Effect of apitherapy in piglets with preweaning diarrhea

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Science
• Apitherapy

Background:

• Bacterial diarrhea is a significant health concern in preweaning piglets, leading to substantial economic losses in the swine industry.
• Conventional treatments for bacterial diarrhea in piglets often involve antibiotics, raising concerns about antimicrobial resistance and drug residues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) venom applied via acupuncture for treating bacterial diarrhea in preweaning piglets.
• To compare the effectiveness and safety of bee venom therapy against a standard drug treatment regimen.

Main Methods:

• Preweaning piglets diagnosed with bacterial diarrhea were divided into two groups: a bee venom-treated group and a drug-treated control group.
• The bee venom group (47 piglets) received acupuncture with worker honeybees at acupoints GV-1 (Jiao-chao) and ST-25 (Hai-men) for three consecutive days.
• The control group (44 piglets) received intramuscular injections of colistin sulfate and berberine daily for three days.

Main Results:

• A high recovery rate was observed in both groups: 93.6% in the bee venom-treated group and 90.9% in the drug-treated control group.
• Bee acupuncture therapy demonstrated no adverse side effects, including allergy, intoxication, hemorrhage, or infection.
• The efficacy of bee venom therapy in treating bacterial diarrhea was comparable to the conventional drug treatment.

Conclusions:

• Honeybee venom therapy, administered through acupuncture, is an effective treatment for bacterial diarrhea in preweaning piglets.
• Apitherapy presents a safe and promising alternative to conventional antibiotic treatments for bacterial diarrhea in swine.
• Further research into apitherapy can contribute to sustainable and effective animal healthcare practices.