The American Veterinary Medical Association has announced that the FDA’s order prohibiting certain uses of cephalosporins in food animals appears consistent with the current AVMA position on the limited prohibition on extra-label drug use, but warned against further restrictions not backed by science.

Cephalosporins, a class of antimicrobial drug used in livestock, poultry, and other food-producing animals, are also commonly used in humans to treat pneumonia and a wide range of skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections, and inflammatory disease. The FDA said it is limiting the use of cephalosporins in animals to preserve the effectiveness of the drugs for treating disease in humans and reduce the risk of cephalosporin resistance in certain bacterial pathogens.

“The AVMA is pleased that the FDA reviewed and thoughtfully considered the many comments received from stakeholders, including veterinarians, while taking action to preserve the effectiveness of cephalosporin drugs for treating disease in humans,” said Dr. Rene Carlson, AVMA president. ”

Veterinarians are committed to improving the health and welfare of people, animals, and the environment, and we hope the FDA’s order will allow veterinarians to have therapeutic options for food animals while also protecting public health.”

The AVMA is evaluating the prohibition of cephalosporins for preventive uses and will submit a response to the FDA during the comment period. The AVMA has a strong position which underscores the importance of veterinary access to antimicrobials for preventive use to enhance food safety, public health, and animal welfare.

“We are committed to the judicious use of antimicrobials in food animals,” said Dr. Carlson. “While this measure appears to be consistent with our position, we will continue to review any further restrictions to make sure they are backed by science and don’t place arbitrary and ultimately harmful limits on veterinarians’ ability to treat animals and ensure a safe and healthy food supply.”

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 81,500 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities.

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The release of the movie ‘We Bought a Zoo’ has prompted the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to caution the public that buying zoo animals for private ownership is not only a dangerous idea, but it is often illegal as well.

Zoos are important institutions in every community where they exist and help in global conservation efforts.  Zoo animals deserve and require appropriate care provided by professionals.

“The human-animal bond is a heartwarming thing to witness both in real life and in movies, but the challenges of owning and caring for wild animals makes private ownership of zoo animals dangerous for people and the animals,” explains Dr. Rene Carlson, president of the AVMA. “We want to remind everyone that zoo animals are wild and have very specific needs. Owning and caring for wild animals at home is dangerous not only for you and your family but also for the animals.”

In the movie, based on an autobiography written by Benjamin Mee and starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Patrick Fugit, Elle Fanning, John Michael Higgins, the family buys a zoo, but they also employ a veterinarian and trained staff to care for the animals. Without the help of veterinarians and experienced zoo keepers, animal health technicians or other qualified individuals, care of wild animals should not be attempted.

The issue became national news two months ago when the owner of a wildlife reserve in Ohio freed his wild animals before killing himself. Forty-eight animals were killed by the sheriff’s department to protect the public.

The AVMA advises lawmakers across the country to severely restrict or prohibit private ownership of indigenous and non-native wild animals that pose a significant risk to public health, domestic animal health or the ecosystem, as well as those species whose welfare is unacceptably compromised.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 81,500 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. The year 2011 is being celebrated by veterinarians around the world as Vet2011, the 250th anniversary of the birth of veterinary medicine and education.

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