Investigation: Using Bee Venom to Treat Avian Patients

Joerg Mayer, Dr med vet, MSc, DABVP (ECM), DECZM, DACZM, DACEPM

“The use of bee venom to treat a multitude of pathologies has been well described in human medicine. However, there is a significant lack of scientific data regarding the use of bee venom in the veterinary field. We often have avian patients presenting with conditions that could be treated by bee venom based on the data extrapolation from human medicine. Often these patients are not good candidates for western medicine options like chemotherapy or surgery. Apitherapy (bee byproducts) is often readily available and cheap for the practicing veterinarian, and it can be easily applied with minimal training. This study has the potential to offer a novel form of treatment for a variety of pathologies in avian patients in even the most remote areas. So far, the results are very promising, and the owners are very much on board with it, which is encouraging. My smallest cancer patient is a cockatiel that weighs 80 gms.”