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