New antibiotic regulation shines a light on the need for veterinarians

In June, the remaining over-the-counter antibiotics for livestock switched to prescription-only status, the last part in a multi-step roll out from the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations that will impact smaller producers.

Most farmers are adapting to the new regulations, but this will impact those farming on a much smaller scale such as backyard and homestead farms, says Dr. Michael Todd, who practices large animal medicine in Columbus Junction, Iowa.

Currently, farmers and owners of livestock now need to have a veterinary-patient-client relationship (VCPR) to receive a prescription of antibiotics to treat livestock. Todd says he has yet to receive more calls from new farmers eager to develop a VCPR with him and his practice. 

"Most farmers need a relationship with a veterinarian; this will have more people with backyard livestock calling for antibiotics," he says.

In central Pennsylvania, Dr. Jodi Kull, a licensed veterinarian, says that she and her many colleagues were surprised they got fewer calls about VCPRs as the deadline approached.

Kull believes that the industry, including veterinarians and large animal organizations, made a significant effort to promote information about the new regulation to help farmers prepare. She also says that, compared with the previous implemented portion of the regulation, which was in 2017 and took OTC antibiotics used in animal feed and water off the market, this tier of regulation will be much more gradual for most farmers.

"I reminded my producers that this new rule does not mean that you need a visit from the veterinarian every time you need a bottle of antibiotics because we can still prescribe over the phone with a valid VCPR," she says.

However, that could change as OTC antibiotic supplies on the farm store shelves dwindle as the regulation allows farm stores to sell until current inventory is expired without a prescription.  

Veterinarians could see increased calls from those with livestock in backyard or homestead set-ups. Kull says this change could be more abrupt for them, especially if they do not have a vet relationship. 

Todd welcomes the regulation, as it helps curb the problem of individuals misdiagnosing and treating livestock with the availability of over-the-counter antibiotics.  

"Many people like Dr. Google," says Todd.

Kull suggests that farmers or small backyard setups caring for animals without a veterinarian should start calling local practices and learn the steps needed to establish a VCPR because no one should be stuck with an emergency without the ability to call a veterinarian.

"I want them to call a veterinarian. They should call us for their questions and concerns, not just for emergencies," says Kull.

This new regulation also emphasizes the need for more large-animal veterinarians, especially in rural areas. There are a variety of drivers for the shortage, say both Todd and Kull.

Todd says that in his area of Iowa, he has seen a decline in independent swine farms and more significant commercial operations where they have veterinary services, so there is a lesser need for more than one independent veterinary practice in an area, but that increases the workload, which also increases stress, too.

The American Veterinary Medical Association's Census of Veterinarians and Veterinary Practice Owners found that veterinarians saw fewer patients per hour, and average productivity declined by almost 25% in 2020 compared with 2019. The association also noted that the irregular flow of patients and clients from the height of the pandemic has caused some practices to see a decline in productivity and a higher turnover, which has caused some veterinarians and their teams to feel overworked and overstretched. 

Another reason: many large animal veterinarians' billable hours are on farms, but they also spend much of their day traveling from farm to farm across a wide region. 

Around the new FDA regulation deadline, Kull announced to her producers that she was stepping away from her practice, Valley Vet Mobile, to join Penn State University's veterinary and biomedical department as an assistant teaching professor.

"I love my practice and being a veterinarian, but it was time for a change — it is a change of pace," she says.