Advice pack published on responsible parasiticide use
The guidance aims to protect pets, people, and the planet.
A new resource pack has been released to help veterinary teams guide cat and dog owners on how to use parasiticides responsibly.
Put together by the British Veterinary Association (BVA), the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS), the pack provides leaflets, posters and a sideshow which can be displayed in practice waiting rooms and shared with clients.
The resources offer guidance on steps that can be taken when using parasiticides to help protect pets, keep people safe, and avoid harming the planet.
The advice includes discussing treatment options with a veterinary surgeon to minimise environmental risks, only using the products for the animal they are prescribed for, and not stroking or grooming a pet until spot-on treatments are dry.
Worries about the damage parasiticides can cause to the natural world have led to veterinary associations stressing the importance of using them carefully and applying a risk-based approach. Research by the BVA has found that 98 per cent of companion animal veterinary surgeons are concerned about the impact that parasiticides have on the environment.
A planned session at this year’s BVA Live, ‘Ticked off! Controlling parasites in dogs and cats’, will look at whether year-round preventative treatment with parasiticides is really needed for the majority of cats and dogs.
BVA senior vice-president Justine Shotton said: “Parasiticides are important products when it comes to preventing and treating parasites. But it is important to remember the effect they can have if not used responsibly.
“New research from Imperial College London recently highlighted how chemicals used in parasiticides are being found in urban waterways, often in high enough levels to potentially cause harm, which is really worrying. Using them responsibly and educating clients around appropriate use is a real step in the right direction to help protect pets themselves, their owners, and the environment.
“We hope these resources will be useful tools to help vets to start conversations with clients to communicate how vital it is to use them appropriately and highlight the simple steps they can take to do so.”
The resources are available to download.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
