Why are medicines used on farms?
Like people, farm animals sometimes get sick. And, like people, they can often be treated with appropriate drugs to cure or prevent disease. Animal health products are just one aspect of veterinary medicine and good animals care, which, along with preventive measures such as improved housing, better nutrition and modern husbandry practices, permit farmers to raise healthier, more productive animals. Vaccines are among the most important veterinary products. Just as vaccines have protected humans from small pox, polio and other cruel disease, veterinary vaccines prevent disease, which once cause considerable animal losses. Still, some diseases cannot be prevented entirely by vaccines, nutrition or hygiene. Many can now be treated with antibiotics or other drugs. As we all know, however, medicines are expensive. They are used only when required, under strict guidelines and withdrawal schedules. They can never be a good substitute for sound farm management and animal husbandry practices.
