phytotherapy in veterinary medicine: perspectives for the treatment of infectious diseases

Infectious diseases of farm animals remain one of the most pressing problems of modern veterinary medicine, causing significant economic damage to animal husbandry and posing a potential risk to public health. the widespread use of antibiotics has contributed to the development of resistant strains of microorganisms, which has become a global challenge. in this context, phytotherapy is being actively studied as an alternative and complementary approach in veterinary practice. the present review summarizes international and national research on the use of medicinal plants in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in animals. particular attention is paid to the pharmacological effects of herbal preparations, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative properties. a comparative analysis of phytotherapy and antibiotic therapy demonstrates the strengths and limitations of both approaches and substantiates the prospects of their combined use to enhance treatment efficiency and reduce the risks associated with antibiotic resistance. for kazakhstan, phytotherapy represents a promising direction, given the country’s rich plant resources and the growing need for ecologically safe livestock technologies. the article emphasizes the necessity of clinical trials, standardization of phytopreparations, and their integration into national veterinary protocols.