Abstract
Aim:The aim of the study was to assess the antibiotic use in dairy animals and to trace its usage pattern among the small, medium, and large dairy farmers in Eastern Haryana region of India.Materials and Methods:Karnal and Kurukshetra districts from Eastern region of Haryana state were purposively selected, and four villages from each district were selected randomly. From each village, 21 farmers were selected using stratified random sampling by categorizing into small, medium, and large farmers constituting a total of 168 farmers as respondents. An antibiotic usage index (AUI) was developed to assess usage of antibiotics by dairy farmers.Results:Frequency of veterinary consultancy was high among large dairy farmers, and they mostly preferred veterinarians over para-veterinarians for treatment of dairy animals. Small farmers demanded low-cost antibiotics from veterinarians whereas large farmers rarely went for it. Antibiotics were used maximum for therapeutic purposes by all categories of farmers. Completion of treatment schedules and follow-up were strictly practiced by the majority of large farmers. AUI revealed that large farmers were more consistent on decision-making about prudent use of antibiotics. Routine use of antibiotics after parturition to prevent disease and sale of milk without adhering to withdrawal period was responsible for aggravating the antibiotic resistance. The extent of antibiotic use by small farmers depended on the severity of disease. The large farmers opted for the prophylactic use of antibiotics at the herd level.Conclusion:Antibiotic usage practices were judicious among large dairy farmers, moderately prudent by medium dairy farmers and faulty by small farmers. The frequency of veterinary consultancy promoted better veterinary-client relationship among large farmers.
Highlights
Antibiotics can be regarded as an “endangered species” facing extinction due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and void in the continuous development of new antibiotics [1]
Frequency of veterinary consultancy was high among large dairy farmers, and they mostly preferred veterinarians over para-veterinarians for treatment of dairy animals
Routine use of antibiotics after parturition to prevent disease and sale of milk without adhering to withdrawal period was responsible for aggravating the antibiotic resistance
Summary
Antibiotics can be regarded as an “endangered species” facing extinction due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and void in the continuous development of new antibiotics [1]. The extensive and inappropriate use of antibiotics in animal production and dairy farming has led to a global rise in multi-resistant microbes which are spreading rapidly and is not confined to developing countries [2]. The regular clinical inspection of dairy animals and use of antibiotic prescription based on sensitivity testing should be promoted to reduce the over-use of antibiotics [3]. Lack of proper data related to antimicrobials drug use in India limits the understanding of type and magnitude of antibiotic usage in dairy animals [4]. The therapeutic and prophylactic purposes have validated benefits such as improved animal health and increase in production levels, but it increases the pace of antibiotic resistance [5].
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