2022 AAFP/AAHA Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines

A World Without Antibiotics?

Imagine what it would be like if antibiotics were no longer effective, and illness and infection had to go untreated. That’s not a world anyone wants to live in. Antimicrobial resistance threatens animal and human health, and veterinarians are on the frontlines of preventing its spread.

The 2022 AAFP/AAHA Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines are the busy practitioner’s go-to resource for tackling the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Created with a commitment to responsible antimicrobial use, these guidelines offer practical advice and evidence-based recommendations for the veterinary team to optimize therapeutic efficiency, minimize pathogen resistance to antimicrobials, and protect public and animal health.

In these guidelines, veterinarians and team members will find actionable strategies for common clinical scenarios, focusing on sensible prescribing practices, smart use of diagnostics, recognition of risk factors, and client education. By making antimicrobial stewardship principles integral to everyday practice, veterinarians can do their part to combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Look to the guidelines for these key topics:

• High level, practical strategies for responsible antimicrobial use in common clinical case scenarios
• Therapeutic alternatives to be used before, or with, antimicrobial therapy
• How to use “watchful waiting” to minimize antimicrobial use
• How to work with clients and animal caregivers to ensure judicious use of antimicrobials

*IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and Zoetis generously supported the development of the 2022 AAFP/AAHA Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines and resources through an educational grant to AAHA.