System should help producers meet new federal rules on antimicrobial use in animals.Ottawa—Livestock owners should receive better outcomes working with their vets in treating sick animals under an information system developed by the the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).The system was launched to coincide with the Dec. 1 start of new federal rules aimed at limiting the use of antibiotics crucial to human health in treating ailing animals. That initiative is meant to curb growing global problems with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans.Shane Renwick, CVMA's national issues and animal welfare manager, said vets will be able to download up-to-date information on treating livestock diseases onto their cell phones and other communication devices during farm calls. That should help farmers and vets to make sound decisions on the appropriate use of medicines.The system will have a searchable interface and will soon be available in French as well as English.Called the Guidelines for Veterinary Antimicrobial Use, the information “is an electronic searchable interface with filtering capabilities for quicker access to information on antimicrobial use,” he said. It will be updated whenever new information is available.CVMA is hoping to receive financial support from the government to further refine the system.CVMA President Dr. Terri Chotowetz said, “As veterinarians, we oversee the appropriate and responsible use of antimicrobials in animals, thereby helping minimize the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance; a threat in Canada and around the world.“The new online platform of veterinary guidelines for antimicrobial use allows our profession to support Canada's overarching strategy on antimicrobial resistance and use,” he said.It will replace the CVMA's original print-only guidelines developed in 2008. Recommendations on antimicrobial use were developed and tested by key subject matter experts and their supporting teams with funding help from Agriculture Canada's AgriAssurance Program, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Under Health Canada's Pan-Canadian Framework for Action, all class 1,2, and 3 medicines, considered most crucial to human health, can only be given to livestock with the approval of a vet as of Dec. 1.“Vets know the responsibility is now on them and they don't want to lose any of the tools required to protect animal health by misusing antimicrobials,” Renwick said.It's important for Canadian agrifood exports to be able “to demonstrate that we have the AMR problem under control,” he said. “At the same time, we don't want situations where animals suffer from a lack of treatments; that's not acceptable.”The online information available to vets will show alternate treatments that could restore the health of an animal without using antibiotics, he said.All licensed vets in Canada will be able to access the system until April 1 but after that date only active CVMA members will have full access.CVMA set up experts in groups covering poultry, beef, dairy, swine, small ruminants and companions animals in developing the online information. The Canadian Council of Veterinary Registrars and the CVMA's Veterinary Pharmacuetical Stewardship Advisory Group oversaw the development of the standards for vets to follow in prescribing antimicrobials.CVMA said the new online platform is intended to host documentation and information to be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure it represents the latest in guidance and science-based knowledge. Future platform development will include integrated links to other key resources, veterinary guidelines for additional animal species and more information on alternatives to antimicrobial use.Alex Binkley is a freelance journalist and writes for domestic and international publications about agriculture, food and transportation issues. He's also the author of two science fiction novels with more in the works.