Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the quantity of antibiotics and classes of antibiotics used in the small ruminant industry in the Netherlands in 2011 and 2012. Twelve large veterinary practices, located throughout the Netherlands were selected for this study. All small ruminant farms associated with these practices that had complete records on the quantity of antibiotics prescribed were included. The veterinary practices provided data on all antibiotics prescribed, and the estimated animal used daily dose of antibiotics per year (AUDD/Y) was calculated for each farm. The median AUDD/Y in small ruminant farms was zero in both years (mean 0.60 in 2011, and 0.62 in 2012). The largest quantity of antibiotic use was observed in the professional goat industry (herds of ≥32 goats) with a median AUDD/Y of 1.22 in 2011 and 0.73 in 2012. In the professional sheep industry (flocks of ≥32 sheep), the median AUDD/Y was 0 in 2011 and 0.10 in 2012. In the small scale industry (flocks or herds of <32 sheep or goats), the median AUDD/Y never exceeded 0. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics in the small scale industry and professional sheep farms belonged to the penicillin class. In professional goat farms, antibiotics of the aminoglycoside class were most frequently prescribed. This study provides the first assessment on the quantity of antibiotic use in the small ruminant industry. Given a comparable attitude towards antibiotic use, these results might be valid for small ruminant populations in other north-western European countries as well. The antibiotic use in the small ruminant industry appeared to be low, and is expected to play a minor role in the development of antibiotic resistance. Nevertheless, several major zoonotic bacterial pathogens are associated with the small ruminant industry, and it remains important that antibiotics are used in a prudent way.
Highlights
IntroductionThere is a substantial number of professional farms with small ruminants that produce milk and meat for human consumption
In the Netherlands, sheep and goats are generally kept as companion animals
The highest median values of the animal used daily dose (AUDD)/Y were found in the professional goat industry
Summary
There is a substantial number of professional farms with small ruminants that produce milk and meat for human consumption. In the latter, food safety and food quality are of great importance. The use of antibiotics and other medicines may enhance the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) [1,2,3]. The fact that the same classes of antibiotics are used in veterinary and human medicine is a reason for concern [4]. The role of small ruminants in this discussion might be of minor importance because earlier research did only find low rates of AMR in sheep [7]
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