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Using Natural Supplements Safely to Help Your Pet
Using Natural Supplements Safely to Help Your Pet
Natural supplements can provide great benefits to your
pet's health, but just because they are natural does not
mean they are safe.
by Shawn Messonnier, DVM
December 8, 2004
Approximately seven years ago I started using natural therapies
in my practice as I became a more integrated doctor. Practicing
in Texas, I was seeing many allergic pets who really didn't
get better using conventional drug therapy. By incorporating
natural therapies into my treatment regimen I immediately
started seeing unbelievable results!
One of the nice things that attracted me to this type of
pet care, in addition to the great results I was seeing, is
the relative lack of side effects. It’s rare to see any side
effects using supplements in the care of my patients. Yet
it’s been reported in human medicine that side effects of
drugs is one of the leading causes of illness and death in
people (I'm sure the unreported statistics are similar in
veterinary medicine!)
| "Natural" does
not always mean "safe" |
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Most supplements are safer than prescription
drugs for long term control of medical problems.
Examples: NSAIDS vs. joint
supplements, choline vs. Anipryl or anticonvulsants,
Fatty acids and antioxidants vs. corticosteroids, olive
leaf extract vs. antibiotics.
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Sometimes conventional medications are
safer than supplements
Example: coventional deworming
medicines vs. wormwood/ black walnut/ pennyroyal oil,
decongestants/bronchodilators vs. ephedra.
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Sometimes species differences make natural
therapies potentially toxic
Example: tea tree oil/volatile
oils/white willow bark with cats and small dogs.
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Natural therapies may show interactions
with conventional medications that could be toxic.
Examples:
White willow bark with NSAIDS, ephedra with cardiac
drugs, decongestants, and asthma medications drugs,
ginkgo biloba with high dose fish oil.
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While many pet owners think "natural" equals "safe,"
this is not always true. There are some supplements (such
as ephedra) that can be extremely toxic and even fatal if
not used properly. This article will explore some of the more
commonly used supplements, as well as any side effects that
may occur. As always, the best way to incorporate natural
therapies into your pet's treatment regimen is to do so under
proper veterinary supervision, as this will also decrease
the chance of any side effects.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fatty acids, especially oils from coldwater fish, have been
recommended in people for lowering triglycerides, reducing
secondary cardiovascular disease (and probably primary disease,)
decreasing heart arrhythmias, decreasing blood pressure, and
improving rheumatoid arthritis. They are also possibly helpful
in preventing stroke and treating cancer, allergies, and mild
depression. Since fish oil taken for many months can lower
vitamin E, most products contain added vitamin E.
In pets, fish oil may be beneficial for heart disease, cancer,
allergies, arthritis, kidney disease, and autoimmune diseases.
I use high doses (2-4 times the label dose) in my patients
and most can have their conventional medications lowered.
Side effects of fatty acid supplementation are rare. Fish
oil may decrease platelet aggregation and prolong bleeding
time. Contamination of fish meat (not oil) with methylmercury
can occur. The human literature reports that fish oil may
slightly increase LDL (bad) cholesterol although this does
not seem to be common or of any significance in most cases.
The human literature also reports multiple cases of bleeding
(in the brain) when high dose doses is combined with ginkgo.
I have not seen any side effects in my patients except the
very rare case in a few dogs that smelled fishy.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a well-known liver tonic. Milk thistle extract
provides liver protection by stabilizing the cell membranes
of the liver cells, aids in detoxification of toxins (especially
those absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract,) stimulates
protein synthesis and regeneration of damaged liver cells
(actually helping the diseased cells to heal,) and also acts
as an antioxidant.
Milk thistle is one of my favorite supplements for just about
any disease, because the liver is involved in all disease
processes. Many of my holistic clients like extra liver support
during treatment with any conventional medications, including
when they administer monthly heartworm and flea medications.
Milk thistle is very safe to use and I've never seen any side
effects from its use. Based upon general safety guidelines
in people, it's probably best not to use it in pregnant animals
without veterinary supervision. According to some herbalists,
long term use can result in depressed liver function unless
chronic liver disease is present. Milk thistle is not recommended
for use in normal pets but rather those that have diseases
of the liver or affecting the liver.
Echinacea
Echinacea is among the best known supplements and has been
touted in people for helping in the recovery from a variety
of illnesses, especially the cold and the flu. Echinacea is
usually prescribed as an immune-boosting supplement for pets.
