Herbs    and     Supplements 

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updated on June 3, 2001

               Queenie is given the following herbs and supplements for her diabetes and
               other complications.  I give my dog antibiotics as well as herbs.  I feel there
               is room for herbal remedies as well as conventional methods.  My own doctor
               suggests herbs in addition to whatever medicine he prescribes.
               She did not receive any vaccinations this year except for rabies which is the law.
               This is my choice and everyone has to make their own decision regarding vaccinations
               and whether or not to give their dog herbs.
            Ester-C
             one half tablet daily
              One whole tablet contains:
              Vitamin C 500 mg
               Calcium 50 mg
               Bioflavonoids 100 mg
               Echinacea 100 mg

             Vitamin  E
               She receives 100 units of vitamin E a day.
               This is to benefit her skin(which is terrible) and her heart.
               Beneficial for diabetes and the pancreas.

             Alfalfa(I no longer use this)
               I use the tincture in any of the herbs I use because they are easier to administer;
               Queenie receives 4 drops of alfalfa every morning on her food.
               This is a remedy for yin deficiency.  (Queenie was always hot and panting and
               since starting this it does not seem to be as noticeable.
               This is also good for the kidneys and diabetic animals are prone to kidney problems.
               This is also a good supply of vitamin and minerals according to some of the herb books.

             Blueberry  Leaves(I no longer use this)
               Queenie receives 2 drops of blueberry leaves every morning on her food.  Blueberry
               Leaves are used in Europe for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
               It is suppose to lower glucose levels.
               The only tincture I have found is made by Nature's Answer.

             Hawthorne
               Queenie had a heartbeat of 160 all of last year and Bob said he could hear
               a problem on her left side.
               According to one of my herb books this was the choice for congestive heart
               failure so I decided to go with it.
               She had received one to drops a day for three months when I took her in for
               a check-up back in March of 1997 and I told Dr. Bob what I had been doing
               and he took her pulse and found it was down to 120.  On her checkup on
               October 31, 1997 her pulse was still at 120.  I discontinued the hawthorne back
               in March and will not give it to her until her pulse rises again.
               In April of 2001 again at the suggestion of Dr.Bob we started her back on one drop of hawthorne a day.
               Once again after one month her heart rate has dropped from 180 to 150

               In addition I give one vitamin a day (from vet),

             Yogurt
             I mix one teaspoon of non fat white plain yogurt in her food daily after a bout with yeast infection.

             Susie's  Herbs
               Susie gets Super Blue Green Algae, Fast Track, Prozyme, Ester C, Vit. E,
               Hokamix, and CoQ10, along with fresh vegetables(parsley, zucchini, celery,
               green beans), millet and Pitcairn's raw meat supplement.  If you have any
               questions as to why Susie is using these contact Pat Smart on the e-mail list.
 

Chromium by Jennifer Prince, DVM  Drs. Foster & Smith Veterinary Services Department Chromium is a trace element which is an essential cofactor for the hormone insulin which regulates the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Supplementation of chromium picolinate may aid body fat loss, retain and build lean body mass, lower elevated blood sugar, and reduce blood cholesterol levels. Chromium supplementation may result in weight gain if exercise is lacking as it slows the rate of fat loss.  Chromium's effect on animals is being studied both for weight loss and regulation of glucose in diabetics. Chromium may be helpful in diabetic animals (especially cats) that are difficult to regulate on insulin. In humans with diabetes, chromium has increased insulin sensitivity, reduced insulin requirements, and decreased the need for some diabetic medications.  Chromium is found in cheese, prunes, shredded wheat cereal, raw peanuts, peanut butter, raw mushrooms, thyme, corn, and peas.  Kidney disease has been noted in a small number of people who have used over the counter chromium picolinate supplements.  Excess chromium is thought to be excreted in the urine.  Picolinate is used to increase the absorption of chromium in the digestive system.  © 2000 Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from PetEducation.com (http://www.PetEducation.com) On-line store at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208

             Recommended  Books
               Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine
             by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
               Published by Prima Publishing.

             Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
             by Richard H. Pitcairn, D.V.M., Ph.D., & Susan Hubble Pitcairn
               Published by Rodale

             The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats
             By the editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books
               Published by Rodale

             The Healing Herbs
             By Michael Castleman
               Published by Rodale

             Prescription for Nutritional Healing
             By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
               Published by Avery