Antibiotics
Antibiotics are an essential tool for ensuring healthy livestock and safe food.
Using Antibiotics to Care for Sick Pigs
Antibiotics are critical to treat, control, and prevent disease – in humans and animals. Without the responsible and timely use of antibiotics, sickness can spread rapidly on a farm, endangering pigs’ health and the the safety of our food.
Produce healthy livestock, produce safe food.
At times pigs may need antibiotics to treat illness. Responsible antibiotic use means using only what’s necessary for pig health. This sensible approach means doing what’s best for animal wellbeing, food safety, and the environment.
When antibiotics are used as prescribed by a veterinarian, pigs tend to give birth to larger, healthier litters, get sick less often and recover faster, and suffer less premature death due to illness.
When deciding to use antibiotics for treatment, control, and prevention, the producers should follow these PQA Plus principles:
Principle 1
Take appropriate steps to decrease the need for the application of antibiotics.
Principle 2
Assess the advantages and disadvantages of all uses of antibiotics.
Principle 3
Use antibiotics only when they will provide measurable benefits.
Principle 4
Fully implement management practices described for responsible use of animal health products into daily operations.
Principle 5
Have a working veterinarian-client-patient relationship and follow the responsible antibiotic use guidelines.
