March:
Using natural products for animal treatment
Today there are a lot of over the counter herbal preparations
available, primarily for human use, but also for animal use. Natural
oils, essences, and other mixtures are often marketed as ‘safe’ and
claim to help with a whole array of problems, from nutritional
supplements, to immune system boosters, all the way through to urinary
support and natural oils to promote hair shine.
Medicine’s beginnings were in the use of herbs and chemicals from
natural resources. These treatments worked because natural remedies
can influence the way a body functions. Let me just say that again.
Natural remedies - herbs, oils and essences - work because they have
an effect on the body. They change the way the body works.
Nearly all medications - herbal ones included - work because they
contain a chemical that binds to a receptor on or in a cell and they
change the way that cell functions. This can have profound effects on
organs as well as the whole body. The first rule to pharmacology (the
study of medications) is that every medication can have more than one
action. That is, if the dose is appropriate, the medication can bind
to desired receptors as well as undesired ones - known as “side
effects“. For example, Ibuprfoen is a human medication (not for animals).
If you take one ibuprofen tablet, your
headaches ease (a desired effect). However, if you take enough
ibuprofen, you overdose and can give yourself tummy aches and vomiting
(an undesired effect). Similarly, if you don’t take enough ibuprofen,
nothing happens. Herbal medications are no different. They are not
necessarily safer than modern day medicine. And just the same as the
ibuprofen example, if you don’t give enough, then there will be no
effect.
Let’s consider the ibuprofen example again. We are told when we take
ibuprofen that it would be unwise to mix it with other
anti-inflammatory medications - such as aspirin. This is because the
two medications can interact and make side effects more likely.
Natural medications work the same ways as modern day medicine. They
bind to receptors to change the way cells work and have an overall
effect on the animal - hopefully to improve the way they feel.
Natural medications have a very real action, therefore they have a
very real possibility of reacting with other natural medications, as
well as any modern day medications that may be prescribed to your pet.
I know it is tempting to try the new herbal powders the breeder
recommends, or to test out the natural oils your friend uses on her
dogs, but these medications aren’t necessarily safe to give to every
dog. You also need to consider that as much as we love our dogs, they
aren’t little people and formulations appropriate for people are not
always appropriate for dogs (ibuprofen is a great example - never give
ibuprofen to your pet!). Similarly - cats aren’t little dogs and
medications (natural as well as modern day) that are safe in dogs can
be very harmful to cats.
Please be aware that many of our modern veterinary medicines can
‘double up’ or counter act some herbal preparations. So when your
take your pet into the vet, please be sure to check with your vet that
any medications they prescribe wont interact with any natural products
your pet may already be taking.
It is important that people are still given a choice between natural
products versus modern day medicines, but please if your animal is
sick, it is best to discuss the pros and cons of each convention with
your vet. We vets often aren’t well trained in all the specifics of
alternative therapies, however we do have an excellent understanding
of how medications need to work, how the body should work as well as
how things change with disease processes. Your vet is available to
talk with you about what medication options are available to your pet.
They can help answer questions you may have about natural or
alternative options and how they may affect your pet in the short and
long term.