8 Sept 2022
The BVA, BSAVA and BVZS have launched a new resource to help veterinary professionals practise responsible use of parasiticide products for dogs and cats.
James Westgate
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IMAGE: © tatomm / Adobe Stock
The BVA, BSAVA and British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS) have launched a new resource to help veterinary professionals practise responsible use of parasiticide products for dogs and cats.
A five-point plan has been created to help reduce the impact of parasiticide use following results from BVA’s 2021 July Voice of the Veterinary Profession mini survey, which showed that 98% of companion animal vets were concerned about their impact on the environment.
The new resource is a poster entitled “Responsible use of parasiticides for cats and dogs: the five-point plan”, which can be displayed at veterinary surgeries.
It offers tips for each of the five points on how to adapt the use of parasiticides in practice.
The five points are:
The five-point plan is the first resource BVA, BSAVA and BVZS have issued since they launched their joint position on the “Responsible use of parasiticides for cats and dogs”.
This position, which aims to address concerns such as the impact medicines are having on the environment, recommended that vets should always take a proportionate, targeted and responsible approach to the use of small animal parasiticides, and carefully weigh up all risks before prescribing or recommending treatment.
BVA president Justine Shotton said: “Parasiticides can be highly effective in treating everyday pet ailments, but they can have a significant negative impact on the environment and, therefore, should be used with careful consideration.
“By reassessing how parasiticides are used in practice, taking a risk-based approach and fine-tuning use to the needs of each client – rather than taking a blanket approach – vets have a real opportunity to contribute towards ensuring we support natural biodiversity and a healthy planet for us and our pets into the future. This new resource aims to support vet teams on this journey and help educate their clients.”
BSAVA president Alison Speakman added: “BSAVA welcomes this policy to encourage small animal practitioners to work with their clients to make risk and evidence-based decisions on appropriate parasiticide prescribing for pets. We also encourage ongoing scientific research to identify knowledge gaps.
“Adopting a one health approach balances benefits and risks to animals, humans and the environment. This, alongside education regarding concurrent hygiene measures, and appropriate product handling and disposal, aims to reduce as far as possible any negative impact that may result from inappropriate parasiticide use.”
Although the five-point plan deals with dogs and cats, BVZS vice-president Liz Mullineaux highlighted the concerns of its members regarding environmental contamination with parasiticides and the impact that can have on our wildlife.
She added: “Of course, at the same time we have to balance these environmental concerns alongside risks to human and domestic animal health. The five-point plan both helps raise awareness of the issues, and assists vets and their clients to make responsible decisions that should help benefit all. This is really one health in action.”
