Publications by authors named "F Lovatt"
Article Synopsis
- The study aims to enhance antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) by understanding the barriers veterinary surgeons face in changing antimicrobial prescribing practices.
- Through interviews and discussions in Northern Ireland, key barriers were identified, including commercial constraints, farmer behaviors, multiple sources of medicines, and inadequate regulatory actions.
- The study suggests that improving AMS will require behavioral changes from both vets and farmers, with a call for greater state involvement in regulating medicine sales and fostering better communication about flock health.
Sheep scab is endemic in Great Britain with an estimated national herd-level prevalence of 10.9% from a surveyed population of sheep farms. Previous studies have investigated how sheep farmers manage sheep scab on their farms in Great Britain, but there have not been any qualitative studies investigating sheep farmers perceptions on the roles different stakeholders have in the management of sheep scab.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Antibiotic use in livestock, particularly sheep, is under scrutiny due to animal welfare concerns and the potential for antibiotic resistance affecting human health, but current data on this usage in Northern Ireland is limited.
- This study aimed to analyze antibiotic consumption in 52 Northern Irish sheep farms through surveys, medicine records, and interviews with farmers, finding that the overall use was low, primarily driven by health issues like lameness and some routine prophylactic treatments.
- The study highlighted farmers’ reliance on their veterinarians for flock management, yet revealed that many were hesitant to invest in veterinary advice, despite recognizing its value for improving animal welfare and productivity.