ANIMAL HEALTH CARE
August 17, 2025 | 5 mins read
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WOUNDS
Accelerating the Art of Wound Healing in Livestock
Wounds of varied aetiologies are common in livestocks, particularly among ruminants. These injuries not only cause significant stress to the animals but also negatively impact productivity parameters such as milk production, feed intake and weight gain. Effective wound management is critical to restore animal health and maximizing performance.
Wounds in Livestock
Wounds, regardless of their origin, often present with complications such as:
- Secondary microbial infections
- maggot infestation & fly nuisance
- Exudation
- Inflammation and necrosis
- Irritation to the animals
- Impact on productivity
These secondary issues complicate treatment and often require a multimodal therapeutic approach. Traditional wound care practices involving chemical agents or antibiotics can offer partial relief but frequently fall short in resolving a broader spectrum of issues.
For instance, in treating myiasis, petroleum-based substances or avermectin-class anti-parasitics (e.g., ivermectin) are commonly used. While these agents effectively kill maggots, they often leave behind necrotic debris (dead maggots) in the wound, potentially exacerbating tissue decay and delaying healing. Moreover, avermectins may induce resistance over time [1].
Complications Arising from Maggot Infestation
- Damage of healthy tissue
- Severe irritation and discomfort
- Degradation of skin/hide quality thereby impacting the leather quality
- Delayed wound healing
- Increased risk of secondary infections
- Severe production loss
Conventional treatments are often limited in scope. While antibiotic sprays address bacterial infections, maggoticidal agents are under increasing regulatory scrutiny due to concerns over misuse and residues in animal products. This highlights the need for a comprehensive, safe, and natural solution.
Scientific Rationale for Natural Phytocompounds in Wound Management
Recent advances in veterinary phytogenics have brought scientific validation to the traditional use of herbs for wound healing also. A holistic, synergistic combination of plant-derived compounds addresses multiple aspects of the healing cascade: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, fly-repellent, and maggot-expelling effects.
Key phytochemicals that demonstrate these activities include:
- 1,8-Cineole: Known to possess insect-repellent properties. It acts by shrinking larval tissues and irritating maggots, causing them to migrate out of the wound site, thereby enabling manual or spontaneous removal [2]. It also exhibits strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties [3].
- δ-Carene and α-Pinene: These terpenes are known acetylcholinesterase (Ach) inhibitors, disrupting neuromuscular function in flies and other insects, thereby reducing fly landing and oviposition on wounds [4].
- Curcumin: A potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, curcumin accelerates wound contraction, collagen deposition, and epithelial regeneration [5].
A Polyherbal Solution – Topicure
Topicure, a scientifically formulated polyherbal product from Natural Remedies, incorporates standardized levels of:
- Curcumin
- 1,8-Cineole
- δ-Carene
- α-Pinene
This blend provides a comprehensive wound care solution, offering:
- Maggot expulsion without necrotic side effects
- Reduction in bacterial load
- Suppression of local inflammation
- Acceleration of tissue repair and wound closure
- Deterrence of flies and reinfestation
Field-level use of such holistic formulations has shown promising results in managing complicated wound scenarios in ruminants, resulting in quicker recovery, reduced animal stress, and improved productivity.
Conclusion
A shift from isolated chemical treatments to holistic phytogenic solutions represents a progressive step in animal wound management. Integrating scientifically validated herbal compounds offers safer, effective, and environmentally sustainable wound healing options for livestock.
References
- Campbell, W. C. (2012). History of avermectin and ivermectin, with notes on the history of other macrocyclic lactone antiparasitic agents. Veterinary Parasitology, 187(1–2), 29–34.
- Pavela, R. (2015). Essential oils for the development of eco-friendly mosquito larvicides: a review. Industrial Crops and Products, 76, 174–187.
- Santos, F. A., & Rao, V. S. (2000). Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of 1,8-cineole, a terpenoid oxide present in many plants essential oils. Phytotherapy Research, 14(4), 240–244.
- Ryan, M. F., & Byrne, O. (1988). Plant-insect coevolution and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 14(10), 1965–1975.
- Sidhu, G. S., et al. (1998). Curcumin enhances wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and genetically diabetic mice. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 6(2), 92–99.
Dr Anandha Narayanan B.V.Sc & A.H,
Asst. General Manager – International Business
Natural Remedies Private Limited, India
