CURRENT
USE OF
ANTIBIOTICS BY
VETERINARIANS
On ballots numbered from 1 to 30, CVO Facilitated Discussion participants indicated the
number that most accurately describes their own individual assessment of the current
status of the use of antibiotics by veterinarians in Ontario. A score of 30 would indicate
that the current situation is “ideal” i.e. a well-coordinated, effective and appropriate
approach by veterinarians that provides strong value to animals, producers, veterinarians,
processors, retailers and consumers. A score of 1 would indicate that the current
situation is “very poor” i.e. an uncoordinated, ineffective and inappropriate approach by
veterinarians that provides limited value to animals, producers, veterinarians, processors,
retailers and consumers.
The results for all of the species groups are shown in Figure 4. It is noteworthy that the
average score assessing the current use of antibiotics by veterinarians involved in foodproducing animal practice in Ontario was 17.9 out of 30, which is slightly lower than
60% (18 out of 30). Interestingly, swine veterinarians had the highest score amongst the
species groups, and cattle veterinarians had the lowest.
It is noteworthy that the average
score assessing the current use
of antibiotics by veterinarians
involved in food-producing animal
practice in Ontario was 17.9 out
of 30, which is slightly lower than
60%.
30
25
Avg = 17.9
Number of Respondents
20
Never
15
Sheep/Goats
Poultry
10
Cattle
5
0
1 2
very poor
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19
Rank of Current Status
20
22
23 24 25
26 27 28 29
30
ideal
Figure 4: Veterinarians’ Perception of Current Status of Antibiotic Use by Veterinarians in Food-Producing
Animals in Ontario
27
Antibiotic Use in Food-Producing Animals in Ontario: A Study of the Current Practises and Perceptions of Ontario Veterinarians