New online platform supports you in overseeing responsible use of veterinary antimicrobials

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), with the input of key stakeholders, created the CVMA Guidelines for Veterinary Antimicrobial Use, a new online platform to support you in your decision-making on appropriate and responsible use of antimicrobials in animals.

CVMA Guidelines for Veterinary Antimicrobial Use:

• Is a searchable interface with filtering capabilities for quicker access to information on antimicrobial use.
• Allows for more frequent updating of information and the addition of new resources to ensure it represents the latest in guidance and science-based knowledge.
• Is accessible from a variety of devices (e.g. laptop, tablet, smartphone).
• Is currently available in English, and the French platform will be available in the coming months.

Access it here. The new online platform is an expansion and update of the existing 2008 Prudent Use Guidelines on Antimicrobial Use. It now covers six species groups:

• Beef
• Dairy
• Poultry
• Swine
• Small ruminants
• Companion animals (canine, feline)

Content Developed by Leading Canadian Experts

Subject matter experts and their supporting teams were instrumental to the development of the content on the new online platform. Six veterinary species groups were involved and led by:

• Dr. Martine Boulianne (Poultry)
• Dr. Nathan Erickson (Beef)
• Dr. Murray Gillies (Dairy)
• Dr. Christian Klopfenstein (Swine)
• Dr. Paula Menzies (Small Ruminants)
• Dr. Scott Weese (Companion Animals)

Who Can Access It?

All licensed veterinarians in Canada will be granted full access to all content on the information platform until April 1, 2019. After that date, only active CVMA members will have full access. Have your CVMA website log-in ready.

Next Steps:

Future platform development will include integrated links to other key resources, veterinary guidelines for other animal species, information on alternatives to antimicrobial use, and be available in both official languages. Development of the updated veterinary guidelines for antimicrobial use was supported during 2017 and 2018 by funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriAssurance Program, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.