Since December 1st, 2018, all farmers, including beekeepers, have required a veterinary prescription for Medically Important Antibiotics (MIAs) as a result of changes in legislation (dubbed Antimicrobial Stewardship). Antibiotic resistance has become a real concern in the world, and it is up to all of us to preserve their effectiveness. Oxytetracycline is one such antibiotic. A beekeeper used to be able to purchase this antibiotic from a beekeeping supply store. Now, veterinarians need to oversee the treatment of each hive (indirectly) so that the antibiotic is used correctly, at the right dose and for the appropriate duration of treatment.
There are very specific guidelines for veterinarians to follow. The medication cannot just be sold. A valid VCPR (Veterinarian Client Patient Relationship) is required. In this case, the veterinarian is Dr. Fabio Tarable (Dr. T) of Arnold Crescent Animal Hospital (formerly Fabulous Acres Bee Services), the client is the beekeeper and the patient is the hive owned by the beekeeper.
Each year, Dr. T needs to communicate with each beekeeper to confirm and document how many hives they have, where they are located and that they are registered with OMAFRA. Once a file has been set up and/or verified, a personalized treatment plan will be prepared, and the medication dispensed to each beekeeper.
Dr. T’s objective is to help educate and support beekeepers during this transition as well as on an ongoing basis.
Dr. T graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1996 and has been practicing small animal medicine at the Arnold Crescent Animal Hospital since 1997. He has continued his education with a special interest in beekeeping. His intention is to be a positive influence in keeping the bee population healthy and strong. That is best accomplished through good management practices. Dr. T believes that a strong partnership between beekeepers, beekeeping supply stores, knowledgeable veterinarians and OMAFRA is the key to keeping healthy bees.
