Tackling antibiotic use in pets and horses.

The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) has formed a new unit dedicated to reducing, refining, or replacing antibiotic use in pets and horses. This strategy, which has already seen marked success in the farming industry, will be adapted to cater to these new animals with the goal of improving health and welfare.

Explanation of the Research

• The study comprises the initiation of a new focus group in the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA), aiming to regulate and potentially reduce the use of antibiotics in companion animals like dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses.
  The evolution of antibiotic resistance in microorganisms is a growing concern for medical and public health professionals. This phenomenon complicates the treatment of numerous diseases caused by bacteria, making previously straightforward treatments increasingly ineffective. The unnecessary and excessive use of antibiotics in agriculture and pet care contributes to this problem.
• The new RUMA group, the companion animal and equine group, is a collaboration between the farming sector and partners in pet and equine care. The team plans to set sector-specific goals that could drive improvements in the regulation of antibiotic use in these areas. This initiative is a direct response to the success of RUMA’s previous work in agriculture, where antibiotic usage has been significantly reduced over the last few years.
• The group will use this past experience and success to inform their strategies for reducing antibiotic use in other sectors. Though antibiotic sales for pets are comparatively lower than in farming, some people believe that there’s room for further improvement and reduction in pet and equine antibiotic use.
• Effective stakeholder engagement, partnership with veterinary organizations, and regulatory bodies were integral to success in farming. The same approach will be used in trying to regulate pet and horse antibiotic use.
• According to Gwyn Jones, the group’s chair, evidence-based protocols for reducing, replacing or refining antibiotic use will need to be established. They plan to monitor the progress made towards set goals and also promote resources, guidance, and measures to encourage positive behavioral changes. The overarching goal is to protect patients and practitioners while also preserving and prolonging the use of vital health tools.
• The group will work towards demonstrating evidence of progress in improving antimicrobial resistance in order to align with the UK government’s five-year national action plan for containment and control of this issue.