VICAS Launch AMR Survey of Pet Owners

The Veterinary Ireland Companion Animal Society (VICAS) has launched a nationwide AMR Survey of Pet Owners as part of its commitment to the One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2021-2025 (iNAP2).

VICAS, the Interest Group of Veterinary Ireland representing Companion Animal (Pet) vets in Ireland, formally launched the Survey at the Vet24 Conference being held in the Gleneagle Hotel, / INEC, in Killarney, Co. Kerry.

Speaking at the Conference, VICAS Chair and Veterinary Ireland Vice President, Dr Jane Pigott BVM BVS CertAVP(VC) MSc MRCVS said “Antimicrobial / Antibiotic Resistance (AMR) is a growing concern for both humans and animals.  As part of our commitment to the National Action Plan on AMR, VICAS has formulated a quick survey, and we are asking for the help of all Irish Pet owners to gain valuable data on their perception and knowledge of AMR”.

The survey, being conducted via Survey Monkey, is completely anonymous and should only take a few minutes to complete.  The Survey is available at the following link or by using the following QR Code.  Veterinary practices will also be putting up posters and including links to the Survey on social media.

“Antimicrobial resistance happens naturally over time. However, the rate of antimicrobial resistance is increasing because a huge number of antimicrobials are being used across the world in humans, animals, and the environment”, said Dr Pigott.  “AMR is being made worse by overusing antimicrobial medicines and by not using antimicrobial medicines correctly. The result of this is that common infections are becoming more difficult to treat and multi drug resistant bacteria (the so called ‘superbugs’) are developing. This is a problem because many antimicrobial medicines do not work to treat these multi drug resistant bacteria or ‘superbugs’”.

VICAS is advising that antimicrobial medicines should only be used when they are needed to fight serious infections.  To help reduce antimicrobial resistance it is important to:

• Only use antimicrobial medicines when they are needed.
• Increase access to sanitation - making sure there is access to clean toilets and hand washing facilities.
• Practice good infection and disease prevention and control, in health-care facilities, on farms and in general around the home.

“VICAS is a signatory to Ireland’s second One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2021-2025 (iNAP2), a joint initiative by the Departments of Health (DOH) and Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM). iNAP2 outlines over 150 actions to tackle the threat of AMR, and this survey will assist VICAS in its efforts as part of iNAP2”, concluded Dr Pigott.

Note to Editors:

Veterinary Ireland is the representative body for all veterinary practitioners in the State.  VICAS is the Veterinary Ireland Interest Group, representing those vets engaged in companion animal / pet veterinary practice.  Vet24 is the annual Veterinary Ireland Joint Conference, being held in the Gleneagle Hotel / INEC, Killarney, Co. Kerry, from Friday 11^th to Sunday 13^th October 2024, with expert speakers from companion animal, food animal and equine veterinary practice, as well as from industry, research and academia, presenting over the course of the weekend on key challenges in animal health and welfare.