Therapeutic support can involve more than just intervention with antibiotics. Additionally, anti-inflammatory therapy can be chosen, where the use of NSAIDs such as sodium salicylate offers significant benefits.
Seasonal influences and respiratory diseases
The arrival of autumn and winter introduces colder days and nights as well. Changing weather conditions can affect the climate in the barn, contributing to an ideal environment for infectious agents. This increases the risk of respiratory diseases, among others.
Respiratory diseases pose not only a challenge to animal health and welfare, but also an economic challenge. Clinical symptoms often appear as lethargy, fever, shortness of breath, reduced appetite, and sometimes coughing. Reduced production, growth, or meat quality is often much less visible. Respiratory diseases can therefore lead to significant losses per animal.
More than just antibiotics
Prevention is better than cure. Should therapeutic support nevertheless prove necessary, it is possible to intervene with more than just antibiotics. For example, an additional option may be anti-inflammatory therapy, for which veterinarians have access to NSAIDs and corticosteroids, among others. One of the major advantages of NSAIDs compared to corticosteroids is that NSAIDs relieve pain and inflammation without the immunosuppressive and metabolic side effects associated with corticosteroids.
The power of sodium salicylate
In the Netherlands, Dopharma has many years of experience with the NSAID sodium salicylate. Sodium salicylate has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. It also reduces local symptoms such as redness and swelling and inhibits blood clotting and formation of oedema. Its action is based on (non-specific) inhibition of the cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzyme, reducing the production of prostaglandins (inflammatory mediators).
Rapid absorption and prolonged efficacy
Oral administration ensures rapid absorption through passive diffusion, partly from the stomach but primarily from the upper section of the small intestine. After absorption, salicylates bind strongly to plasma proteins and, together with other proteins, leak from the blood vessels into inflamed tissues. This local accumulation contributes to extended clinical efficacy. Following hepatic metabolism, excretion occurs via milk and urine.
Applications in practice
Thanks to the (previously mentioned) properties of sodium salicylate, animal welfare can certainly be improved. A well-known example of its practical use is administration via drinking water during inflammation caused by viral diseases such as PRRS or influenza. Sodium salicylate can also provide supportive care in cases of inflammation resulting from lameness, during vaccination, or during stressful periods such as weaning or prolonged transport.
Broad applicability within the Dopharma range
Dopharma’s product range includes a variety of formulations containing sodium salicylate. This makes it possible to provide relief to (almost) all categories of farm animals, whether used alone or in combination with targeted (anti-infective) therapy.
In addition to Sodium Salicyl 80% WSP, the Dophacyl range is also available:
- Dophacyl SB 1000 mg/g: authorized for supportive treatment of fever in acute respiratory disorders, in combination with appropriate (for example, anti-infective) therapy, if necessary, in cattle and for treatment of inflammations, in combination with appropriate (for example, anti-infective) therapy, if necessary, and to support recovery of breathing and reduce coughing in cases of respiratory infections in combination with concurrent antibiotic therapy in swine.
- Dophacyl T 1000 mg/g: suitable for turkeys, for the symptomatic treatment of inflammatory respiratory conditions.
- Dophacyl Avi 1000 mg/g: specifically authorised for chickens, for the symptomatic treatment of febrile conditions and mild to moderate pain. It is important to note that Dophacyl Avi 1000 mg/g may also be used in rearing laying hens up to two weeks before the start of production. Within two weeks prior to production and during the production of eggs for human consumption, sodium salicylate must not be used in birds.
Tailored advice
If you have questions about the use of sodium salicylate and/or our products, we are happy to provide you with custom advice! Please contact your account manager or the Technical Support team.
