Comparison of veterinary drugs and veterinary homeopathy: part 2

Surveying dog owners' use and understanding of, and communication with veterinarians about, complementary and alternative veterinary medicine

BACKGROUND

Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) seems to be gaining acceptance by pet owners. Client-veterinarian communication about CAVM is important to explore client perceptions and facilitate open exchange of ideas between owners and veterinarians.

METHODS

This study includes an online, cross-sectional survey of dog owners to evaluate CAVM use and client-veterinarian communication about CAVM. Based on the extended theory of planned behaviour, factors influencing the intention to use CAVM were evaluated.

RESULTS

Past CAVM use was reported by 45.3% clients based on 1000 valid surveys. The attitude towards CAVM was generally positive. Perceived knowledge about CAVM positively predicted perceived behavioural control and attitude towards CAVM. Both were the strongest predictors of future CAVM use. Around 45.7% of clients had already talked to their veterinarian about CAVM. This conversation was mainly initiated by the owner (66.3%). Owners expected the veterinarian to have knowledge about CAVM (91.5%) and offer referral (71.5%).

LIMITATIONS

The limitation is difficulty in classifying and defining CAVM modalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Owners' perceived behavioural control and attitude towards CAVM predict CAVM use. Failure to engage in a conversation about CAVM hampers clients to partner with veterinarians to discuss the treatment approach and maximise patient outcome. The veterinarian plays an essential role in providing objective accurate information about CAVM.

Eficacia de tratamientos homeopáticos frente a nematodos gastrointestinales en bovinos del trópico bajo ecuatoriano

Con el objetivo de evaluar la eficacia de tratamientos homeopáticos en el control de nematodosis gastrointestinal en bovinos, a través del porcentaje de reducción (%RH) de huevos por gramo de heces (HPG), se realizó una investigación con 60 bovinos mestizos, los cuales se ajustaron según su edad y distribuyeron en cinco tratamientos (T), tres con remedios homeopáticos (Arsenicum album, Artemisia cina y Sulphur), un grupo alopático (Fenbendazol 10 %) y otro control, siendo administrados por vía oral, a una dosis de 10 mL·animal-1·día-1, en los T homeopáticos al grupo respectivo, y al control agua destilada por cinco días consecutivos; al T alopático se le suministró una única dosis de 5 mg·kg-1 de peso vivo. La eficacia fue calculada a través del %RH, comparado con el grupo control. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que el T alopático, obtuvo un %RH de 88,5 % en la cuarta semana, pero con disminución del %RH desde la séptima a la novena semana con 42,68 y 5,32 %, respectivamente. En el caso de los remedios homeopáticos, el que presentó mejor eficacia fue A. cina con una reducción del 93,62 % en la novena semana del estudio; en el caso de sulphur 84,57 % y A. album, mostró un %RH hasta 49,96 %. Remedios homeopáticos como A. cina y sulphur mostraron eficacia frente a nematodos gastrointestinales en bovinos, siendo unas alternativas a productos alopáticos como Fenbendazol 10 %, por su mayor %RH a través del ensayo.

The Decline and Fall of Materia Medica and the Rise of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Veterinary Medicine

Materia Medica is a Latin term, relating to the history of pharmacy. It describes the sources (vegetable, animal and mineral), nature, preparation, and properties of substances or mixtures of substances, which were used as remedies for the treatment of diseases. Bourgelat authored the first veterinary Materia Medica book. This review describes the evolution and ultimate downfall of Materia Medica concepts and practices. Its survival for more than two millennia reflected the impact of religion and dogmas on therapy. The consignment of Materia Medica to history was signified by publication of the first modern book of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics by Meyer Jones in 1953. Previously, the dominance of Materia Medica was linked to an hippiatry culture, which was shared with farriers and quacks. The Pasteurian and pharmacological revolutions of the second half of the nineteenth century led to its gradual abandonment. This review explains why the existence of authentically active substances, such as opioid analgesics, cardiotonics and general anesthetics either were not used for those actions or were badly prescribed, in part because of historical precedence and in part from lack of pathophysiological knowledge to justify rational use. The modern concept of dosage, in particular inter-species differences, was not understood. There were also major dogmas, supporting false indications, such as failure to recognize pain as a symptom to be treated, whereas inflammation was only a disease symptom involving excess of activity of the blood system, which had to be vigorously addressed by bleeding and purging. This review covers a well-defined period, ranging from Bourgelat, who wrote the first book of Materia Medica for veterinary studies to the first edition of Meyer Jones textbook in 1953, which marked the end of Materia Medica and the beginning of pharmacology in veterinary medicine.

[Effects of a homeopathic medication on clinical signs of canine atopic dermatitis]

OBJECTIVE

A commercially available medication containing homeopathic ingredients showed first signs of success in atopic dermatitis in dogs. The aim of this case series was to evaluate the effect of the preparation in a larger number of dogs with atopic dermatitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ten atopic dogs received the oral homoeopathic combination preparation daily for 3 weeks according to the manufacturer's specifications. The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis was made previously by medical history, clinical examination and exclusion of differential diagnoses. Skin infections with bacteria and yeasts were excluded by clinical examination and cytological evaluation of impression smears. In food-allergic dogs, an elimination diet was fed at least 2 months prior and during the entire study period. Patients with suspected or confirmed flea allergy received flea control for at least 1 month prior to and during the study. The clinical signs were evaluated before and after therapy using a validated Pruritus Visual Analogue Acale (PVAS) and the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index (CADLI). The coat quality was assessed by the owners. Possible adverse effects were recorded at the recheck.

RESULTS

There were no significant changes in the lesion score (Wilcoxon test, p = 1.0), pruritus score (paired t test, p = 0.34) and coat quality (paired t test, p = 0.34) over the duration of treatment. Only one patient showed a slight improvement in itching and coat quality. No side effects were observed.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

In this case series, the tested homoeopathic preparation did not show a positive effect on the clinical signs of canine atopic dermatitis.

Comparison of veterinary drugs and veterinary homeopathy: part 1

For many years after its invention around 1796, homeopathy was widely used in people and later in animals. Over the intervening period (1796-2016) pharmacology emerged as a science from Materia Medica (medicinal materials) to become the mainstay of veterinary therapeutics. There remains today a much smaller, but significant, use of homeopathy by veterinary surgeons. Homeopathic products are sometimes administered when conventional drug therapies have not succeeded, but are also used as alternatives to scientifically based therapies and licensed products. The principles underlying the veterinary use of drug-based and homeopathic products are polar opposites; this provides the basis for comparison between them. This two-part review compares and contrasts the two treatment forms in respect of history, constituents, methods of preparation, known or postulated mechanisms underlying responses, the legal basis for use and scientific credibility in the 21st century. Part 1 begins with a consideration of why therapeutic products actually work or appear to do so.