If anyone has tips on how to make the live of owners or the dogs better please send them and we will post them

Keep in mind that we are not Vets but are simply sharing what has been a benefit to others, so please talk to your Vet about any changes in your protocol

Milk thistle, (also known as Silymarin), is commonly used to protect the liver from damage, as well as help the liver regenerate after damage has occurred. Milk thistle can be useful for those who use phenobarbitol, which can be toxic to the liver.

Hundreds of studies have been done on milk thistle. Medline, for example, shows over 300 studies on milk thistle. By entering "silymarin & liver" at the search prompt for Medline, ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Entrez/medline.html ), you can access these studies.

Many of these studies have been done on rats, but their livers function basically the same as the dog's liver. There are also large scale, double-blind studies that show that milk thistle is safe and effective for humans and animals. Animal studies find no short-term or long-term toxicity, even at very high doses. In Germany, where the herb is government-endorsed, the herb is considered so safe that there are no warnings against using it, even during pregnancy and lactation.

The results of numerous studies suggest that silymarin not only protects liver cells by preventing the actions of toxic substances but that it also stimulates protein synthesis to accelerate the regeneration and production of liver cells. Silymarin also has antioxident properties that prevent free radical damage and the formation of damaging leukotrienes.

No toxic effects from milk thistle have been reported, but it can produce a looser stool as a result of increased bile flow and secretion. Milk thistle can also have an effect on the absorption of some medications, because the liver is processing the substances more efficiently.

One well known controlled study involved the use of the Amanita phalloides mushroom, which contains two of the most toxic liver poisons, (phalloidin and amanitin). Ingestion of this mushroom leads to death in up to 40% of cases and severe liver damage in the balance. Silymarin given before ingestion of this mushroom is effective in 100% of cases in preventing death and liver damage. As an antidote given within 24 to 36 hours silymarin has been found to reduce liver damage and prevent death.

Clinical studies involving humans have shown that this herb is effective in the treatment of liver diseases including fatty liver, chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver.

Milk thistle is widely available, at health food stores, and even some drug stores and grocery stores. The standardized extract that has been widely tested and has also been approved in Germany for liver disease and functional liver impairment contains 70 to 80 percent silymarin. Dosage recommendations are usually on each bottle, and should be discussed with an individuals medical practioner, but a general guide offered by some for an adult humans use is 420 mg. of silymarin taken in 3 divided doses daily. If there is no liver damage, and you simply want to protect your liver from damage, it is often recommended that an adult human use around 280 mg. of silymarin daily.

Jeri is a long time member of Epil-K9 and is deeply interested in Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture/Acupressure and Chinese herbs as well as Gold bead Implants.

Milk Thistle (Silymarin)
by R.M. Clemmons, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery

There is no evidence that Milk Thistle has any adverse effects. It increases bile flow and bile content of cholesterol, but does not appear to decrease bile formation from the studies I have read. Most of this work has been done in rats, but their livers function basically the same as the dog. There is probably no reason for a normal dog to take milk thistle, unless there is exposure to potential hepatotoxins. Phenobarbital is a hepatotoxin, therefore, epileptics probably need it.

Aromatherapy & Herbal Therapy for Pets

Rescue Remedy is a human homeopathic remedy made by Bach Flower Essences, and can be obtained at any health food store. Many of the list dogs respond very well to 4 drops being placed in the mouth either before , during or after a seizure. Postictal (the aftermath of a seizure) in some cases, can be cut to only a few minutes. As with all medications and methods not all dogs respond, however enough do to make this a very useful tool. There have been no scientific studies as to the efficacy of this product.









Many sources say that the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine can be traced back to approximately three thousand years ago. "Veterinary Acupuncture: Ancient Art to Modern Medicine" states: "Legend has it that veterinary acupuncture was discovered when lame horses used in battle were found to become sound after being hit by arrows at distinct points."

The first veterinary acupuncture report in Europe was published in 1828, but many US citizens were not aware of Chinese Medicine until the Nixon era. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) was founded in 1974 by a group of veterinarians, and has steadily grown since. In 1988, the American Veterinary Medical Association acknowledged that veterinary acupuncture and acutherapy are valid modalities.

As you will see, Chinese Medicine is quite unlike Western Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, acupressure, food therapies, medication and exercises. It is a very different, yet logical, way of thinking and dealing with problems to assit your four-legged friend. The goal of acupuncture and Chinese herbs is to rebalance the body by treating the meridians, which are located beneath the skin's surface. Here is how that works:

Qi is energy circulating in the body. Qi, (also spelled Chi, and pronounced, ÄúChee,Äù), is the life force energy. There are 12 major meridians and 8 extra meridians through which the Qi circulates. Meridians are like rivers which distribute Qi throughout the body. If any of these meridians have a blockage that causes the energy to not flow properly, problems develop, such as illness, swelling, and pain.There are several factors that can affect the flow of Qi through the meridians. For example, weather, your mood, foods eaten, and much more affect the flow of Qi. Acupuncture is used to stimulate the flow of Qi through some meridians, and to inhibit the flow of Qi in other channels (meridians) to restore balance. When the Qi is balanced, you're healthy. Too much Qi in one area, and not enough in others creates an imbalance which causes health problems.

The meridians follow aspects of the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, and nervous systems. Qi flows through the meridians directing the blood and other body fluids that keep us alive. This quote might help explain: "The meridians are like major power lines running through the body, and the acupuncture points are the relay switches to access the energy." The acupuncture needles and herbs are being used to access the energy on the acupuncture points. Chinese herbs work in the same sort of way as acupuncture. Herbs also have the function of balancing the body by treating energy blockages, by treating conditions like heat, excess, cold, deficiency, and other imbalances.

There are 37 actions or functions for herbs, (such as warming, clearing, reducing*, and tonifying**). *Reducing means that it will help get rid of an excess of energy for a specific meridian. **Tonifying means that it will strengthen the meridian it works on.

Traditionally, in Chinese medicine, a variety of techniques are used to diagnosis the imbalances for an individual. The diagnostic process uses symptoms, and appearance, (including dry skin, weight, and odors). Also used are tongue diagnosis, (the tongue is looked at), and pulse diagnosis, which differs quite a bit from Western pulse taking. When checking the tongue, practioners look at color, shape, tongue coating, and cracks in the tongue. There are certain spots on the tongue that relate to the organs, (such as the liver and spleen), and they'll note how those certain areas look also.

When doing pulse diagnosis, the pulse is felt in 3 positions and 2 layers, each corresponding to an organ and meridian. There are 6 pulses on the right front paw: Large Intestine, Lungs, Stomach, Spleen/Pancreas, Kidney Yang, Pericardium. There are 6 pulses on the left front paw: Small Intestine, Heart, Gall bladder, Liver, Urinary Bladder, and Kidney Yin.

(NOTE: description of Kidney Yang and Kidney Yin follows)

Using all this information will help practioners determine where the energy blockages are, and how they should be treated. Some practioners have developed their own ways of reading the energy, and might have something that they do instead of, or in addition to, the traditional diagnostic techniques.

The basic principle of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is to restore balance.

If a disease is due to an excess, that excess must be drained.
If it is due to a deficiency, that deficiency should be tonified.
If the problem is due to heat, that heat should be cooled.
If the problem is due to cold, that cold should be warmed.
If it is due to dryness, that dryness should be moistened.
And, if it is due to dampness, that dampness should be dried.


The root cause for the occurrence and development of disease in Chinese medicine is imbalance between Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are opposite forces, that when balanced, work together. Examples of Yin are water, passive, slow, night, and moon. Examples of Yang are fire, active, fast, day, and sun.
Chinese Medicine acknowledges several causes for disease.
External causes include wind, cold, damp, dryness, and heat. Wind includes things such as air conditioning, and some say it also includes microwaves, and radiation. The source of the external cause does not have to be a natural source. Internal causes are known as the, ÄúSeven Emotions,Äù. The emotions are anger, joy, grief, fear, worry, and anxiety. There is disagreement in various translations on what the exact "Seven Emotions" are, but these six are pretty constant. Other causes of disease include constitution, diet, exercise, rest, and trauma. In TCM seizures are often caused by heat generated by the liver, which generates wind, which causes the seizure. (The image of someone caught up in a wind storm might help explain that terminology.) Seizures can also commonly be caused by imbalances in the heart meridian. Deficient Kidney Yin can also play a role. If Kidney Yin is low, Yang is dominant, and heat is Yang. It is important to treat the Liver Heat, (or Heart, depending on the diagnosis), but also to work to bring the Kidney Yin back up, and in balance with Kidney Yang. The Kidneys, in TCM, are Water. Water helps Wood, (Liver), and hinders Fire (Heart), so if the Kidneys are out of balance, that could be a factor in the Liver or Heart imbalances that trigger seizures. By using the various methods of diagnosing imbalances, a practioner will be able to detemine the imbalances that need to be treated in any individual, and the best method for treating those imbalances.

For further reading on TCM, I highly recommend the following books:

Four Paws Five Directions (by: Cheryl Schwartz, DVM)
The Well Connected Dog: A Guide to Canine Acupressure (by: Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis)
Canine Acupressure: A treatment workbook (by: Nancy Zidonis and Marie Soderberg)
Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: Principles and Practice (edited by Allen M Schoen DVM and Susan G. Wynn DVM)
Veterinary Acupuncture: Ancient Art to Modern Medicine (edited by Allen Schoen)
Veterinary Acupuncture: (by: Klide and Kung)


Some sites on the Internet you might like to peruse that deal mainly with veterinary acupuncture:

http://users.med.auth.gr/~karanik/english/veter.htm
http://www.altvetmed.com/acupunct.html
http://www.msnbc.com/news/185564.asp
http://users.med.auth.gr/~karanik/english/webjour.htm

Human Acupuncture
http://www.acupuncture.com/

Homeopathy

Other Topics of Interest:

Homeopathy is based on the principle that "like cures like." Homeopathy demonstrates that a substance that produces a certain set of symptoms in a healthy person can cure a sick person having those same symptoms. Since this sounds confusing, I will give an example: Onions make your eyes water when you cut them. If you have a cold and your symptoms include a runny nose, the likely remedy would be Allium Cepa, which is made from onions.

A homeopathic medicine is diluted immensely, often in parts per million. Homeopathic medicine stimulates the defense systems, allowing the body to heal itself. The amazing thing about homeopathy is that the more dilute the medicine becomes, the stronger the potency. Just like most holistic treatments, the effects are usually gradual.

A history of the specific health problem is very important in homeopathy. This is because prescribing medicine is based on the law of similars, just explained. Symptoms considered important to a homeopathic veterinarian are far more in number than those considered important to an allopathic vet. Homeopathic vets. want to know about changes in your dog's behavior, habits, and attitudes.

Homeopathic medications are very sensitive and when making the choice on the use of a certain remedy, a careful selection process has to be undertaken. Although this is true, some homeopathic remedies are safe to be given by owners in low potencies.

When giving homeopathic medications, do not give them at the same time as food. The dog's body has to recognize it, and not think that it is part of the food.

Homeopathic remedies can be easily contaminated. It is important that you do not touch them. Also, when putting drops in your dog's mouth, do not let the dropper touch her.

Most homeopathics can be bought in a liquid form. Drop a dropperful on your dog's tongue. If using pills, put 3 or 4 in your dog's mouth. Let the medicine dissolve. Do not encourage them to swallow.

Homeopathics are sensitive to light and heat. Keep them in a cool, dry place. When using the medicine, make sure that there is no contamination.

Again, homeopathic medications are sensitive and become increasingly sensitive as you increase the potency. Unlike Bach Flower remedies and some other holistic treatments, homeopathy is not something that you want to self prescribe unless you know what you are doing.

AHVMA Directory:

· http://ahvma.org/
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Directory.

Acupuncture:

· http://msu.edu/user/hammermi/rd491/acupa.htm
Description of acupuncture.

· http://www.gunbarrelvet.com/acupuncture.htm
Easy to understand information on acupuncture and how it could help.

Aromatherapy:

· http://msu.edu/user/hammermi/rd491/aroma.htm
Description of aromatherapy.

Flower Essences:

· http://home.earthlink.net/~fourwinds/floweressence.html
Description of what flower essence is.

· http://pets1st.com/articles/00118mgrabner013aromatherapy.asp
Aromatherapy & Herbal Therapy for Pets

Gold Bead Implants:

· Gold Bead Implant Article .

From "Veterinary Acupuncture" by Dr.Terry Durkes.

· Korie's Adventure with Dr. Durkes and the Gold Beads.

by Kathi and Roy Dvorak.

Herbs:

· http://home.earthlink.net/~fourwinds/herbology.html
Description of herbology.

· http://msu.edu/user/hammermi/rd491/herb.htm

Description of Herbs.

Massage:

· http://www.cyberark.com/animal/word1.htm
"The TTOUCH Training Method for Dogs" - by Jodi Frediani.

Vitamins / Supplements:

· http://www.melatonin.com
The complete reference center for information source for Melatonin.

· http://www.autism.org/dmg.html
"Dimethylglycine (DMG) for Autism" by Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. (for humans).

Reiki:

· http://home.earthlink.net/~fourwinds/reiki.html

Reiki energy can relieve pain, reduce tension, and increase the life force of animal patients.