The aim of the tool is to enhance the confidence of veterinary professionals in deciding when to prescribe and when to withhold antibiotics.
The tool is the next step in the PROTECT ME initiative, the core of which is the BSAVA/SAMSoc Guide to Responsible Use of Antibiotics: PROTECT ME guide in the BSAVA Library and the accompanying ‘Antibiotic use in our practice’ poster.
The current demo version of the tool provides advice on gastrointestinal infections.
Work is underway to cover all areas of the PROTECT ME guide.
Cameron Shuttlewood, Production Editor at BSAVA said: “Responsible use of veterinary medicines is key in supporting One Health and in retaining the right to prescribe antibiotics that are important in human medicine.
“We are pleased that the small animal veterinary community is embracing the importance of antibiotic stewardship, and we want this tool to make it quick and easy to follow existing evidence-based guidance.”
The full PROTECT ME guide, including printable posters and non-prescription forms, is available from www.bsavalibrary.com/PROTECTME.
BSAVA members can request free printed copies of the poster for their practice.
Non-members can purchase copies from www.bsava.com/shop for £5.
bsava.fillout.com/protectme