MUSCULOSKELETAL

Equine Back Pain

Species affected: Horses
Background: Back pain is very common in horses. Lower leg lameness may contribute to back pain, and vice versa. Poor shoeing is an important and often overlooked aspect of back pain, as is trauma.
Symptoms: Include resistance to training, refusing to jump, hollowing of the back, slow out of the starting gate, reluctance to make sliding stops, crooked movement or taking a long time to warm up.
Diagnostics: History and physical examination, including acupuncture and chiropractic examination if possible.
Special Notes: Nutritional deficiencies or imbalances, or mineral imbalances can result in muscle, tendon or ligament weakness and pain.
Principles for Supplementation: Improve circulation, reduce pain, supply mineral nutrition to the muscles.

EQUINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
ABC Plus14 oz, sid	Provides trace nutrients.
Chinese Herbal Limber Horse91/2 - 2/3 scoop, bid	Moves blood and qi; works best if worsens in cold, damp weather.
Equine Muscle Support92 scoops, sid	Supplies nutrients, especially minerals for proper muscle function.
L-Carnitine96-12 capsules, sid	Muscle pain from overexertion.
Rush Creek Minerals1Free choice.	Provides minerals needed for proper muscle function.
Traumogen98-12 capsules, sid	Herbs and nutrients supply help for healing injured muscle and collagen.

Intervertebral Disk Disease

Species affected: All (though only recently recognized in horses)
Background: Any condition causing the disc between the vertebrae to protrude or interfere with the spinal cord can result in this condition. Horses were thought not to acquire disc disease; however, this has not proven to be true. Certain breeds of dogs are prone to disc lesions, especially chondrodysplastic breeds. Once damaged, the normally soft and cushioned disc can become hardened and calcified. Not all calcified discs cause pain or disability. Many animals are predisposed to injury or damage due to weakened tendons and ligaments that hold the vertebrae and discs in place. This degeneration is due to lack of exercise, obesity, poor quality diet, or vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Symptoms: If the spinal cord is damaged, there may be an interruption of either sensory or motor function. Pain may be present in varying degrees, depending on the severity.
Diagnostics: Thorough neurological examination, as well as radiographic examination, CAT scans or MRIs.
Special Notes: Chiropractic adjusting can help prevent, as well as treat, disc disease, if done carefully and gently by a well-trained chiropractor. Acupuncture helps, especially with back pain and restoration of nerve function.
Principles for Supplementation: Nourish the disc by supplying minerals and nutrients known to have affinity for the disc.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:	Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Arthroplex9	Cats 1 capsule, sid	Balanced nutrients for joint and disc support.
	Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, bid
Chinese Herbal Arthragen9	Cats 1-2 pills, bid	For pain that is worse in cold damp weather.
	Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
Mobility 23	Cats 1/4 - 1/2 tablet, bid	Dispels wind damp.
	Dogs 1/2 - 2 tablets, bid or tid
Traumogen9	Cats 1/4 capsule, sid	Herbs and nutrients supply help for healing discs and joints.
	Dogs 1-2 capsules/50 lbs, sid

EQUINE PRODUCTS

Chinese Herbal Limber Horse91/2 - 2/3 scoop, bid	Moves blood and qi; works well on horses with multiple sites of arthritis, aggravated by cold and damp weather.
Traumogen98-12 capsules, sid	Nutrients to support collagen and connective tissue healing.

Arthritis, General

Species affected: All
Background: Dogs and horses, and to a lesser extent cats, are susceptible to arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is much less common and does not exist in horses. Arthritis, technically, is any condition that leads to an alteration of viscosity and loss of lubricative affect of the joint fluid. The result of this can be an increase in heat and friction within the joint capsule.
Symptoms: Pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion leading to calcified deposits in some of the joints.
Diagnostics: Radiographs, palpation.
Special Notes: Decreased liver function and "leaky bowel" syndrome can increase the likelihood of developing arthritis in sensitive individuals.
Principles for Supplementation: Improve the health of the joint fluid and reduce inflammation and pain.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:	Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Arthroplex9	Cats 1 capsule, sid	Balanced nutrients for joint support and anti-inflammatory activity.
	Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, bid
Chinese Herbal Arthragen9	Cats 1-2 pills, bid	For arthritis that worsens in cold, damp weather.
	Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
Gastriplex9	Cats 1 capsule, sid
	Dogs 3 capsules/50 lbs, sid
Glucosamine Sulfate9	Cats 1/4 capsule, sid	Provides source for glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans for improving joint function.
	Dogs 1 capsule/50 lbs, sid
Mobility 23	Cats 1/4 - 1/2 tablet, bid	Dispels wind damp.
	Dogs 1/2 - 2 tablets, bid or tid

EQUINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Chinese Herbal Limber Horse91/2 - 2/3 scoop, bid	Moves blood and qi; works well on horses with multiple sites of arthritis, aggravated by cold and damp weather.
Chondroitin Sulfate82-4 grams, sid	Improves joint function.
Glucosamine Sulfate93-5 grams, sid	Provides source for glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans for improving joint function.
Soreness Salve10Topical application to sore joints	Improves circulation, relieves pain.

