Integrative VETERINARY CARE VOLUME 7 ISSUE 3
INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO DERMATOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN PETS SKIN DISORDERS CAN BE CHALLENGING TO TREAT BUT INTEGRATIVE OPTIONS, INCLUDING ACUPUNCTURE, HERBALS AND LASER, MAY OFFER EFFECTIVE, LONG-TERM RESULTS. — P. 56
MINDFULNESS IN VETERINARY MEDICINE Learn how a mindful attitude in the practice setting can decrease burnout and fatigue, and even improve patient outcomes. — P. 30
HERBS AND BOTANICALS FOR OTITIS MEDIA Unlike antibiotics, herbs and other botanicals
don’t cause drug resistance, and work well against the bacteria and fungi associated with ear inflammation. – P. 14
www.IVCJournal.com
SUMMER ISSUE 2017
NUTRITIONAL APPROACHES TO SKIN CONDITIONS Improving the overall health of your patients
DEALING WITH LAMINITIS
CHIROPRACTIC AND CATS– PROBLEMS AND TREATMENTS Chiropractic issues in cats are more common than you
WHAT’ S NEW
through nutrition reduces the risk of dermatological conditions and other illnesses. — P. 18
may realize – understanding the incidence of these problems means you can assist in more cases. — P. 26
How an integrative approach can be used to diagnose and successfully treat this common equine disease. — P. 46
• New non-invasive test may help diagnose feline asthma earlier • What you need to know about Powassan virus • Diagnostic services for shelter animals
contents FEATURES
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WESTERN BOTANICALS FOR OTITIS MEDIA IN ANIMALS by Greg Tilford
Herbs and other botanicals make resistance nearly impossible for even the nastiest pathogens, and are effective weapons against the bacteria and fungi associated with otitis media in animals.
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NUTRITION NOOK
NUTRITIONAL APPROACHES TO DERMATOLOGY CASES
by Martha C. Lindsay, MS, DVM, CVH, CNE Basic nutritional guidelines for improving the overall health of patients and lessening the chance of illness – including dermatological conditions.
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CHIROPRACTIC PROBLEMS AND TREATMENTS IN CATS
by Sue Thompson, DVM, IVCA certified, and John Z. Hossler, PhD Chiropractic problems are often the underlying reason cats are presented. If more veterinarians were trained to recognize this component of cat health, and to realize the wide variety of conditions chiropractic can help, we could assist in many cases.
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INTEGRATIVE PRACTICE
THE MINDFUL PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
by Michele Gaspar, DVM, DABVP (Feline Practice), MA, LPC
Mindfulness has been shown to not only decrease professional burnout and compassion fatigue, and raise distress tolerance, but it actually improves patient outcomes.
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TECH TALK
MAXIMIZING THE ROLE OF VETERINARY TECHNICIANS IN INTEGRATIVE PRACTICE
by Connie Glavan, LVT and Cindy Maro, DVM, CVA, CAC, VMRT Technicians are vital for creating more effective and efficient use of DVM time, and in reducing expenses by managing inventory, improving profits, and improving client communication.
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TAKING AN INTEGRATIVE PERSPECTIVE WITH LAMINITIS
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TREATMENT PROTOCOL FOR EQUINE PROTOZOAL MYELITIS (EPM)
by Megan McCorkel, DVM, cVMA
Understanding how an integrative approach can be used to diagnose and successfully treat laminitis.
by Lu Ann Groves, DVM Diagnosing EPM early, and then improving the immune system, is the best way to prevent serious symptoms of this disease.
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INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO DERMATOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN PETS
by Ronald B. Koh, DVM, MS, CVA, CVCH, CVFT, CCRP This article reviews common integrative modalities with a focus on Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine for treating inflammation and pruritus of the skin in pets.
INTEGRATING ESSENTIAL OILS FOR SKIN CARE by Jodie Gruenstern, DVM, CVA
The natural chemistry of these 12 essential oils makes them ideal for use in the management of healthy skin for our animal patients.
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advisory board
14 COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
5 Advisory board 8 Editorial
s new 11 What’
Dr. Richard Palmquist, DVM GDipVCHM(CIVT) CVCHM (IVAS), 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 codirector of the AHVM 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.
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.
23 From the AVH 33 From the WAEO 39 Industry innovations 54 From the AHVMA 55 From the VBMA 62 Veterinary resource guide 63 From the VMAA
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.
64 From the AAVA 65 Marketplace 66 Events
Dr. Barbara Fougere, DVM, CVAA graduated in 1986, and was named the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Educator for 2011. Dr. Fougere is the principal and one of the founders of the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies. She has continued studying over the last 26 years, and has three Bachelor degrees, two Masters degrees, three post Graduate Diplomas, several Certifications and numerous other courses under her belt.
