(Continued from August issue)

Calendula, Comfrey, Cucumber
These anti-oxidant herbs are astringent, cleansing, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, soothing, and softening to the skin.

Co-Enzyme Q-10
A natural substance found in every cell of the human body and in plants, co-enzyme Q-10 is also called ubiquinone. It is a vitamin-like anti-oxidant that boosts cellular activity and fortifies the skin against damage from the sun. The enzyme has shown dramatic results in treating periodontal (gum) diseases, and in cancer treatment, mainly to reduce heart damage caused by the anti-cancer medicines.

Cranberries
The primary medicinal component of cranberries is D-mannose. Adding cranberries or cranberry juice to the diet will help competitively block bacterial adherence to the bladder lining.

Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Progress has been made during the past years in several areas of fatty acid metabolism and nutrition for dogs. Renal and cardiovascular diseases may be amenable to dietary management with omega-3 fatty acids. The addition of a-linolenic acid (ALA) to the diet may indirectly promote skin and coat benefits.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) can be synthesized from ALA contained in dietary vegetable sources, and high dietary amounts of ALA contribute to modification of cellular responses. Provision of preformed sources of dietary EPA, however, appears to more efficiently modify inflammatory responses in dogs with osteoarthritis or other conditions related to immune function.

Adequate amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are important for neurologic development, and arise from conversion of ALA. Puppies that suckle ALA-rich milk accumulate DHA in their plasma for a short time prior to weaning. Provision of DHA directly as fish oil during gestation and lactation (to the dams) and after weaning (to the puppies) results in improved electroretinographic responses. Thus, provision of preformed DHA in diets is an efficient means of supporting the developing nervous system in puppies.

Slippery Elm
This herb helps heal internal mucosal tissues, such as the stomach, reproductive tract, and esophagus. It helps soothe ulcers and stomach inflammation, irritated intestines, sore throat, and coughs.

Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained from distilling the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. It has a long history of traditional use for healing skin cuts, burns, and infections by crushing the leaves and applying them to the affected area. Tea tree oil contains terpenoids, which have been found to have antiseptic and antifungal activity. It works against yeast as well. It is also an ingredient in creams, ointments, lotions, soaps, and shampoos.

Undiluted tea tree oil may cause skin irritation, redness, blistering, and itching, so diluting it 1:5 in olive oil is recommended. Caution is needed when using it in cats, as they should not be allowed to lick it off.

Grapefruit seed extract
Extracted from grapefruit seeds, this product is used in combination with propylene glycol and glycerin as a preservative, bactericide, and stabilizer.

Green Leafy/ Yellow Orange Vegetables
Consumption of vegetables (kale, spinach, collard greens, Italian parsley, carrots, yellow squash, sweet potatoes) at least 3 times/wk was associated with a 70% overall reduction in risk of developing transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder in genetically predisposed Scottish terriers. The most frequently consumed vegetables were in the yellow-orange group, with carrots fed most often. For individual vegetable types, the risk of developing TCC was reduced 90% with consumption of any green leafy vegetables and 70% with any yellow-orange vegetables. These findings are believed to relate to the presence of carotenoids and retinol in green and yellow vegetables, which also convey a protective effect against developing bladder cancer in humans and in chemically-induced bladder neoplasms in rodents.

Medicinal Mushrooms
Potent medicinal properties are contained within certain mushrooms, Maitake (Grifola frondosa), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), and Shitake (Lentinula edodes). These medicinal mushrooms exhibit a variety of anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and immune enhancing properties. They are both anti-proliferative and anti-cancer.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy in the form of diffuse lavender odor has recently been shown to offer a practical alternative treatment for travel-induced excitement in dogs. Results showed that dogs spent significantly more time resting and sitting, and less time moving and vocalizing when exposed to the lavender aroma.

(For additional information, read Journal Reference Aromatherapy for Travel-Induced Excitement in Dogs in the April 2007 issue of Antech News.

References: Bauer, JAVMA 231:1657-1661, 2007; Wells, JAVMA 229:964-967, 2006; Raghavan et al, JAVMA 225:389-394,2004 and JAVMA 227:94-100, 2005; Glickman et al, JAVMA 224:1290-1297, 2004; Wynn, Marsden, Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine, Mosby, St. Louis, Missouri, 2003, 740 pp; Swanson, Townsend Letter, 2003; Dodds, Clin Tech Sm An Pract, 17(10: 58-63, 2002; Dodds, Ch 5. In: Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine. Mosby, St. Louis, 1997; pp 73-79.