ARTICLE 66 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2023 Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) may not be a common issue — but it is a deadly one. Dr. Jim Chapman, Ph.D., Senior Research Leader, Collaborative Research for Phibro Animal Health Corporation, answers common questions about HBS and shares tips to help producers safeguard their herds. HBS was first identified in the U.S. in the 1990s. What do you know now about HBS that wasn’t known back then? The initial thought was that HBS was caused by Clostridium perfringens type A and the toxins it produced, which caused irritation of the gastrointestinal lining and, in turn, caused bleeding. But since then, many scientists have concluded that the Clostridium component might be part of a secondary response to the bleeding, meaning that the hemorrhage is initiated by another agent. The theory now is that the primary agent may be an invasive pathogenic mold, Aspergillus fumigatus, which is known to become systemic and cause intestinal hemorrhages and respiratory issues in animals. What takeaways have dairy researchers gleaned from looking at how HBS affects humans? In healthy humans, the immune system is the primary way infectious agents are neutralized and removed from the body. This can become an issue for individuals undergoing immunosuppressive therapies, which allow the mold to become opportunistic and invade tissues. By maintaining a healthy and functional immune system, humans and animals are able to more effectively identify and clear the mold from the body. How might OmniGen® nutritional specialty product help producers to protect their dairy herds from HBS? OmniGen nutritional specialty product is an immunomodulatory feed additive designed to help maintain normal immune system function during periods of stress. Improved immune systems can more effectively respond to many types of invasive pathogens, including mold. HBS commonly affects cows in early lactation, so our general recommendation is to feed 2 ounces per day (56 g) of OmniGen beginning at dry-off and continuing through the first 60 to 90 days in milk. What management practices should producers consider to better protect their cows against HBS? Cow comfort is important. Since Aspergillus fumigatus is commonly found in the feeds cows consume, stressful events that can compromise immune function create opportunities for the mold to become invasive and infective. Therefore, it is important to minimize the effect of stressors on cows by improving cow comfort and management practices. In addition, paying close attention to silage and feed management will help reduce the risk of mold becoming a problem for their dairy cows. HELP SAFEGUARD DAIRY COWS FROM HEMORRHAGIC BOWEL SYNDROME James D. Chapman Ph.D., Senior Research Leader, Research and Development Phibro Animal Health
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