Cattle Mag

Archive for the ‘Bird Health’ Category

Why would I be recommended to administer colostrum to my pet?

In pets, colostrum has been recommended and anecdotally found useful for the treatment of wounds (promotes healing of insect bites, abscesses, ruptured cysts, warts, and surgical incisions when applied topically to the wound,) gingivitis, as an aid to proper functioning and motility of the intestinal tract, diarrhea, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, food allergies, and arthritis.

How much experience is there with the use of colostrum in pets?

Colostrum has been used for many years as part of the therapy for people and pets with a variety of illnesses. While controlled studies in pets are lacking, it may be effective in stimulating the immune system or in directly killing bacteria, fungi, or viruses.

What species of animals are being treated regularly with colostrum ?

Any animal species may benefit from colostrum.

How can my pet benefit from colostrum?

Any sick pet may benefit from supplementation with colostrum as part of their treatment.

How successful is colostrum?

Studies in people are contradictory with some studies showing benefit against various infections and other studies showing no benefit. Anecdotally, many owners feel that their pets have improved when colostrum is given to their pets. Since other supplements are part of the therapy, it is difficult to assess the effectiveness of colostrums usage. However, since colostrum and similar supplements are safe, using colostrum as part of the therapy for pets with any illness is unlikely to cause harm and may have benefit.

How safe is colostrum?

Colostrum does not seem to cause any significant side effects and has been used safely in many pets.

Where do I get colostrum and do I need a prescription?

As is true with many supplements, your veterinarian may have favorite supplements that he will sell you or recommend to you. Pet owners are cautioned against buying supplements without knowledge of the manufacturer, as supplements are not highly regulated and some supplements may not contain the labeled amount of colostrum. A prescription is not needed for colostrum.

What species of animals are being treated regularly with carnitine?

Dogs are the main species treated with carnitine, although any species can be supplemented with carnitine for possible benefit.

How much research has been conducted on this supplement?

Carnitine is one of our better-researched supplements and has been shown to help some dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy.

How can my pet benefit from carnitine?

For pets with carnitine deficiency, supplementation is essential to reverse the effects of dilated cardiomyopathy and secondary congestive heart failure.

How successful is carnitine?

For some dogs with true carnitine deficiency, supplementation can be life-saving. For most pets with heart disease, supplementation may be beneficial, but other supplements are often combined with carnitine to get a balanced cardiac tonic.

How safe is carnitine?

Carnitine is very safe. People are advised not to use forms of carnitine known as “D-carnitine” or “DL-carnitine,” as these can cause angina, muscle pain and loss of muscle function (probably by interfering with L-carnitine.) The maximum safe dosages for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease have not been established; similar precautions are probably warranted in pets. Pets that are taking antiseizure medications, particularly phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital, may may need extra carnitine, especially those with heart disease.

Where do I get carnitine and do I need a prescription?

As is true with many supplements, your veterinarian may have favorite supplements that he will sell you or recommend to you. Pet owners are cautioned against buying supplements without knowledge of the manufacturer, as supplements are not highly regulated and some supplements may not contain the labeled amount of carnitine. A prescription is not needed for carnitine supplements.