Technical Tip

Orego-Stim Supports Ruminant Gut Health During Worm Challenge

WHAT ARE GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODES (WORMS)?

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) are parasitic worms, some species of which spend part of their lifecycle within the stomach or intestines of sheep and cattle. In moderate climates, species such as the brown stomach worm (Ostertagia ostertagi), roundworm (Cooperia oncophora) and Barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) may be found. Treatment of disease caused by these parasitic worms is estimated to cost tens of billions worldwide and this doesn’t account for production losses as a result of infection. In dairy cattle production, some estimates put this cost second only to mastitis.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Specific symptoms depend on a number of factors:

Species of worm
Where they reside in the animal
Total worm burden
General health of the animal

In general, the animal will present signs of anaemia – dark coloured faeces, weakness, weight loss, decreased feed intake, and even sudden death. GINs usually affect vulnerable animals, such as youngstock, adult animals with a compromised immune system, or animals with a particularly high worm burden.

WHAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE?

There are a large number of wormers (anthelmintics) on the market, including broad-spectrum, narrow spectrum and combination treatments. Most worm control is carried out with a broad-spectrum wormer.

WHAT IS ANTHELMINTIC RESISTANCE?

When an anthelmintic is applied at the correct dose and any worms survive, there is said to be resistance. If 5% or more survive, then it can be concluded that anthelmintic resistance exists in that worm population. The resistance is not usually notices until survival is at 50%, as this is when production losses become substantial. Over time, anthelmintic resistance increased in roundworm populations, and treatment therefore becomes gradually less effective (Stubbings et al, 2020).

HOW CAN OREGANO ESSENTIAL OIL (OEO) HELP?

Disruption to the lifecycle of the roundworm is the best way to reduce the impact of any resultant disease. Controlling the development of the larvae and reducing the population in the environment helps to reduce the challenge on the animal, whilst enabling natural immunity to develop. Natural OEO has many properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant and immunomodulatory functions. It also possesses anthelmintic properties as the active ingredients in OEO have been shown to cause substantial damage to the larvae’s cuticle and digestive tissues (Williams et al., 2014).

INTRODUCING OREGO-STIM

Orego-Stim, manufactured by Anpario, is a consistently high-quality source of 100% natural OEO with product formulations suitable for organic production systems available. Orego-Stim offers a profitable return on investment and is available as both a powder and liquid for flexible application in feed, milk or drinking water.

In ruminant species OEO has been shown to:

Support intestinal health
Maintain growth performance
Maintain a healthy immune system
Help maintain performance during infection with parasitic worms and can support the action of control programmes

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Stubbings, L., Bartley, D., Busin, V., Lovatt, F., Page, P., Rose Vineer, H., Skuce, P. (2020) SCOPS Technical Manual.Williams, A. R., Fryganas, C., Ramsay, A., Mueller-Harvey, I. and Thamsborg, S. M. (2014) Direct anthelmintic effects of condensed tannins from diverse plant sources against Ascaris suum. PLoS ONE, 9 (5). pp. 1-16. ISSN 1932-6203.

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