Public service Antibiotic consumption in veterinary medicine is decreasing
Veterinary medicine is using antibiotics less and less. A decline in the use of active substances was observed in pigs and poultry in particular.
11.11.2025, 16:07
SDA
The use of critical antibiotics has also decreased, as reported by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) on Tuesday. The data shows that veterinarians and farmers are aware of the importance of responsible use of antibiotics and are largely implementing the measures and instruments introduced in recent years.
According to the FSVO, cattle have received the largest quantity of antibiotics and in particular critical antibiotics. They also have the highest number of treatments per 1000 animals, with a total of over one million treatments in 2024. Dairy cows are treated particularly frequently, followed by breeding and fattening cattle.
For dogs, cats and horses, the quantities of active substances prescribed and the total number of treatments have remained stable, the report continued.
According to the FSVO, holders of a marketing authorization for antibiotics for veterinary use have been obliged to report all their antibiotic sales since 2008. Since 2019, veterinary practices have also had to report all prescriptions for preparations containing antibiotics.
