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Antimicrobial stewardship in companion animal practice is not a new concept and indeed, the profession has made brilliant progress in recent years and should rightly be proud of its achievements to date. Tangible stewardship protocols and actions are moreÌýevidentÌýthan ever with antibiotic stewardship now sitting squarely within everyday clinical decision-making.ÌýÌý

Ten years ofÌýcompanion animal and equineÌýsales data show that the collective efforts of the sector have resulted in significantÌýantimicrobial use (AMU) reductions, but this could plateau if thereÌýisn’tÌýsustained focus through ongoing and targeted activity to help secure further reductions.ÌýThat is exactly why the new antimicrobial use targets for the companion animal sector, launched by RUMA Companian AnimalÌý&ÌýEquine (CA&E)Ìýlast November, matter: not because they downplay or replace the considerable work already underway, but because they help demonstrate continued progress, maintain momentum,Ìýand focus hearts and minds on where further gains can still be made.Ìý

RUMA CA&E has always acknowledged that there has beenÌýgreat workÌýgoing on in the CA&E sector forÌýa number ofÌýyears, led by a variety of associations,ÌýorganisationsÌýand stakeholders. One of the drivers for the formation of RUMA CA&E was the desire and need to be able toÌýdemonstrateÌýthe progress the sectors have made. We are not aiming to duplicate or take credit away from those stakeholders that have already put a lot of time and effort into this area – we want to celebrate progress and contribute to keeping that momentum going.Ìý

Over the next five years, the ambition is to deliver an overall 30% reduction in antimicrobial use in dogs and cats, alongside a 50% reduction in use of highest priority critically important antibiotics in cats. SettingÌýappropriate targetsÌýis never straightforward, and it is right to recognise that targets can sometimes bring unintended consequences if they are not developed and applied carefully. But done well, they can support responsible reductions in use, help reduce resistance over time, protect the efficacy of these medicines for longer, andÌýmaintainÌýaccess to critically important antibiotics where treatment is genuinely needed.Ìý

Condition-specific antimicrobial useÌý

Now, as a next step, we are starting to focus on specific conditions where antimicrobial use has traditionally been high, but where most patients do notÌýrequireÌýantimicrobials. In some cases,Ìýstrong evidenceÌýexists to support not using these medicines as that they may even slow recovery.Ìý

If stewardship efforts are to gain traction, they should begin with conditions where the evidence is strong, the case for change is clear and the impact can be meaningful. Canine acute diarrhoea and cat bite abscesses/cat fight wounds meet those criteria: they areÌýcommon presentations, have historically been associated with antimicrobial prescribing, and in most routine cases antibiotics are not needed.Ìý

That is why RUMA CA&E’s focus on canine acute diarrhoea and cat bite abscesses/cat fight wounds is such a sensible starting point. The alliance will be launching online resources for vet practicesÌýat Ȥҹapp LiveÌýto use to help shape their approach to antimicrobial stewardship in each condition.ÌýÌýWe hope they are seen as practical enablers of change that are designed to help veterinary teams make informed, confident, evidence-based decisions about antimicrobial use, strengthen stewardship at practice level, and ensure that these critically important medicines are used responsibly and only when clinically indicated.Ìý

RUMA CA&E’s national targets and condition-specific toolkits, which areÌýlaunching at Ȥҹapp Live on 12 June,Ìýwill help turn stewardship into something practical and measurable. Focusing first on canine acute diarrhoea and cat bite abscesses/cat fight wounds is a pragmatic choice, and will help the sector demonstrate progress, maintain momentum and strengthen collaboration. If the profession is serious about stewardship, we feel this is exactly the right place to begin.Ìý

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