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National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System
(NARMS) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Antibiotic
Resistance - Why are antibiotics used in food-producing
animals? |
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| NARMS Home
> FAQ
Antibiotic Resistance
> Why
are antibiotics used in food-producing animals?
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| Antibiotics are used in food-producing
animals for three major reasons. First, antibiotics
are used to treat sick animals. Second, antibiotics
are used in the absence of disease to prevent diseases
during times when animals may be susceptible to infections.
This use affects a larger number of animals, because
it usually involves treating a whole herd or flock,
which increases the likelihood of selecting for organisms
that are resistant to the antibiotic. In these two examples,
high doses of antibiotics are used for short periods
of time. Third, antibiotics are commonly given in the
feed at low doses for long periods to promote the growth
of cattle, poultry, and swine. In the 1950s studies
showed that animals given low doses of antibiotics gained
more weight for a given amount of feed than untreated
animals. Exactly how this occurs is unknown. This effect
appears to be less effective or absent in animal production
settings with good sanitation. |
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Date:
June 1, 2005
Content source: National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases (ZVED)
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