A Survey on Antibiotic usage in Pigs and Poultry Birds in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey was conducted (June 2011 to May 2012) on antibiotic usage of 90 poultry farms and 72 piggery farms from 17 local government areas of Abia State, Nigeria. Survey questionnaires were used to identify and prioritize the antibiotics most effective and frequently used, current therapeutic and sub-therapeutic antibiotic usage patterns. The result showed that 65% of poultry and 75% of piggery farms failed to do laboratory analysis prior antibiotic usage and on most farms (70% for poultry, 65% for piggery) antibiotics were administered by the owner/manager. The mode of administration of the antibiotics was 80% through water in poultry and 80% through injection in piggery and 40% of the farmers said they always completed the course of antibiotic treatment. Twelve antibiotics including beta-lactams, streptomycin, tetracycline, macrolides, sulfa-drugs, cephalosporin etc. were used on these farms. These antibiotics were used mainly on weekly basis in poultry (65%) and fortnightly in piggery (40%). The result of this survey suggested that antibiotics are used extensively on poultry and piggery farms for therapeutics, prophylactic and growth purposes. Tetracycline and streptomycin were the most widely used antibiotics to treat mainly enteritis and pneumonia. There is a considerable variation in the management practices on poultry and piggery farms associated with antibiotic use. It is anticipated that the findings of this survey will help to develop new strategies for prudent use of antibiotics in piggery and poultry farms in Abia State, Nigeria.