Selenium

Policy

That prescription selenium animal remedies should be prescribed or dispensed according to established need. Veterinarians will properly manage the risks associated with prescribing/dispensing such products.

Explanation

Selenium is an essential trace element but can be toxic if used in excess. The therapeutic index for selenised animal remedies is low and the risks associated with the use of some of these products are managed by PAR classification. Cases of poisonings associated with the use of selenised products continue to be reported on a regular basis.

Pure selenium compounds, which require dilution before use, are only available from veterinarians. Selenised vaccines and most selenised drenches have been made OTC.

Guidelines

1. Veterinarians should make every effort to educate their farmer clients as to the selenium requirements of their livestock and options for meeting them, so that clients can make informed decisions.
2. Veterinarians should know or reasonably evaluate the selenium level of stock, before recommending a selenised animal remedy.
3. Veterinarians may allow OTC selenised products to be purchased without prescription, if advice is not sought. However veterinarians should advise that the concurrent use of other selenised products is hazardous and may cause poisoning.
4. Do not add selenium concentrates (which are PARs) to a drench, except for use on animals under your immediate care.
5. Do not add selenium concentrates (which are PARs) to a drench unless you, the veterinarian, have had a consultation (as defined in the Animal Remedies Act or successive legislation) with the farmer directly or by phone.
6. If selenium is added, ensure correct addition rates and ensure correct advice is given for mixing and for use. This should be in writing.
7. Selenium should be added strictly according to evaluated requirement and professional behaviour should not be compromised by commercial considerations, such as the source of a drench.
8. Practices should establish a confidential database for each client’s farm, which includes the selenium status.
9. Ensure charging is seen to be reasonable and transparently fair for the service given. Charges should cover testing and/or time taken to ascertain requirement; cost of selenium plus reasonable mark up and reasonable charge to cover risk of liability for human error.

Policy Files: 

2f - Selenium - 16Nov06.pdf