Veterinarians have been urged to always conduct proper diagnoses before prescribing antibiotics to animals, as incorrect diagnoses often render subsequent treatments ineffective.
The Chairman of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), Prof. Chinedu Akwoubu, gave the advice while speaking on “Practical Steps for Clinicians in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)” during a workshop for consultants, clinicians, and paraprofessionals on Friday in Makurdi.
The event was organised by VTH, JOSTUM, in collaboration with the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA).
Prof. Akwoubu warned that the misuse of antibiotics without confirming bacterial infections is fuelling antimicrobial resistance in Nigeria, posing a serious threat to both animal and human health.
“Once diagnosis is not properly done, every subsequent stage becomes problematic. Antibiotics should never be prescribed unless the cause of the illness has been properly identified,” he said.
He explained that antibiotics are classified into three categories: those with low resistance potential, those with moderate to high resistance potential, and reserved antibiotics with very high resistance potential, which should only be used as a last resort.
The professor also stressed the importance of hygiene in clinical practice, urging clinicians and technologists to wash their hands or wear clean gloves before collecting samples. “Use only approved sample bottles, not any other container, no matter how clean it appears,” he advised.
He further urged veterinarians to lead by example by stopping the sale or processing of dead animals for consumption, warning that such practices endanger public health.
Earlier, the Benue Chairman of NVMA, Dr. Andrew Amine, noted that bridging the gap between clinicians and paraprofessionals is a challenging task. He said the workshop was organised to foster collaboration rather than antagonism among professionals in the sector.
The AMR Focal Person at VTH, Dr. Allabeh Grema, spoke on “Strengthening Integrated Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Nigeria,” explaining that the workshop aimed to develop a comprehensive passive AMR data-sharing and reporting framework to standardise data collection across animal and environmental sectors.
He described passive AMR surveillance as the collection of data from routine diagnostic samples submitted to laboratories rather than targeted studies. “This approach allows for informed decision-making to mitigate the risks associated with antimicrobial resistance,” Grema said.
The Director of VTH, Prof. Abdullahi Elsa, said the workshop was designed to enlighten participants about antimicrobial resistance and its growing threat to human and animal health. He lamented that many farmers administer antibiotics to animals without professional guidance, often leading to treatment failure and increased resistance.
Elsa advised farmers to always consult trained veterinarians, paraprofessionals, and technologists for proper diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases.
