‘Irresponsible and potentially dangerous’: equine vets’ warning to owners who ‘hoard’ drugs

medication_with_phenylbutazone_4_409047301_736249822-FO.jpg — Antibiotics

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Using leftover or old antibiotics is “irresponsible and potentially dangerous” – for your own horse as well as many others, vets have warned.

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is urging owners not to hoard previously prescribed antibiotics for future use ahead of the worldwide 2023 antimicrobial awareness week (18-24 November).

“Giving random, leftover or old antibiotics to your horse for a suspected infection is irresponsible and potentially dangerous,” said immediate past BEVA president David Rendle, a European specialist in equine internal medicine. “It could make things worse, as they might not be the right type of antibiotic for that specific infection and could easily contribute to the problem of resistance. People also forget that antibiotics are not without risk and their use can trigger serious – even fatal – intestinal disease.”

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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.

‘Irresponsible and potentially dangerous’: equine vets’ warning to owners who ‘hoard’ drugs

H&H has reported on the need to use antibiotics responsibly to help minimise resistance to the drugs and keep them available and effective for animals and people.

BEVA said bacteria that are resistant to multiple drugs are an increasing problem in equine veterinary practice. Horses who are affected take longer to recover, and their vets’ bills will be higher.

“If you give too little of an antibiotic because you aren’t sure what to give or don’t have enough for the course that is required, the infection is unlikely to be sufficiently treated and you will increase the risk of resistant bacteria,” said BEVA president Roger Smith.

BEVA is asking horse owners to give any leftover antibiotics back to the vet.

“It is crucial not to throw old medicines away in the rubbish or flush them down the loo, as they can eventually return to the environment, contaminating soil and watercourses and cause damage to wildlife,” said Mr Smith.

“The problems we are seeing with antimicrobial resistance are relevant to all vets and all horse owners, and we must all act to reduce the development of resistance.”

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