Dr. Christina Chambreau, DVM, CVH, 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 the author of the Healthy Animal’s Journal and the co-author of the Homeopathic Repertory: A Tutorial.
IVC Summer 2017
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WESTERN BOTANICALS FOR TREATING
OTITIS MEDIA IN ANIMALS
By Greg Tilford
Unlike conventional drugs, herbs and other botanicals make resistance nearly impossible for even the nastiest pathogens, and are effective weapons against the bacteria and fungi associated with otitis media in dogs, cats and horses.
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IVC Summer 2017
Otitis refers to dermal or epidermal inflammation of the ear. Otitis externa or media are not diseases in themselves, but are symptoms of one or more preexisting conditions – and like dermatitis that occurs elsewhere on the body, the causes are rarely just skin deep. The primary difference between otitis and any other skin condition involves the unique environment in which inflammation and infection occur. The ear canal is like a fermentation vessel for pathogenic bacteria and fungi, especially if copious ear wax, dirt or other debris is present. This article looks at the herbs and other botanicals that can effectively treat otitis media in dogs, cats and horses.
TOPICAL INTERVENTIONS Begin by cleaning the ears with a rinse solution that serves a dual purpose of removing dirt while inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and fungi residing in the ear canal. I prefer a base of cider vinegar, aloe vera juice and distilled water, to which a variety of essentials oils and herb extracts can be added. The overall solution should be fairly dilute, especially in the case of essential oils, which can otherwise be irritating to the point of aggravating rather than relieving inflammation. To prevent this and to assure optimal effectiveness of the formula, I recommend limiting essential oil components of any formula to ≤3% of total volume of the formula. Most herb extracts (tinctures) can be used more liberally, depending of course on the choice of herbs. “Hot” herbs, such as garlic or peppermint, should not be used in concentrations exceeding 5%. Calendula on the other hand is quite forgiving, especially if used as a glycerite – my preferred form of any herb extract used in or on the ears. Glycerin lends its own healing benefits to a formula. Both antimicrobial and humectant, glycerin serves to absorb drainage and prevent pooling of exudate in dermal tissues.
BOTANICALS FOR AN EAR RINSE All of the botanicals presented in this article are best used as components of the aforementioned ear rinse, twice a day. Here are some of my favorites, and how they work.
q C IDER
VINEGAR – Well known for its yeast-fighting antifungal and antibacterial actions,1 it’s an excellent cleanser that cuts through ear wax while inhibiting yeast and bacterial reproduction. Vinegar containing 5% acetic acid, in a concentration of ≤20% of the total formula, can be safely used with minimal risk of increased irritation.
w C ALENDULA
EXTRACT (Calendula officinalis) – The activities of Calendula extract have been compared to those of Fluconazole, a drug commonly used to combat blastomycosis, histoplasmosis and various other fungal infections.2,3 It is also antibacterial and serves as an excellent vulnerary agent, bringing soothing relief and accelerating cell reproduction and granuloma at the site of open sores, insect bites and other minor injuries. TEA TREE OIL (Melaleuca alternafolia) – Tea tree oil is especially useful in the ears, and has strong activity against a broad variety of pathogenic fungi and bacteria.4,5 It can be safely used in concentrations of ≤3% on dogs, horses and most other animals; however, in my opinion, tea tree oil should not be applied consecutively for more than three days in cats, who tend to be hypersensitive to tea tree oil, especially when they lick it from their fur. Although I have yet to see any actual adverse events from the use of tea tree oil, a number of reports warn of acute hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity and nephritic events when the oil is ingested in higher concentrations over non-specific periods of time. More is not better, and caution always rules – use this one sparingly on felines, and try to avoid direct ingestion of whatever formulation you use.
e
r L AVENDER
OIL (Lavendula off.) – This oil has been shown to be effective against at least 120 strains of pathogenic bacteria,6 and is among the safest essential oils for use in animals. It is also a remarkable healing agent and “carrier” for other botanical medicines; it serves as a quick-acting vasodilator that quickly increases blood circulation into the dermis. Lavender oil also lends a much welcomed calming effect, often to both the patient and practitioner!
t THYME OIL (Thymus off.) – Thyme oil is stronger and more reliable than lavender as a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent6 in solutions below 0.5%. This is due to its high concentrations of highly active thymol and carvacrol. As an example of how “less is sometimes better”, pick up a bottle of Listerine mouthwash and read the label. Thymol is a primary IVC Summer 2017
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