we oversee the appropriate and responsible use of antimicrobials in animals, thereby helping minimize the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance; a threat in Canada and around the world,” says CVMA President Dr. Terri Chotowetz.

“The new online platform of veterinary guidelines for antimicrobial use allows our profession to support Canada’s overarching strategy on antimicrobial resistance and use.”

The updated format replaces the CVMA’s original print-only guidelines from 2008. The scope of the original guideline (four species groups: beef, dairy, poultry, swine) was expanded to include small ruminants and companion animals (canine, feline).

Recommendations on antimicrobial use were developed and tested by key subject matter experts and their supporting teams, representing six veterinary species groups.

Development of the updated veterinary guidelines for antimicrobial use was supported during 2017 and 2018 by funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriAssurance Program, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

All licensed veterinarians in Canada will be granted full access to content on the new information platform hosted on the CVMA website (canadianveterinarians.net/AMU-UAM) until April 1, 2019, when only active CVMA members will have full access.

The new online platform is intended to host documentation and information to be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure it represents the latest in guidance and science-based knowledge.

Future platform development will include integrated links to other key resources, veterinary guidelines for additional animal species, information on alternatives to antimicrobial use. The guidelines will be available in both official languages.

The work by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association will help Canada’s commitment to conserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials now and into the future, in animals and humans, as described in Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use: A Pan-Canadian Framework for Action.