Judicious Therapeutic Use of Antimicrobials Principles for Swine Practitioners Preventive strategies, such as appropriate husbandry and hygiene, routine health monitoring, and immunization, should be emphasized. Establish the definitive diagnosis. Ventilation Management Stocking density Isolation and acclimatization of incoming breeding swine. Appropriate and timely use of washing and disinfection of premises. Other therapeutic options should be considered prior to antimicrobials therapy.
Antimicrobials represent a powerful therapeutic option.
We believe that judicious use requires the oversight of a veterinarian at some point in the decision making process. The law prohibits extra label use of antimicrobials in the feed. Extralabel antimicrobial therapy must be prescribed only in accordance with the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act amendments to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and its regulations. Veterinarians should work with those responsible for the care of animals to use antimicrobials judiciously regardless of distribution system through which the antimicrobial was obtained. Judicious use requires the oversight of a veterinarian at some point in the decision making process.