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Oregano oil can reduce antimicrobial resistance in calves - study
Scientists found that adding oregano oil to a calf's diet can significantly reduce levels of E.coli bacteria that are resistant to a fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic.

Scientists measure effect of Orego-Stim on Holstein male calves

Oregano essential oil can reduce antimicrobial resistance in calves, according to a trial conducted by the University of Reading.

Scientists found that adding oregano oil to a calf’s diet can significantly reduce levels of E.coli bacteria that are resistant to a fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic.

They have described the results as “very promising, offering a potential solution in helping to reduce the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.”


In the trial, researchers fed waste milk containing Orego-Stim - a 100 per cent natural source of oregano essential oil - to dairy calves. They then measured the population of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the calves’ faeces.

The team fed Holstein male calves either waste milk containing Orego-Stim for ten days, or a control diet of the same waste milk, without the addition of the oregano oil. After 10 days, all of the calves were fed the same quantity of untreated waste milk and concentrates until weaning.

In the faeces of calves fed waste milk without oregano oil, 44.1 per cent of E. coli present were resistant to the cephalosporin antibiotic (cefquinome). On calves fed waste milk supplemented with the oregano oil until day 10, however, this fell to just 12.6 per cent of total E. coli being resistant to cefquinome.


Author Dr Partha Ray, a lecturer in dairy animal science, said: “Oregano essential oil supplementation not only reduced the abundance of cefquinome-resistant E. coli but also delayed the emergence of resistance to cefquinome.”


“We are conducting further studies to understand the mechanism underlying the effect of Orego-Stim feeding on antimicrobial resistance in the gut of young cattle. Improving our understanding of the mechanism is the only way we can refine the practice of feeding the essential oil-based supplement to make it more sustainable.” 


Co-author Dr Caroline Rymer, associate professor of animal science, added: “Feeding supplements which have antimicrobial activity may themselves encourage the development of antimicrobial resistance. It was therefore very pleasing that there was no evidence that feeding Orego-Stim increased the resistance of E. coli to any of the antibiotic classes tested.

“It was even more promising that resistance to the critically important cefquinome was reduced”.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.