Osteoarthritis

Species affected: All
Background: After a joint becomes arthritic (See Arthritis, General) and the inflammation has become chronic, the body attempts to ameliorate the situation by laying down calcium deposits on the ends of the bones that form the articulation as well as the soft tissue of the joint capsule.
Symptoms: Pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion leading to calcified deposits in some of the joints.
Diagnostics: Physical examination, radiographs; physical examination of bony growths can be palpable, crepitus can be felt within the joint. The mineral deposits are also readily visible radiographically or with ultrasound evaluation.
Special Notes: Decreased liver function and "leaky bowel" syndrome can increase the likelihood of developing arthritis in sensitive individuals.
Principles for Supplementation: Improve the health of the joint fluid and reduce inflammation and pain.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:	Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Arthragen9	Cats 1-2 pills, bid	For arthritis that worsens in cold damp weather.
	Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
Arthroplex9	Cats 1 capsule, sid	Balanced nutrients for joint support.
	Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, bid
Canine Geriatric Basic Nutrients9Dogs 1-2 capsules/50 lbs, bid	General nutritional support.
DL-Phenylalanine9	Cats 1/4 capsule, sid	Increases systemic endorphin levels.
	Dogs 1 capsule/50 lbs, sid
Feline Geriatric Basic Nutrients9Cats 1-2 capsules, sid	General nutritional support.
Glucosamine Sulfate9	Cats 1/4 capsule, sid	Provides source for glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans for improving joint function.
	Dogs 1 capsule/50 lbs, sid
Mobility 23	Cats 1/4 - 1/2 tablet, bid	Dispels wind damp.
	Dogs 1/2 - 2 tablets, bid or tid
Small Animal Antioxidant9	Cats 1/2 capsule, sid	Antioxidants reduce damage to joints.
	Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid

Equine Myopathies, Tying Up, Azoturia

Species affected: Horses
Background: Often occurs following strenuous exercise in animals that have been previously rested and are on full feed. This condition is often associated with mineral imbalances and improper nutrition, especially that of inadequate levels of selenium and the relationship of selenium intake to Vitamin E levels.
Symptoms: Stiffness of gait that may proceed to an inability to move, especially in the hindquarters. There can be profuse sweating and rapid heart rate in more severe cases.
Diagnostics: Blood tests for elevated levels of muscle enzymes, electrolyte creatinine clearance tests can indicate which minerals/electrolytes are being utilized poorly.
Special Notes: Mild cases usually resolve easily; recurring cases can be more difficult to treat.
Principles for Supplementation: Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and trace mineral imbalances account for many cases. Availability of the important minerals is questionable for many supplements currently in use.

EQUINE PRODUCTS

Laminitis, Equine

Species affected: Horses
Background: Acute laminitis is frequently caused by a heavy ingestion of grain or high carbohydrate fresh pasture. Chronic laminitis has many metabolic causes, from Cushing's disease, insulin resistance, endotoxemia, stress and drugs, particularly steroids. Excessive concussion, autoimmune states and allergic reactions may also be a cause.
Symptoms: Painful stance occurs at some interval after the initiating insult (48 hours for grain overload, but may be different for other insults).
Diagnostics: Blood work as needed depending on causes; insulin levels in the mature horse to check for insulin resistance and Cushing's syndrome; other hormonal testing may be beneficial.
Special Notes: Allowing the feet to rest is beneficial to the healing process, and many horses will recover faster when encouraged to lie down.
Principles for Supplementation: Natural treatment improves the circulation in the foot, helps slow the melting of the basement membrane during acute episodes and support the growth of new tissue. EQUINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Chinese Herbal Defounder91/2 - 2/3 scoop, bid	Circulates qi and blood, dispels inflammation.
Co-Q-100 or Lipoquinone 10091-5 capsules, sid	Powerful antioxidant in metabolically active tissue; works extremely well when used without concurrent NSAIDs.
Equine Antioxidant91 scoop, bid	Antioxidant.
Flax/Hemp Oil3-4 tablespoons, sid	Anti-inflammatory, improves glucose metabolism.
Inflammation Salve10Topical application to feet	Improves circulation, relieves pain, cools heat.
L-Glutamine93-10 teaspoons, sid	Helps heal intestinal tract, protects feet from endotoxins.

Trauma

Species affected: All
Background: The main categories of traumatic damage are fractures, sprains, dislocations, hemorrhage, bruising, concussion, severed nerves, torn ligaments and tendons, ruptured muscles, diaphragm, or organs.
Symptoms: Vary depending on the system involved; can be mild to severe.
Diagnostics: Diagnosis should not be limited to the obvious signs of problems but include all the organ systems and areas of the body that may have been injured.
Special Notes: None.
Principles for Supplementation: Natural treatment relieves inflammation and provides nutrients for the repair of tissues.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:	Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Chinese Herbal Recovery9	Cats 1-2 pills, bid	Relieves inflammation and pain, brings new blood to injured area.
	Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
DMSOWear gloves while rubbing into affected area, sid to bid. Be sure that area is clean.	Anti-inflammatory.
Double Strength Bromelain9	Cats 1/4 capsule, sid	Anti-inflammatory.
	Dogs 1-2 capsules/50 lbs, sid
Traumogen9	Cats 1/4 capsule, sid	Provides nutrients for epithelial and collagen repair.
	Dogs 1 capsule/50 lbs, sid

EQUINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:	Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Gold Solutions Releaf4	10-15 ml, sid	Provides anti-inflammatory herbs.
Inflammation Salve10	Topical application	For acutely inflamed area(s); relieves pain, circulates qi, cools heat.
M.F. Bromelain9	2-4 capsules, bid or tid	Anti-inflammatory.
Soreness Salve10	Topical application	Improves circulation, relieves pain.
Traumogen9	8-12 capsules, sid	Provides nutrients for epithelial and collagen repair.

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