Integrative Peer Reviewed
veterinary care
world vets International
why Veterinarians volunteer to help animals in developing countries. Page 28
Environmental medicine Exposure to toxins, stress, and other influences plays a big role in many disease states.
www.IVCJournal.com
summer ISSUE 2012
PTSD in dogs Well-known in humans, it’s now affecting some dogs. Treatment can be challenging and depends on the needs of the individual patient.
Glandular therapy Given advances in oral tolerance and increasing autoimmune diseases, does GT deserve a place in veterinary medicine?
Food sensitivities
They can manifest in several ways but the solution is simple – and it may include alternative proteins.
Equine thermal imaging It’s gaining recognition thanks to improved cameras, standardization, and proper image interpretation.
What’ s new? • NASC awards gala • Learn about hospice • New cardiac health surveys
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contents FEATURES
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Glandular therapy
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Does it have a place in veterinary medicine? Given recent advances in oral tolerance, along with the increasing incidence of autoimmune diseases in dogs and cats, the answer is yes.
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The case for curcumin
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This natural substance found in turmeric provides antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties, and may have important veterinary applications for horses and other animals.
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PTSD in dogs
It’s a well known syndrome in people, but dogs can also develop it. Treatment can be challenging and depends on the needs of the individual patient.
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Environmental veterinary medicine
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Are you giving your patients too many vaccines? As more clients and veterinarians express concerns about the dangers of over-vaccination, it’s a good idea to review your own practice’s protocol.
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Facing the right way?
Saddle tree points – direction, angle and width – critically impact equine scapular health. Let’s look at the importance of direction.
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Much ado about mulch
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Veterinarians and other animal health professionals with World Vets donate their time and skills to help care for animals in developing countries.
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Rethinking equine vaccinations–part 1
Advise your clients not to use cocoa mulch – it can be toxic to dogs.
Nutrition nook Sensitive stomachs & skin
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It’s been utilized in the equine industry for over 40 years. But the technology only recently gained the recognition it deserves, as the cameras have improved, standardization is introduced, and veterinarians become familiar with proper image interpretation.
Exposure to toxins, stress, poor diet and other outside influences can play a major role in the development of many disease states.
For the love of it
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Equine thermal imaging
A food sensitivity can manifest in several ways but the solution is simple – a better quality diet.
Tech Talk Healing hues
An introduction to veterinary color therapy, and how you can use it with your patients and in the clinic setting.
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Integrative Practice Finding CAVM specialists
Want to augment your practice by working with practitioners in complementary and alternative medicine? We talk to three integrative veterinarians for their suggestions on how to find these specialists, and what to look for.
advisory board Columns & departments
5 Advisory board 6 What’ s new? 31 Spotlight 44 Veterinary resource guide 50 Industry Innovations
Dr. Richard Palmquist, DVM, graduated from Colorado State University in 1983. He is chief of integrative health services at Centinela Animal Hospital in Inglewood, California, president and research chair of the AHVMA, and an international speaker in integrative veterinary medicine. Dr. Palmquist is a consultant for the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) and co-director of the AHVMA Foundation. He has published two books, one for conventional veterinarians and a second for clients discussing how integrative thinking works.
Michelle J. Rivera, MT, VDT, is an instructor at the University of Wisconsin and The Healing Oasis Wellness Center, a post-graduate educational institution offering state-approved programs. She is co-owner of The Healing Oasis Veterinary Hospital, offering massage, rehabilitation, chiropractic and Chinese and Western Herbology. Michelle completed the Chinese Herbal Medicine program from the China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center, and is certified in Chinese Medicine by the Wisconsin Institute of Chinese Herbology.
61 Marketplace 62 Events
Dr. Joyce Harman, DVM, MRCVS, graduated in 1984 from Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic and has completed advanced training in homeopathy and herbal medicine. Her practice in Virginia uses holistic medicine to treat horses. Her publications include The Horse’s Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book – the most complete source of information about English saddles.
Dr. Steve Marsden, DVM, ND, lectures for the IVAS, the AHVMA and the AVMA, and is co-founder of the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies. He is a director of the National College of Natural Medicine, and authored the Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Marsden is extensively trained in alternative medicine, including Chinese herbology, acupuncture and naturopathic medicine. He has a veterinary and naturopathic practice in Edmonton, Alberta. In 2010, Dr. Marsden was named Teacher of the Year by the AHVMA.
Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM, received her veterinary degree in 1964 from the Ontario Veterinary College. In 1986, she moved to Southern California to establish Hemopet, the first non-profit national blood bank program for animals. Dr. Dodds has been a member of many national and international committees on hematology, animal models of human disease, veterinary medicine, and laboratory animal science. She received the Holistic Veterinarian of the Year Award from the AHVMA in 1994.
Dr. Christina Chambreau, DVM, graduated from the University of Georgia Veterinary College in 1980. She is a founder of the Academy Of Veterinary Homeopathy, was on the faculty of the National Center for Homeopathy Summer School and has been the holistic modality adjunct faculty liaison for the Maryland Veterinary Technician Program. Dr. Chambreau teaches classes in homeopathy for animals, and lectures on many topics. She is co-author of the Homeopathic Repertory: A Tutorial.
Bill Bookout is a founding member of the NASC, serving as president and chairman of the board since 2002. He is founder and president of Genesis Ltd., a company that provides feed and health products for animals. He spent 15 years in the human medical device, drug and animal health industries. Bill received his Bachelor’s degree in physical sciences from the University of Wyoming, and an MBA from Pepperdine University. He has been selected by Health Canada to serve on the Expert Advisory Committee for Veterinary Natural Health Products.
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The case for
This natural substance found in turmeric provides antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties, and may have important veterinary applications for horses and other animals. by Eleanor Kellon, VMD
I
nterest in naturally occurring substances for medical applications is growing rapidly. One of these substances is curcumin, a major active ingredient found naturally in turmeric. Turmeric is a bright yellow-orange spice prepared from the rhizomes (spreading roots) of the south Asian plant Curcuma longa. It is commonly used to make curries and color mustard. Curcumin’s use as a natural medicine began in Indian Ayurveda. The antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties of turmeric account for its use as one of the earliest food preservatives. Other traditional
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Ayurvedic uses included the treatment of conjunctivitis, acne, skin wounds, ringworm, eczema, hemorrhoids and other skin conditions. It was burned and inhaled to loosen mucus in the lung. Orally, turmeric was used to treat colds, arthritis, intestinal tract disorders, toothache, poor circulation and anemia, and as a reproductive tonic for both men and women. Turmeric has also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation is now well recognized to be a primary component of virtually all chronic degenerative diseases, such as arthritis and heart disease, and is an inherent part of the pathology in a host of others including cancer, allergies, insulin resistance/diabetes and even bone loss. Many contemporary studies have been done on curcumin and its health benefits. See the chart on page
18 for a list of its medicinal properties and the types of study used for each.
ground whole turmeric versus isolated curcumin.
Dosage issues
Curcumin and equine melanomas
There are problems with tapping into the potential benefits of the curcumin in turmeric because the parent herb has only about 5% maximum curcumin. Curcumin is also poorly soluble in water, which limits its absorption from the intestinal tract. However, work is actively ongoing to develop processing methods to produce curcumin of very small particle size, encapsulated in a water soluble carrier. Emulsification in fat also enhances absorption. However, these preparations are not commercially available.
Anecdotal reports from horse owners suggest turmeric may have beneficial effects on melanomas at dosages below what would be predicted by their curcumin content alone. Melanomas are a common tumor of predominantly older gray horses. The predisposition is genetic, but growth may be triggered by hormonal changes as horses age.
‌work is actively ongoing to develop processing methods to produce curcumin of very small particle size, encapsulated in a water soluble carrier. Extrapolating from experimental data on curcumin, it could take as much as 8 to 16 ounces of turmeric to deliver an effective dose to a horse. However, while curcumin is well studied and has proven properties, it is not the only biologically active compound in turmeric. Beyond historical use information, we have no data comparing effects of feeding
Equine melanomas are not malignant like the human variety, and are classified according to their microscopic appearance. Some bear a close resemblance to a type of human mole under the microscope while others appear more aggressive. It has been found that inflammation and reactive oxygen species/ free radicals play a pivotal role in the spread of these tumors. Three horses with prominent and/or growing and spreading melanomas were given 1 to 3 ounces/day of ground turmeric. In all cases, the growths shrank and the spread was stopped. Since the behavior of melanomas is unpredictable, this small number of reports cannot rule out the possibility that the growths would have quieted down or shrunk on their own. However, it’s an intriguing starting point and hopefully future
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