When do honey bees need a veterinarian?

A vet is needed when antibiotics are needed for the management of bacterial brood disease.

In U.S. honey bees, antibiotic use is limited to two bacterial diseases: American foulbrood and European foulbrood.

These are the situations where I can examine brood, document findings, and provide the veterinary authorization needed to treat bacterial disease when medically appropriate.

The window to treat
is before honey flow

The window to treat is before honey flow

Antibiotics carry withdrawal periods of four to six weeks.

Treating during honey flow can make that crop unmarketable, which is why suspected bacterial disease is best addressed early.

If you’re seeing concerning brood signs in spring or early summer, that is the time to call.

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