Dechra launches new campaign to encourage responsible use of antibiotics

28 April 2016

New products with SmartTab® technology to support veterinary professionals.

Dechra Veterinary Products has unveiled new products with innovative tablet technology in a bid to encourage more responsible use of antibiotics in practice.

Dechra has introduced two new drugs to the UK and ROI markets - Metrobactin^®, which is the first veterinary licensed metronidazole tablet for the treatment of anaerobic infections in dogs and cats, and Amoxibactin^®, the only flavoured, double-divisible amoxicillin tablet for the treatment of urinary, reproductive and airway infections in dogs and cats.

Coupled with SmartTab technology, that includes innovative features such as double divisible tablets to ensure accurate and flexible dosing along with multiple dose strengths per product, Dechra said it hoped the latest moves would help vets engage with responsible antimicrobial stewardship.

Larry King, Marketing Manager UK & Ireland, explained: “Dechra is acutely aware of the importance of using antibiotics responsibly and we appreciate that antibiotics are an important but complex area of veterinary medicine.”

“Each case should be judged on its merits and considered use of antibiotics should be the practice, rather than using antibiotics as a precaution. Dechra suggests that antimicrobials are only used when an infection has been documented and, if possible, choices made on the results of culture and sensitivity testing and/or cytology testing. We encourage clinicians to consider other treatment options before using systemic antibiotics, for example, cases of surface pyoderma can receive topical treatment.”

“Using narrower spectrum antibiotics reduces the selection pressure for resistance in commensal bacteria and if antibiotics are not resolving an infection, the diagnosis may be incorrect or there may be an underlying disease process.”

Larry King added: “The launch of Metrobactin and Amoxibactin will support our existing Clavudale® antibiotic that combines amoxicillin and clavulanic acid and is part of our commitment to improve the options for treatment and responsible management of antibiotics.”

The new SmartTab technology allows tablets to be easily divided into equal halves or quarters to ensure accurate dosing and avoid risking the development of antibiotic resistance associated with under dosing. The natural meat flavouring encourages animals to accept the tablets, ensuring the full course is completed. With multiple dose strengths per product and blister packs making them quick and easy to dispense, SmartTabs will reduce unnecessary exposure when dispensing in practice.

Larry King said: “SmartTab’s innovative features will play a large role in the effective and responsible use of antibiotics. Dechra will be progressively introducing further antibiotics featuring SmartTab technology to support practices when dispensing antibiotics.”