Antibiotic Stewardship Beef and Dairy Cattle

Ensure you have the right antibiotic for your animals when they need them.

Antibiotics are a powerful tool for both animal and human health. They can be used to prevent and treat infections caused by bacteria. However, when antibiotics are used improperly, bacteria can become resistant or unresponsive. This is called antibiotic resistance (AMR). Antibiotics can continue to be effective for prevention and treatment through good stewardship and responsible use.

We can keep antibiotics effective through antibiotic stewardship.

What is antibiotic stewardship?

Responsible stewardship practices include actions that preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics while maintaining animal health.

Only using antibiotics when necessary to manage illness in animals
Establishing best management practices, like use of vaccines, and disease prevention plans to reduce the overall need for antibiotics
Livestock owners and veterinarians working together to make decisions that improve animal health and welfare long-term

Lack of effective treatments can result in

Poor animal health and welfare
Reduced livestock productivity
Increased health costs

By establishing an antibiotic stewardship plan, we can reduce the risk of animals developing antibioticresistant infections. The more we understand how we can affordably and effectively treat animals, the more sustainable our farms and practices can be.

Make the Most of Your Resources

Maintaining herd health means making the most out of limited resources like time and money. Creating a relationship with a team of experts, such as local livestock experts, extension agents, and veterinarians, to work together to care for your operation will pay off not only in your herd’s wellbeing, but also in your wallet.

Plan
Ahead

Plan Ahead

Illness and infections are never convenient. The best time to talk to your vet is before your livestock are sick. Planning ahead with your veterinarian ensures you can care for your livestock in a timely manner when it matters most.

Identify a Support Team

You know what’s in the best interest of your operation. When it comes to keeping your livestock healthy, the lack of an antibiotic stewardship plan can negatively affect your bottom line. Local livestock experts, extension agents, or veterinarians can provide the support you need to navigate these changes.

Implications for Cattle

While some healthcare tasks can be performed by producers, a veterinarian is an invaluable partner in treating illness and infection, and in many cases necessary to get proper treatment. Under the FDA’s Guidance For Industry (GFI) #263, in June 2023 all medically important antibiotics that were previously available over-the-counter will require a prescription from a veterinarian for legal use in animals.

Conditions of Concern

Bovine respiratory disease, lameness, mastitis, pink eye, uterine infection

Pathogens of Concern

E. coli, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Histophilus somni, Klebsiella, Mannheimia haemolytica, Moraxella spp., Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus species, Streptococcus spp.

Affected Medications

Cephapirin, Cephapirin Benthazine
Oxytetracycline
Penicillin G Procraine, Penicillin G Benzathine
Sulfadimenthoxine
Tylosin

More Resources

Locate a Veterinarian
https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/yourvet/fnding-veterinarian

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine Antimicrobial Resistance
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/antimicrobial-resistance/

Your State’s Extension Veterinarians
http://www.extvets.org/contacts.asp

Building a Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship

Make a proactive plan with a veterinarian to get the antibiotics your animals need when they need them.

Talk to a Vet

Identify a veterinarian as a partner in supporting your herd’s health. By having a veterinarian who is familiar with you and your livestock, they can be prepared to provide appropriate care in the case of an illness or infection.

Build a VCPR

A valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is required for extra-label drug use. Working with your veterinarian to make a plan will allow them to determine what treatments and antibiotics your animals need. This relationship can help to reduce the need for extra veterinarian visits and help expedite treatment.

Schedule Routine Visits

Routine visits are more cost-effective and encourage a preventative and proactive approach to maintaining your herd’s health.

Set Treatment Protocols

Before illness occurs, set protocols for common conditions with your veterinarian so that you have access to the antibiotics needed to take swift action on your own and recognize when you need to involve your vet.