Download PDF
Homeopathy 2010; 99(01): 57-62
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2009.10.003
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2009

Homeopathy as replacement to antibiotics in the case of Escherichia coli diarrhoea in neonatal piglets

I. Camerlink
1   Biological Farming Systems Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
,
L. Ellinger
2   Centaurea, Orderparkweg 5, 7312 EN Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
,
E.J. Bakker
3   Biometris, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
,
E.A. Lantinga
1   Biological Farming Systems Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

Received06 April 2009
revised26 September 2009

accepted28 October 2009

Publication Date:
20 December 2017 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Background: The use of antibiotics in the livestock sector is increasing to such an extent that it threatens negative consequences for human health, animal health and the environment. Homeopathy might be an alternative to antibiotics. It has therefore been tested in a randomised placebo-controlled trial to prevent Escherichia coli diarrhoea in neonatal piglets.

Method: On a commercial pig farm 52 sows of different parities, in their last month of gestation, were treated twice a week with either the homeopathic agent Coli 30K or placebo. The 525 piglets born from these sows were scored for occurrence and duration of diarrhoea.

Results: Piglets of the homeopathic treated group had significantly less E. coli diarrhoea than piglets in the placebo group (P<.0001). Especially piglets from first parity sows gave a good response to treatment with Coli 30K. The diarrhoea seemed to be less severe in the homeopathically treated litters, there was less transmission and duration appeared shorter.

Keywords

Homeopathy - Piglets - Neonatal diarrhoea - Escherichia coli
 

  • References

  • 1 FIDIN (2008). Veterinary antibiotic usage in The Netherlands and Europe, symposium ‘What makes animals ill?’ (Dutch), September 23, 2008.
    PubMed
  • 2 Sarmah A.K., Meyer M.T., Boxall A.B.A. A global perspective on the use, sales, exposure pathways, occurrence, fate and effects of veterinary antibiotics (VAs) in the environment. Chemosphere 2006; 65 (05) 725-759.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Viksveen P. Antibiotics and the development of resistant microorganisms. Can homeopathy be an alternative?. Homeopathy 2003; 92 (02) 99-107.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 European Committee of Homeopathy, Spence D, Nicolai T, Van Wassenhoven M, Ives, G. A Strategy for research in homeopathy: assessing the value of homeopathy for health care in Europe, 3rd edn, 2005, pp. 1–27.
    PubMed
  • 5 Mathie R.T. Clinical outcomes research: contributions to the evidence base for homeopathy. Homeopathy 2003; 92: 56-57.
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Mathie R.T., Hansen L., Elliott M.F., Hoare J. Outcomes from homeopathic prescribing in veterinary practice: a prospective, research-targeted, pilot study. Homeopathy 2007; 96: 27-34.
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 The British Homeopathic Association and Faculty of Homeopathy. Research in homeopathy: veterinary homeopathy. http://www.trusthomeopathy.org/research/veterinary_research.html 2008 Last update October 7, 2008. Accessed January 18, 2009.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Henriksen B, Grøva L. Use of alternative medicine in Norwegian organic husbandry, From: Hovi M, Vaarst M. Positive Health: Preventive Measures and Alternative Strategies, Proceedings of the Fifth NAHWOA Workshop RØdding, Denmark, 2001, pp. 1–50.
    PubMed
  • 9 Moon H.W., Bunn T.O. Vaccines for preventing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infections in farm animals. Vaccine 1993; 11 (02) 213-220.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Velkers F.C., te Loo A.J.H., Madin F., van Eck J.H.H. Isopathic and pluralist homeopathic treatment of commercial broilers with experimentally induced colibacillosis. Res Vet Sci 2004; 78: 77-83.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 McCrory L., Barlow J. Evaluation of homeopathic nosodes for mastitis and calf scours: lessons from the Vermont nosode project. In: Morris T.F., Keilty M. Alternative Health Practices for Livestock. 2006. Blackwell Publishing; ISBN 9780813817644.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 12 Hektoen L. Review of the current involvement of homeopathy in veterinary practice and research. Vet Rec 2005; 157: 224-229.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Riising H.-J., Murmans M., Witvliet M. Protection against neonatal Escherichia coli diarrhoea in pigs by vaccination of sows with a new vaccine that contains purified enterotoxic E. coli virulence factors F4ac, F4ab, F5 and F6 fimbrial antigens and heat-labile E. coli enterotoxin (LT) toxoid. J Vet Med 2005; B 52.
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Madrewar B.P. Therapeutics of veterinary homoeopathy. B. Jain Publishers; 2004. ISBN 8170216486, 9788170216483.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 15 Macleod G. Pigs: the homeopathic approach to the treatment and prevention of diseases. The C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 1994. ISBN: 0852072783
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 16 Taylor D.J., Meredith M. Health pigs: diseases, prevention, tips & advices (Dutch), cd-rom Boerderij. Reeds Business Information Landbouw; 2002.
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 17 Khuda-Bukhsh A.R. Towards understanding molecular mechanisms of action of homeopathic drugs: an overview. Mol Cell Biochem 2003; 253: 339-345.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Johansen M., Alban L., Kjaersgård H., Baekbo P. Factors associated with suckling piglet average daily gain. Prev Vet Med 2004; 63: 91-102.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Rooke J.A., Bland I.M. The acquisition of passive immunity in the new-born piglet. Livest Prod Sci 2002; 78 (01) 13-23.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Klobasa F., Habe F., Werhahn E., Butler J.E. The influence of age and breed on the concentrations of serum IgG, IgA and IgM in sows throughout the reproductive cycle. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 1985; 10 (04) 355-366.
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar