Antibiotics should only be used if they provide benefits

MEDICATION, from pg. 13 time needed for the desired clinical response.

Principle 3 — Use antibiotics only when they provide measurable benefits. The FDA approves products based on their safety and efficacy. The agency also considers the risk to public health from antibiotic resistant bacteria. The producer must assess the potential economic benefits for the farm when considering antibiotic use. Benefits may include reduced mortality, morbidity and improved animal welfare.

Principle 4 — Fully implement management practices for responsible use of animal-health products into daily operations. Keeping medication records is a good way to ensure antibiotics are being used correctly on the farm.

Principle 5 — Maintain a working veterinary-client-patient relationship. A veterinarian should help a producer develop a herd health plan for the farm and assist the farm in all medication decision-making.

Guidelines for using antibiotics

The National Pork Board has developed six guidelines to help producers, in consultation with a veterinarian, to use antibiotics responsibly.

Use professional veterinary input as the basis for all antibiotic decision-making.

Antibiotics should be used for prevention, control, or treatment only when there is an appropriate clinical diagnosis or herd history to justify their use.

Limit antibiotic use for prevention, control, or treatment to ill or at-risk animals, treating the fewest animals indicated.

Antibiotics which are important in treating infections in human or veterinary medicine should be used in animals only after careful review and reasonable justification.

Mixing together injectable or water medications — including antibiotics — by producers is illegal.

Minimize environmental exposure through proper handling and disposal of all animal health products — including antibiotics.

If producers follow these six guidelines along with the principles for using antibiotics responsibly, they will be doing their part for responsible antibiotic use.

Other strategies to keep pigs healthy

Responsible antibiotic use is just one part of a farm’s whole herd health management plan. Other management strategies to keep pigs healthy include:

Biosecurity — prevent diseases from entering the herd or transmitting from the herd to another barn or neighboring site of pigs. Know that the movement of people, pigs, vehicles, and other equipment can carry diseases from one barn to another and from one farm site to another. Thoroughly clean, dis- infect and dry facilities/rooms between pig groups. This includes feeders, waterers and other equipment. Also clean, disinfect and dry vehicles and equipment that goes from one pig site to another.

Vaccinations — successful vaccination programs depend on targeted use of vaccines at the right time for the right health concern. Producers should work with their veterinarian to create a vaccination program which is customized for their herd to help control and prevent diseases. Use diagnostics to confirm health issues. Always use vaccines according to label directions. Properly store and handle vaccines to ensure viability. Watch labels for expiration dates

Environment – provide pigs with the proper environment needed for their age, weight and stocking density. Manage barn temperature to meet the pigs’ needs at their given age and weight. Adjust ventilation systems to manage air flow and humidity levels to provide fresh air. Eliminate drafts.

Management — consider making management changes to reduce the need for antibiotic use. Producers should consider weaning pigs at an appropriate age for their production system. The appropriate weaning age will vary between farms because of differences in genetics, nutrition programs, health status, management and housing types.

Other disease strategies — work closely with a veterinarian to see where other strategies can help manage overall pig health. A veterinarian can assist in developing strategies to reduce disease risk through pig flows, herd health monitoring, disease surveillance and appropriate diagnostics.

Additional resources

Food and Drug Administration: https://www.fda. gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/cvm-updates National Pork Board: www.porkcheckoff.org/pqa and www.porkcheckoff.org/antibiotics

Sarah Schieck Boelke is a University of Minnesota Extension swine educator based in Willmar, Minn. She can be reached at schi0466@umn.edu or (320) 235-0726 ext. 2004. v