Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 4th December 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

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

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."