Description for infographic - Antimicrobial resistance and animal health
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat that impacts animals, people, plants and the environment. It occurs when microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites develop resistance to the antimicrobial medicine we use to treat them.
Antimicrobials are vital to animal health and welfare, and key to treating and preventing many illnesses and infections. However, overuse or misuse of antimicrobials can increase the development and spread of AMR.
The risk of AMR is that infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections and minor injuries like scrapes and cuts that were once easily treatable with common antimicrobials become harder to treat or, in some cases, become completely untreatable.
Microbes
Microbes or microorganisms are tiny living things found all around us but are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Common types include bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Antimicrobial medicines
Antimicrobial medicines only work on specific types of infections caused by microbes. For example:
- antibiotics – treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia or skin infections
- antivirals – treat viral infections such as feline herpes virus
- antifungals – treat fungal infections such as fungal skin infections
- antiparasitics - treat parasitic infections such as tape worms, heart worms or fleas
Why it matters
The misuse and overuse of antimicrobials can lead to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance which can negatively impact the health and wellness of pets, livestock and humans.
There are over 200 known types of zoonotic diseases and more than 60% of human pathogens are zoonotic in origin. Zoonotic diseases are those that can pass between animals and humans. When antimicrobial resistance occurs in zoonotic diseases, it could risk the effectiveness of treatment in both animals and humans.
AMR can lead to significant losses in food animal production which can impact livelihoods and lead to food insecurity.
canada.ca/cfia-antimicrobial-resistance