New guidelines promote Ayurveda, curb antibiotics use in veterinary treatment

• The Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG), released recently by the Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry, aims to reduce and regulate the use of antibiotics to treat diseases found among the livestock and poultry.

Highlights:

• The Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry recently introduced the Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG), aimed at controlling antibiotic use in livestock and poultry to combat antimicrobial resistance.
• The guidelines also incorporate Ayurvedic drugs and ethnoveterinary practices, marking India’s first standardized treatment approach for almost all animal and bird diseases.

Key Components of SVTG:

• Medicine Details: SVTG provides specifics on medicines, including dosages, estimated requirements, duration of treatment, withdrawal periods, and possible adverse reactions.
• Ethnoveterinary Practices: Cost-effective options like traditional herbal remedies offer additional treatment choices, especially beneficial for small-scale farmers.

Importance of SVTG in Minimizing Antimicrobial Resistance:

• Economic Impact: SVTG aims to minimize antibiotic and drug usage, reducing treatment costs and economic burdens on farmers.
• Scientific Validation: Ayurvedic and herbal drugs, validated by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), are recommended for specific diseases, such as mastitis, helping reduce excessive antibiotic use.

Stakeholder Involvement and Nationwide Implementation:

• Collaboration with States: Over 80 professionals from veterinary and medical fields contributed to the guidelines, with inputs from state authorities.
• Utility for Veterinary Professionals: SVTG serves as a resource for veterinarians, paraprofessionals, and community health workers, promoting accurate and quality treatment.

Expected Outcomes and Environmental Impact:

• Safe Animal-Source Foods: By harmonizing treatment practices, SVTG seeks to produce healthier livestock and safer animal-source foods, reducing residues from antibiotics, hormones, and other drugs.
• Environmental Concerns: Reducing antibiotic use may have environmental benefits, as antibiotic residues in soil impact carbon levels and climate health, per an IISc study.

Long-Term Vision of SVTG:

• The SVTG aims for widespread adoption, enhancing the health of livestock, reducing antibiotic resistance, and offering alternative, scientifically validated ethnoveterinary treatments to ensure both animal and environmental well-being.

Prelims Takeaways

• Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG)
• Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI)