Is Evidence Important To Consider For Your Animal's Healthcare?

Evidence based medicine is a term used throughout both human and veterinary healthcare. It's important to know that despite it being possible to go into a pharmacy or health food store, or animal feed shop, some of the products won't have gone through research trials.

Of course, what you buy should be safe! But the evidence behind some products definitely working will vary. But does that mean they don't work? Well no, not always!

As is with the case with any food or medicine, for us or our animals. What will work with one individual won't work with another. Does this mean the product isn't any good? No of course, each and every one of us - animals included, is unique. Our health is unique. So why should each and every food or medicine work?

But knowing if there is evidence to say something may work is important. Medicines and food not only cost money, but you want them to work and be beneficial.

3 Veterinary Research Studies That Looked at Herbal Health For Animals

1. Basil and Rosemary Herbs for Canine Diabetes Management

In 2020, Veterinary World Journal published research that looked at "Hypoglycemic efficacy of Rosmarinus officinalis and/or Ocimum basilicum leaves powder as a promising clinico-nutritional management tool for diabetes mellitus in Rottweiler dogs".

Did the research prove that these herbs could help? Yes! The findings concluded:

"…That dietary fortification of dog diet with rosemary and/or basil leaves powder at 0.05% separately or 0.025% in combination might be used as promising modulators of blood glucose levels as well as clinico-nutritional management tools for the prevention and control of diabetes mellitus in dogs."

Find this research online at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7020113/

2. Slippery Elm to Help Canine and Feline Digestion

In 2013, the Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine published research looking at the benefits of slippery elm to help with canine and feline digestive health. This research entailed a potency-enhanced polyanionic phyto-saccharide of elm mucilage (PEPPS) being prescribed by 197 small animal veterinarians in an open-labeled field trial.

This research did conclude that the use of PEPPS did make a clinical difference to the cats and dogs.

Find this research online at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269797429_Expedited_Management_of_Canine_and_Feline_Vomiting_and_Diarrhea_Observational_Study_in_3952_Dogs_and_2248_Cats_Using_Sucralfate-Like_Potency-Enhanced_Polyanionic_Phyto-Saccharide-Elm_Mucilage

3. How Devil's Claw Can Help Inflammatory Symptoms in Horses

In 2019, the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics published research to determine if there were any side effects and also benefits from using Devil's Claw. This is important about side effects, as sometimes long-term use of medicines can lead to other health issues, such as gastric ulcers.

This research concluded that: "Devil's claw is a safe drug and well-tolerated on oral administration route. Treatment of horses with Harpagophytum extract did not cause any clinically detectable side effects such as gastrointestinal irritation in our study."

Find this research online at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jvp.12716

Conclusion

It is possible to find that veterinary research has taken place to determine if herbs can help your animal's health. So is always worth considering the benefits of herbs.

Find more links to veterinary research online here


Please remember that if your horse, dog or other animal is unwell. Or on any kind of medication or other supplement. Then always speak to your Veterinary Surgeon first before using any supplement or therapy. Even natural ones. To avoid any possible issues.

And do you know someone who'd find this helpful? Please share, the more we can spread awareness of the benefits of natural therapies the better! :)

Find out more about other natural animal therapies here at Taranet. Or read other articles in this Natural Pet Health Blog. Take a look at the sitemap here to explore!

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About the Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.