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Study highlights benefits of oregano oil for pig production
The inclusion of oregano oil helped maintain the body condition score of lactating sows.
Researchers analyse effect of oil in 62 productive sows and piglets

The benefits of oregano essential oil for lactating sows and their offspring have been shown in new research.

Farming UK reports a study presented by Dr Melanie Le Bon of Nottingham Trent University. In the study, Dr Le Bon analysed the use of a product called Orego-Stim in sows during lactation and the effect it had on the growth of piglets.

Manufactured by Anpario, Orego-Stim is a natural product which contains oregano essential oil and is available in powder or liquid form. The main active ingredients are thymol and carvacrol - two compounds shown to have antioxidant and antimicrobial functions during animal tests.

It is for this reason that the product should be considered for the pig industry, the Nottingham Trent University researchers found.

Paper co-author Heidi Hall, also Anpario’s Swine Global Technical manager, said, “There is increasing pressure on the pig industry to reduce antimicrobial usage whilst maximising animal health and performance. Therefore, identifying sustainable alternatives is of growing interest”.

In the study, researchers analysed the effect of oregano oil in 62 productive sows and piglets on a commercial pig farm. Performance parameters assessed included sow feed intake and body condition score, alongside piglet weekly weight, mortality, medication useage and creep feed intake.

Researchers said the inclusion of oregano oil helped maintain the body condition score of lactating sows, improved piglet weight gain throughout the first week of life, reduced piglet pre-weaning mortality and significantly lowered incidence of medication usage.

Ms Hall continued: “In order to reduce the reliance upon antimicrobials at weaning, such as zinc oxide, pig farmers need to be able to produce more robust piglets. The weaning and nursery period is a critical time for developing and enhancing piglet health to ensure long term optimal performance”.

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.