Animal Health Institute

Pet owners rely on routine veterinary care and animal health products to keep their pets healthy, prevent diseases like rabies, and avoid fleas and ticks. In fact, a study by NDP Analytics says that 86% percent of pet owners say they would pay whatever it takes to address extensive veterinary needs. Over the 15-year average lifetime of a pet, health care expenditures like medications, parasite control, vaccinations, checkups, and dental care are estimated to be at least $8,010 for a dog and $5,610 for a cat. Learn more about owner spending on pets in the U.S.: https://lnkd.in/dR3agQVp #animalhealth #veterinarycare #pethealth #petcosts #animaldiseases #vaccinations #petowners

Congratulations to Rachel Cumberbatch, DVM, AHI’s Vice President of Regulatory and International Affairs, on her reappointment to the USDA’s Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee (ATAC). We’re proud Rachel will be adding her voice to the committee that advises and makes recommendations to USDA and USTR on matters involving trade.  See the full press release here: https://bit.ly/4acKUzY #animalhealth #agriculture #tradepolicy

AHI commends the FDA for protecting the health of pets through their recent efforts to enforce laws governing animal medicines. The FDA issued warning letters to six sellers of unapproved animal drugs being illegally marketed with claims to treat seizures. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3PuRcl4 #animalhealth #animaldrugs #animalmedicine #pethealth

Dogs have been proven to improve the lives of humans both mentally and physically, but do you know the best ways to keep your dog healthy? Read on for some important tips: https://bit.ly/3WaGweV

Diabetes is both common and treatable in pets. While certain health factors may play a role, read more for signs that your pet may be afflicted and learn about treatment options: https://lnkd.in/g-utZjE5 #animalhealth #pethealth #diabetes #veterinarian #veterinarycare

Studies show that our dogs miss us the moment we leave the house and that feeling slowly intensifies until we are gone for about four hours and they have a "plateau of melancholy." That's why the longer you're away, the more excited your dog is when you return home. Researchers from the Universities of Pisa and Perugia, Italy have found that if you give your dog some affection before you leave the house they'll have less anxiety while you're away. Take a look: https://bit.ly/4ie5LXg #pets #animalhealth #dogs #dogowners

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving filled with love, joy and lots of turkey today! 🍗 🍂 p.s. see our post from yesterday to ensure #foodsafety for you and your guests (and your pets!) #happythanksgiving #thanksgiving #grateful #family #blessed

To meet the global public health challenge of antibiotic resistance, we must look beyond species and geography. The animal health industry is meeting its goals for responsible use of antibiotics, and coordinated action is necessary across humans, animals, and environment. A study from University of Edinburgh explored the relationship between animal use and human AMR, finding that “curtailing the volume of antibiotics consumed by food animals has, as a stand-alone measure, little impact on the level of resistance in humans.” Other research has found that the majority of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are transferred through person-to-person contact, particularly in healthcare settings. A Lancet study analyzed more than a decade of data in the Netherlands to identify the source of resistant E. coli genes in people, finding that 78.6 percent is from human-to-human transmission, environment, or other sources while 21.4 percent is from meat, seafood, or contact with farm animals. The good news is that nearly 200 nations around the world are taking collective action to address the global health challenge of animal antibiotic resistance, and the effort is showing results. Antibiotic use in veterinary care declined 20% between 2016 and 2019, according to the most recent data from the World Organization for Animal Health. This progress is thanks to the growing adoption of preventative veterinary tools, including vaccines, pro- and pre-biotics, and enhanced biosecurity measures. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3YX938r #WAAW #AMR #antibiotics #antimicrobials #antibioticresistance #animalhealth #veterinarycare

This World Antibiotics Awareness Week, the animal health industry recognizes the importance of responsible antibiotic use and stewardship as well as the progress toward reducing the need for antibiotics. According to a report from HealthforAnimals, data across major markets shows a declining need for antimicrobial use. In the UK, antimicrobial sales for livestock dropped by 59% between 2014 and 2022, with a 82% reduction in the use of highest-priority, critically important antimicrobials. In the wider EU, use has fallen 53% since 2011, and up to 68% in large markets like Germany. In the US sales of medically important antibiotics dropped 36% since 2015. And according to the most recent data from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), antibiotic use in veterinary care declined 20% between 2016 and 2019. These reductions have occurred as use of prevention products, like vaccines, have dramatically risen. Data from the world’s largest animal health companies shows that since 2015, sales of antibiotics have declined 29.9 percent while sales of vaccines have increased 33.1 percent. Biosecurity measures, which refers to the physical measures that are used to prevent the spread of disease on and between farms, are a vital component in reducing AMR. A study of EU swine found that increasing biosecurity and vaccination led to a reduction in antimicrobial usage by 52% for fattening pigs and 32% for breeding animals. And a review of 27 studies across 16 countries found that 70% of results showed a positive association between farm biosecurity and management with a reduction in antimicrobial use. Ultimately, a One Health approach that incorporates human and veterinary medicine must focus simultaneously on disease prevention and optimized antibiotic use where it will have outsized impacts. Growing recognition of the One Health approach has inspired a shift toward more responsible antibiotic use and stewardship. Learn more about the declining need for antimicrobials here: https://bit.ly/3YX938r #WAAW #antibiotics #AMR #animalhealth #veterinarymedicine #antibioticresistance #antimicrobialresistance #onehealth

It’s World Antibiotics Awareness Week, and AHI is encouraged that the global quest to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is yielding results. A report developed with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) showcases the ways prevention serves as the foundation of responsible use and action against AMR. “…FAO will support agrifood producers to adopt good practices to reduce the need for antimicrobial use and preserve the efficacy of these life-saving medicines for future generations,” said Thanawat Tiensin, FAO Director of Animal Health and Production Division. The FAO report states, “…the responsibility of curbing AMR does not fall on any one organization or country alone. It is a collective duty that requires the cooperation of governments, industry, stakeholders, researchers, and the public.” To that end, nearly 200 nations around the world are taking collective, and the effort is showing results. As stewardship has increased, the need for antibiotics has declined. In September of this year, a United Nations political declaration on antimicrobial resistance was adopted. The declaration represents a global consensus for better animal health and disease prevention. And though the animal health sector has already made enormous contributions toward slowing AMR by reducing the need for antibiotics, action in animal health alone is not enough to neutralize the threat to human health. Studies have found that the majority of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are transferred through person-to-person contact, particularly in healthcare settings. A Lancet study analyzed more than a decade of data in the Netherlands to identify the source of resistant E. coli genes in people, finding that 78.6 percent is from human-to-human transmission, environment, or other sources while 21.4 percent is from meat, seafood, or contact with farm animals. Tackling antibiotic resistance in the animal health sector alone is only one part of the puzzle. More and better data and surveillance of drug resistance hotspots can continue to shape more effective policies for human and animal health care. Learn more about World Antibiotic Awareness Week: https://bit.ly/3ObOlgb #animalhealth #WAAW #antibioticawareness #AMR #antimicrobialresistance #antibioticresistance