By Susan Himes

Food and Drug administration Is continuing the phasing in of a law that requires a prescription for any antibiotic use in animals raised for human consumption.

A veterinarian administers antibiotics to a cow in a pen.

No longer will producers who need injectable antibiotics for their cattle be able to just grab them at their local feed store or order them online. Producers should be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is continuing the phasing in of a law that requires a prescription for any antibiotic us in animals raised for human consumption, as well as for all companion animals.

Prescriptions, livestock and your vet

A prescription is already required for most antibiotics delivered to livestock, and the remaining three categories of injectable antibiotics available over-the-counter will soon be joining the list of medically important antimicrobials that require a veterinarian’s prescription.

“It will cause a little bit of difficulty because producers who want and need to use antibiotics are going to have to work with their beef cattle or livestock veterinarians and develop a veterinary client-patient relationship in advance of any disease issues,” said Joe Paschal, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Corpus Christi.

Paschal recommends producers should, if they haven’t already, develop a relationship with a local veterinarian to be prepared for these changes. People should also be aware that these laws apply to companion animals like horses.

“This means that your veterinarian knows who you are, knows the kind of livestock you are raising and what you are doing with them, understands your management, and that you agree if they come out to diagnose an illness and use an antimicrobial to treat a disease or illness, you will follow their directions including dosage, duration and withdrawal,” he said.

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Via Source Feedlot Magazine  |  Rx Required