ANIMAL DOCTOR
Tuesday, June 15, 2004; Page C10
Dear Dr. Fox:
I've taken various herbal medicines over the years and found them very effective and inexpensive.
Do veterinarians prescribe herbs for animals? What are some of the good ones for dogs and cats?
R.E., Poolesville
The good news for animals (but not for the pharmaceutical industry) is that many veterinarians are using various herbal preparations as alternative, supportive and complementary treatments for a number of ailments. Much of the rationale is that these treatments are generally less costly, no less effective (and often more effective), and have fewer harmful side effects than conventional synthetic drugs.
The same holds true for nutraceuticals, or nutrient supplements like carnitine, glucosamine, flaxseed oil and brewer's yeast. For more information on such supplements, see Dr. Susan G. Wynn's book "Emerging Therapies: Using Herbs and Nutraceutical Supplements for Small Animals" (American Animal Hospital Association Press, 1999). You can also learn more from the Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association Web site at www.vbma.org.
Herbal and homeopathic medicines and nutraceuticals break down in the body and cause no documented harm to the environment when excreted, unlike many synthetic pharmaceutical products. Thousands of tons of the synthetic products are prescribed annually and fed to and injected into farm animals, creating a significant global public health and wildlife health issue.
Dear Dr. Fox:
Please let me know if it's right, as I have been told, just to feed my cat one type of food because it could upset her system if I switch brands or formulas. Don't animals like variety instead of the same old food every day?
J.G.McP., Fort Worth
Introducing any new diet, brand or formula should be done gradually over 7 to 10 days in order to avoid possible digestive upset.
Animals need to be fed at regular times, but they enjoy variety. Start cats out at an early age on several different formulas of home-prepared or commercial brand foods. This will reduce the chances of possible nutritional deficiency and help keep the cat from becoming a finicky eater addicted to or fixated on one particular formula.
Never feed a cat dry food only, as this may result in diabetes, cystitis and other health problems.
Dear Dr. Fox:
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