Standard Treatment Guidelines for the Veterinary Services in Liberia (Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Sector).

These Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG) for terrestrial and aquatic animals is a sectoral document aiming at strengthening the implementation of regulations on antimicrobial use in both the animal and human sectors. This will be done through (i) enhancing data collection on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to support informed decision-making; (ii) establishing stricter controls on antimicrobial sales to ensure responsible distribution; (iii) promoting the use of high-quality, regulated medications and fostering awareness to reduce the reliance on counterfeit drugs; (iv) encouraging prudent antibiotic use in livestock and agriculture, alongside well-defined treatment guidelines and robust infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in farms, slaughterhouses, and veterinary clinics to safeguard public and animal health. Overall, the goal is to enhance veterinary services for better disease control and public health protection. Specific objectives outlined in the document are (i) provision of information on epidemiology, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of terrestrial and aquatic animals namely cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, honeybees, and fish; (ii) provision of standardized guidance to practitioners for animal health service providers to concentrate on making the correct diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control protocols; (iii) promotion of high quality of care by directing practitioners to the most appropriate drugs for specific conditions.
Key measures outlined in the document include the implementation of routine surveillance for key diseases, strengthening border inspection systems, and improving the distribution of veterinary medicines. The Guidelines recommend limiting the distribution of veterinary drugs to licensed veterinarians and pharmacies, enhancing the quality of vaccines, and controlling residues in food of animal origin. These measures are designed to address public health risks and ensure compliance with international trade standards, supporting the overall effectiveness of veterinary services in Liberia. The various diseases are analyzed across different animal species, highlighting their causes, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.