Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem for the veterinary industry. It’s estimated that more than 70 percent of antibiotics given to pets are unnecessary, and overuse of these drugs can lead to bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics being used.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in such a way that makes them no longer susceptible to an antibiotic. This can happen when a person takes an antibiotic or when a pet is exposed to an antibiotic in its environment. Once antibiotic-resistant microbes are established, they can be spread easily among animals and people who come into contact with them.
Antibiotic Resistance is Caused By Three Factors:
- An inappropriate use or overuse of antibiotics.
- The spread of resistant bacteria from animals and people to other animals and people via direct contact or indirect contact through water sources, food products, and soil contamination (for example).
- Genetic mutations within microorganisms make them resistant to certain types of antibiotics even though they have not been exposed to those antibiotics before