ACVIM Consensus Statement on Therapeutic Antimicrobial Use in Animals and Antimicrobial Resistance

The epidemic of antimicrobial resistant infections continues to challenge, compromising animal care, complicating food animal production and posing zoonotic disease risks. While the overall role of therapeutic antimicrobial use in animals in the development AMR in animal and human pathogens is poorly defined, veterinarians must consider the impacts of antimicrobial use in animal and take steps to optimize antimicrobial use, so as to maximize the health benefits to animals while minimizing the likelihood of antimicrobial resistance and other adverse effects. This consensus statement aims to provide guidance on the therapeutic use of antimicrobials in animals, balancing the need for effective therapy with minimizing development of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from animals and humans.     

Essential Fatty Acids and the Cat

Abstract— The physiology of essential fatty acid metabolism in the cat is reviewed. Emphasis is placed on those aspects of the n:6 and n:3 fatty acids, their metabolites and interactions, which relate primarily to the skin. The functional roles, if known, of the fatty acids are discussed. Recent clinical research into the use of essential fatty acid supplements in the management of feline dermatoses is presented. Current indications for the therapeutic supplementation with essential fatty acids are summarised.     

Possible Emergence of Drug-Resistant Variants of Babesia gibsoni in Clinical Cases Treated with Atovaquone and Azithromycin

Background: There is no well-established treatment strategy for Babesia gibsoni infection. A new therapeutic protocol using atovaquone (ATV) and azithromycin (AZM) has been proposed, but there is concern about the possible induction of relapse and the emergence of ATV-resistant variants after treatment.
Objective: To evaluate the clinical use of combination therapy with ATV and AZM as a first-line treatment of clinical B. gibsoni infection in dogs, and to investigate the emergence of ATV-resistant variants.
Animals: Eight B. gibsoni naturally infected dogs showing signs of acute onset of disease.
Methods: Retrospective case study. Eight clinical cases received combination therapy with ATV and AZM at Kagoshima University Veterinary Teaching Hospital during 2007–2008, and their clinical courses and clinicopathological parameters were evaluated. In addition, alterations in the cytochrome b ( CYTb ) gene of B. gibsoni were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing techniques.
Results: All of the dogs responded well to the treatment, with rapid improvement in their clinical condition and hematological parameters. However, 5 of the 8 dogs relapsed after treatment. Analysis of the CYTb gene strongly suggested the emergence of ATV-resistant variants after treatment.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The combination of ATV and AZM can be used as a first-line treatment for dogs with babesiosis, but relapses occur. Attention should be paid to the possible in vivo selection of drug-resistant variants.