The American Veterinary Medical Association has continued efforts to educate Congress about the complex and crucial nature of treating America's animals – and how the health of those animals impacts human health, whether through the food supply or through direct contact with pets. The Monday briefing by the AVMA focused on the uses of antibiotics and how they help protect animal health, providing in-depth scientific information on the necessity of antibiotic use for preventing and treating disease in companion animals and livestock.
Dr. Lloyd Keck, a worldwide animal health consultant to the poultry industry and former AVMA Congressional Science Fellow, dispelled arguments related to human antibiotic-resistance risks. He told Congressional staffers that - antibiotics are necessary for veterinarians to protect the health and well-being of animals. He said, - benefits to animals and people outweigh the current risk associated with bacterial resistance.
And Dr Rene Carlson, former Wisconsin Veterinarian of the Year, said - whenever I consider using an antibiotic in any of my patients, I always look at four outcomes. First, will it successfully treat a diagnosed medical condition? The second outcome is prevention of an infection in a high-risk patient because of a particular injury or procedure. Third, I look at a decreased likelihood for development of a resistant infection or organism. And finally, I am concerned with the protection of the health of the animal and its owners who come in contact with it.
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