Since their inception, antimicrobial agents have been used in multiple ways to enhance the health and well-being of humans and animals. Today, in developed countries, we presume that antimicrobial agents will cure the vast majority of bacterial diseases. However, bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents is an emerging problem that challenges the biomedical professions and public health. Additionally, the use of antimicrobial agents in animal agriculture has been implicated as contributing to bacterial resistance in human medicine. Veterinary medicine plays a key role in helping mitigate the potential increase of antimicrobial resistance.;This study was developed with the overall goal to enhance knowledge on the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine. This overall goal was addressed through the four following objectives: (1) Evaluate growth, morbidity, and mortality of Holstein heifer calves fed milk replacer with or without oxytetracycline and neomycin add, (2) Determine the steady state pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline administered in milk replacer, (3) Compare minimum inhibitory concentrations of Escherichia coli and Pasteurella multocida isolated from calves fed milk replacer with or without antimicrobial agents, and (4) Develop a computer-aided learning program on the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine to be used in veterinary school curricula.;Findings are briefly summarized below. Calves fed medicated milk replacer (MMR) were heavier at 42 and 150 days of age than calves fed non-medicated milk replacer. Risk factors that influenced weight gain were treatment group, birth weight, season of birth, and having an episode of respiratory disease. Though there was no difference in morbidity between treatment groups. There was a numeric difference with mortality, as the medicated group had lower mortality rates.;Plasma concentrations of oxytetracycline in dairy calves fed medicated milk replacer were below minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for Escherichia coli and Pasteurella multocida. For Pasteurella multocida, the medicated group did have a higher MIC90 compared to the non-supplemented calves, while for Escherichia coli there was no difference.;A website was developed which contains a 'Principle' module that goes over the basics of antimicrobial resistance and the role of antimicrobial use in animal and human health. There are also multiple 'Case Study' modules that apply these principles to specific clinical situations involving dairy and beef cattle, small animals, pocket pets and swine. Each module is about how a veterinary student or veterinarian investigates an issue concerning the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents. Within each module there are videos, animations, and questions to engage the learner.;In conclusion, MMR increases growth in dairy calves and plasma levels of oxytetracycline do not reach MIC values for either pathogen tested. Feeding MMR during the first few weeks of life may be beneficial to reduce mortality but given the concern regarding potential development of resistance, MMR not be feed for the entire suckling period.
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