I use it for a number of disorders, especially bacterial,
fungal, and viral infections, and chronic diseases of any
organ. It’s also one of my favorite supplements for pets with
demodectic mange.
Echinacea is generally considered safe when used under supervision.
In the older literature, there is a warning not to use this
herb for certain immune disorders (autoimmune diseases, diabetes)
and disorders with diminished immune systems with low white
blood cell counts (feline leukemia and immunodeficiency diseases.)
However, echinacea has been used in these instances without
obvious harm. Generally, echinacea is not meant for long term
use and most doctors limit its use to a few months at a time.
Garlic
Garlic is a favorite herb used by many pet owners to control
fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects. While many of
my clients swear by the ability of garlic to control fleas,
and while I have no problem recommending its use, controlled
studies have shown garlic to be ineffective as an insecticide.
Garlic also has show antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties.
Garlic can cause anemia in dogs and cats due to the presence
of S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide and N-propyldisulfhide. Therefore,
it should not be used in pets with anemia. As a general guideline,
1 clove of garlic per 10 pounds of body weight for dogs (and
1/2 clove per cat) can usually be fed safely each day. If
you use garlic regularly (as a general food supplement,) it
would be wise to have your pet's blood checked every few month!
s to make sure anemia is not occurring.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo is a well-known and popular herb that has a number
of uses. It is best known as a supplement that may improve
cognitive disorder in aging people and pets, particularly
in those with mild dementia (Alzheimer's in particular.) While
its ability to prevent blood clots can be beneficial in certain
cases, a well-known side effect of ginkgo is increased and
potentially serious bleeding problems. In people, bleeding
(including fatal brain hemorrhages) have been reported when
ginkgo was combined with high doses of fish oil or other anticoagulants.
Joint Supplements
Nutritional supplements to help aging, arthritic joints are
probably the most commonly used forms of natural therapies
by people as well as pets. Each manufacturer selects from
a variety of ingredients to include in a proprietary formula.
In general, most of the various ingredients designed to heal
damaged cartilage and reduce pain and inflammation are pretty
similar (although the quality of nutritional supplements varies,
which is why I encourage pet owners to seek veterinary advice
when deciding what supplement might be best for their pets.)
In general, the most commonly prescribed joint supplements
contain glucosamine, chondroitin, and/or hyaluronic acid.
These ingredients are very safe. There has been one report
of a dog developing signs of diabetes when given the incorrect
dose of a glucosamine supplement; the signs resolved when
the correct dose was given. Testing on diabetic dogs with
glucosamine did not reveal any h! arm or increase in blood
sugar. In general, owners should not notice side effects in
pets when using supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin,
and/or hyaluronic acid according to label instructions.
Miscellaneous Supplements
The following supplements are often used in pets and are
generally considered very safe.
Choline - This nutrient is very helpful in pets with
cognitive disorder and seizures. It is very safe for use in
pets; very rarely it has caused hyperactivity/hyperexcitability
that goes away after the supplement is discontinued or the
dosage reduced.
Glutamine - An amino acid that is helpful for pets
with any gastrointestinal disorder. It is very safe for use
in pets, although there is a theoretical concern in seizing
patients due to increased glutamate levels (I've never seen
this in practice.)
Probiotics - These healthy GI bacteria and yeasts
are useful in any sick pet and any pet taking medications,
including nonsteroidals, antibiotics, and corticosteroids.
Probiotics are very safe for use in pets and no side effects
have been reported.
Summary
After using integrative therapies in my practice for the
last 7 years, I am convinced that in most cases nutritional
supplements are less expensive, less toxic, and more effective
than conventional medications. However, natural does not always
mean safe, and you should never start your pet on supplements
without the knowledge of how the supplements work and if they
interact with conventional medications. Using supplements
under veterinary supervision is the best approach to properly
treating any disease in your dog or cat. Each doctor has his
own favorite brands that have worked well in clinical cases.
If you’d like my list of favorite supplements, please email
me at shawnvet@sbcglobal.net
and I’ll send it to you.
- Shawn Messonnier DVM
Shawn is a holistic veterinarian and nationally recognized
expert on integrative medicine for animals, and is the author
of several books including 8
Weeks to a Healthy Dog and the award-winning Natural
Health Bible for Dogs & Cats
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