Cowpathy (Panchgavya Therapy) is an Ancient Ayurvedic therapy. Panchgavya consists of five ingredients received from indigenous cows and used either as single or in combination for treatment of various human ailments. Recently the urine of indigenous cows has been granted US Patent for its bioenhancer, anti-tuberculous, anti-cancer and pest repellent effects. The distillate of cow urine has been found very effective in control of various infections and management of cancer in human being. Most of the trials for scientific validation of cow urine/cowpathy were conducted in mice, rats, rabbits and chicks. Now the question arises why therapy can't be used in Veterinary Science i.e. for treatment and/or control of animal infectious diseases? If we look for evidence in ancient literature like Ayurveda, there is no mention about it. However, recently some experimental studies showed very encouraging results not only in control of infection but also enhancing the immune status of animals. While receiving all these results certain ideas came to mind which require scientific validation alongwith field application in order to combat the animal diseases with very little expenditure; for example

1. It can be used as a general tonic or immunomodulator to enhance the paraspecific immunity of animals.

2. It can be given simultaneously at the time of vaccination to stimulate specific immunity for proper protection of animals against infections.

3. In case of tumors, it can be used after surgery or chemotherapy and may be found effective in dogs in controlling the tumor/spread.

4. During outbreak of diseases like FMD, HS, etc. it can be used in animals for effective positive results as it acts as bioenhancer and increases phagocytic activity of macrophages.

5. In poultry, it can be given alongwith water to have better protection against diseases and to increase both quality and quantity of eggs.

6. If there is pesticide, heavy metal or mycotoxin residues in the feed, cowpathy can be used to encounter deleterious effects of pollutants in food chain and maintaining good health of animals and birds.

These are some area in which cowpathy may be useful but proper care should be taken for dose, duration, and type of illness of animal. Since limited studies in this direction are available, Cowpathy can be used on a trial basis and if found suitable, it can be applied on large scale. But as a veterinarian or animal lover, one should encourage this therapy for use in veterinary science. Results obtained so far reveal that Panchgavya has no side effects in man then why it cannot be useful in animals? This subject relates to veterinary science but most of the research work was carried out either by technocrats or scientists of general field. Veterinarians should come out from their narrow thinking and try to apply this therapy in animals. It is a part of natural therapy with no use of synthetic chemicals and hence has no residues in animal products, the requirement of the day. There is a need of organic food all over world which is increasing at the rate of 10–15% every year. If cowpathy becomes successful in management of animal diseases, it will give a boost to animal husbandry industry by reducing input expenditure on maintenance of animals. It will also pave the way for “Golden revolution/Cowpathy revolution” in years to come.

Suggestions/comments for further improvements in the journal are invited.