Public Health England (PHE), the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and leading pet owner awareness charity The Bella Moss Foundation (BMF) are urging animal lovers to join the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance means that an antibiotic has lost its ability to effectively control or kill the bacteria for which it has been given. Whilst resistance is a natural process, the inappropriate and overuse of antibiotics can speed up the development of antibiotic resistance. Infections caused by resistant bacteria have become a major threat to human and animal health. Treatment options are becoming increasingly limited and they can lead to death in severe cases.

The UK is a nation of proud animal lovers, keeping an estimated nine million dogs, eight million cats, over one million pet rabbits and 25 million indoor fish. Despite this many pet and horse owners do not realise that animals, like humans, can contract antibiotic resistant bugs, such as MRSA and even urinary tract infections.

In support of 2015 European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD), which runs alongside World Antibiotic Awareness Week, PHE, VMD and BMF are calling on members of the public including pet owners to commit to tackling antibiotic resistance by becoming Antibiotic Guardians. Antibiotic Guardian is a campaign led by PHE where people are asked to make one pledge about a personal action they will take to help combat antibiotic resistance.

Dedicated pledges that pet owners can take in becoming Antibiotic Guardians include:

  • To help reduce the risk of my animal getting an infection which requires antibiotic treatment, I will keep them healthy through exercise, good nutrition, relevant vaccination, suitable accommodation and by having regular veterinary health checks
  • If my vet gives me antibiotics for my animal, I will follow the instructions provided and I will not change the dosage or stop the therapy early
  • If my vet gives me antibiotics for my animal, I will not re-use antibiotics given for an earlier illness or give them to other animals or animal owners and I will dispose of unused or out of date products properly
  • I will not request antibiotics if my vet has not recommended or given them to me
  • I will support vets' efforts to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance by better understanding where and when antibiotics are needed e.g. by being familiar with the Protect ME campaign from the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA)

There are already over 18,000 Antibiotic Guardians. PHE, the VMD and the BMF are calling on all pet owners and animal carers to play their part and help increase sign ups to this important campaign. This year PHE has set a target of 100,000 Antibiotic Guardians by March 2016.

BMF is the only public-facing charity that works with vets and pet owners dealing with antibiotic resistance in animals. The charity was started nine years ago after its founder's beloved dog died from an MRSA infection. Since then, BMF has helped and supported thousands of vets and pet owners around the world. As well as continuing to field weekly enquiries from concerned pet owners whose animals' have infections, BMF is continually adding to its range of education and practical tools to help vets keep their practices clean and stop infection.

Jill Moss, founder of The Bella Moss Foundation, said:

"Antibiotic resistance stories have not been far from the headlines in the past couple of years, as the medical profession, researchers and politicians have stepped up work to raise awareness and find new ways of tackling resistance.

"But it's easy to forget that animals, as well as people, take these vital drugs too - and we have a responsibility to use veterinary antibiotics correctly to keep our pets safe.

"While we don't know for sure how many antibiotics are given to pets we do know more doctors are prescribing them for people, and that more super-resistant types of bacteria are starting to emerge around the world. These potentially fatal infections can travel from 

humans to pets and back again, and we could all be at risk unless we make a concerted effort to use these precious drugs responsibly - both in people and in the pets we love."

Jill added: "When I lost my dog Bella to an antibiotic resistant infection I lost a member of my family - I want all pet owners to be aware that antibiotic resistance can affect pets and to pledge their support to PHE's Antibiotic Guardian campaign - it's a simple pledge that will help keep our furry family members healthy and make sure we can still use these life-saving drugs for years to come."

Dr Diane Ashiru-Oredope, Pharmacist Lead for the Antimicrobial Resistance programme at PHE and lead for the Antibiotic Guardian campaign, said:

"It's really important that we educate all pet owners that it is not just humans who can be affected by antibiotic resistant bugs; animals are also at risk. Antibiotic Guardian is a one health campaign encouraging healthcare professionals and the public; including pet owners, farmers and veterinarians to make a pledge about a personal action they can take to safeguard our antibiotics.

"We are pleased to be working closely with The Bella Moss Foundation to promote awareness of antibiotic resistance among animals. Many people do not realise that antibiotic resistant bacteria can pass between humans and animals and vice versa, therefore it's important that people are aware of how transmission of these bugs can occur and how to minimise any risk, for example by practicing careful hand hygiene at all times. "Just like people, pets sometimes become unwell and need antibiotics to get better. It is important that the antibiotics are taken as prescribed and at the right intervals to keep the right concentration of antibiotic in the bloodstream to kill the infection. Even if your pet isn't keen on the idea of taking tablets, we are urging pet owners to ensure they do, and always as prescribed."

Professor Pete Borriello, Chief Executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, said:

"Resistance to antibiotics is a global health issue. We all have a responsibility as patients and animal owners to use antibiotics correctly so they remain effective in keeping us and our animals healthy.

"Animal owners can take action to use antibiotics responsibly by following the treatment instructions, completing the course and not re-using or requesting them. By signing up as Antibiotic Guardians to do this we can all help reduce the risk antibiotic resistance poses to human and animal health."