Antibiotics are essential medicines for Australian livestock and horses. They are used to treat and prevent infections that cause distress and suffering in our animals, assist Australian farmers to achieve and maintain high animal welfare standards, and enable safe and sustainable food production.
However, when antibiotics are used inappropriately, bacteria can develop resistance to those antibiotics, and common infections in both humans and animals can become extremely difficult to treat, and sometimes life-threatening.
It is critical that these important medicines are used carefully and responsibly, to minimise the development of bacterial resistance and make sure that these important medicines remain effective in the future.
Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) support the responsible and judicious use of all veterinary medicines. These tips will help you to use antibiotics responsibly and safely.