Treating bacterial diseases in horses—or really, in any species—is much easier when the causative agents are sensitive to available antibiotics. But unfortunately, this isn’t always the case anymore: antibiotic-resistant bacteria are popping up all over the world.

"While the development of new antimicrobials initially outpaced the development of bacterial resistance, the trend has reversed over the last 10 years," explained Steeve Giguère, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, a professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and the Marguerite Thomas Hodgson Chair in Equine Studies. "This has resulted in the emergence of resistant bacteria as a major worldwide problem.

"Judicious use of antimicrobials is essential to maximize treatment efficacy while minimizing development of bacterial resistance, occurrence of adverse reactions, and relapses," Giguère said.

So when a veterinarian is faced with a sick equine neonate, how can he or she ensure they’re treating the problem effectively without adding to the resistant bacteria problem? Giguère offered some tips at the 2013 Society for Theriogenology Conference, held Aug. 7-10 in Louisville, Ky