FROM THE STATE VET’S OFFICE
YOU’LL NEED A PRESCRIPTION FOR THAT CHANGES COMING TO FOOD ANIMAL ANTIBIOTICS BY D R . T O N Y F R A Z I E R I have been around veterinary medicine for what might be considered a long time in some circles. I have seen a lot of changes in my 34 years in this profession. I believe most of the changes we have seen have moved veterinary medicine in a positive direction. Maybe the area I have seen the most changes has been in pharmaceuticals. Newer, more efficient and safer drugs have replaced less efficient drugs that had narrower margins of safety and were often less effective. Most of those changes have come and gone without any reason for the consumer to be aware of them. However, over the past several years, antibiotics have 16
Cooperative Farming News
been in the spotlight when it comes to their use in food animals. As that situation continues to evolve, there are more changes coming in the area of food animal antibiotics that will affect many producers. I have always been and will always be an advocate and a cheerleader for the judicious use of antibiotics. But, as a veterinarian, I took an oath to “use my scientific knowledge and skills … for the relief of animal suffering.” I always wonder where that puts us if we support the “no antibiotics ever” marketing concept of food animals. Recently, I saw an article on the internet that highlighted five national fast-food
