Essential Oils in Livestock and Poultry Health: Alternatives to Antibiotics and Antiparasitics

Dear Colleagues,

The control of various pathogens in livestock and poultry has become increasingly challenging for several reasons. The inappropriate use of commercial antimicrobial and antiparasitic drugs has led to the development of resistance in pathogens, resulting in significant economic losses. Furthermore, residues from these drugs in animal products and the environment may pose risks to public health and the environment. Exclusive reliance on these drugs is, therefore, no longer a sustainable option, and there is an urgent need to seek and incorporate alternative strategies into veterinary practice in the form of integrated pathogen control.

Essential oils and phytotherapy offer several advantages over synthetic drugs, which can help reduce the use of these drugs. They possess a rich chemical composition, incorporating compounds of diverse chemical origins, which can result in strong effects against pathogens and lower susceptibility to resistance development. Moreover, their natural origin and biodegradable compounds are often associated with lower toxicity for animals and fewer residues. For these reasons, essential oils have potential applications in various veterinary fields, as demonstrated by the current literature. However, their full potential remains unexplored, and their possible application for various indications has been neglected.

The aim of this Special Issue is, on the one hand, to draw public attention to the problems associated with the exclusive use of commercial drugs and, on the other hand, to present the advantages and many possible indications for the use of essential oils in veterinary science.

Dr. Dragica Stojanovic
Dr. Filip Štrbac
Guest Editors

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