RESPIRATORY

Asthma, Feline

Species affected: Cats
Background: An autoimmune condition of domestic cats in which the lungs become inflamed and fluid-filled. Predisposing factors often include poor-quality diets, inadequate vitamins or minerals, exposure to environmental pollution, household toxins such as carpeting, cleansers, tobacco smoke, or perfumes, excess drugs, pesticides or vaccines, obesity, parasites, lack of exercise or emotional stress.
Symptoms: Wheezing, coughing, dyspnea, sneezing, excess respiratory secretions and cyanosis in severe cases.
Diagnostics: Confirm with radiology or ultrasound of the chest, as well as blood tests..
Special Notes: Asthma is more common in smoggy cities, and symptoms often correlate with a smog alert or with a stressful event.
Principles for Supplementation: Natural treatment involves the use of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances as well as dietary and lifestyle changes.

FELINE PRODUCTS

Equine Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Reactive Airway Disease

Species affected: Horses
Background: Both these conditions are manifestations of the same problem, an immune system overreactive to allergens. The allergens may include dusts, molds, pollens or even food, and may vary from seasonal to year-round, often progressing in duration and severity as the horse ages. Dusty barns and moldy hay are important trigger factors. Horses may develop this condition following a viral infection.
Symptoms: Restricted air exchange within the lungs and resultant dyspnea. Include coughing, heaving, wheezing and increased respiratory congestion and secretion.
Diagnostics: Physical exam, lung function tests.
Special Notes: Performance horses are greatly impaired by this condition and may lose their ability to work.
Principles for Supplementation: Regulate immune system and relieve respiratory symptoms.

EQUINE PRODUCTS

Feline Viral Upper Respiratory Disease

Species affected: Cats
Background: Usually caused by a herpes virus or calicivirus; may be Chlamydia psittaci. This disease can be a first time acute episode or chronic relapsing disease. It is more common in young cats, especially if they are confined in a cattery or a pound where the highly contagious viruses abound. The symptoms can arise as a portion of the feline leukemia complex.
Symptoms: A sharp fever spike, ocular and nasal discharges, lung sounds, coughing and frequent sneezing, malaise, and dyspnea.
Diagnostics: Physical exam.
Special Notes: Animals whose parents' nutritional and health status are questionable are most likely to become infected. Any animal with a weakened immune system is likely to be susceptible to this viral complex especially when exposed and vulnerable.
Principles for Supplementation: General support of the immune system as well as antiviral herbs.

FELINE PRODUCTS

Rhinitis/Sinusitis

Species affected: All
Background: The condition may be due to allergic reaction, exposure to irritants such as dust or mold, infection with virus, bacteria, yeast, or fungal agent.
Symptoms: Excess nasal discharge, wheezing, coughing and gagging, dyspnea and discomfort.
Diagnostics: Physical examination, microscopic smears of the discharge, blood tests.
Special Notes: In cats, this may be a chronic viral problem; however, inhalant and food allergies are a not uncommon cause in both dogs and cats. (See Allergy, Food in IMMUNE section). In horses, it is likely due to a viral infection or irritation.
Principles for Supplementation: Support the immune system; natural treatment is directed at the identified cause, whether viral, bacterial or immune system weakness.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:	Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Chinese Herbal Bactolyte9	Cats 1-2 pills, bid	Antibacterial.
	Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
Chinese Herbal Virolyte9	Cats 1-2 pills, bid	Antiviral.
	Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
Immugen9	Cats 1/2 capsule, sid	Strengthens the immune system if chronic infection suspected.
	Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid
Nasal Tabs3	Cats 1/4 - 1/2 tablet, bid	Clears heat and phlegm, dispels wind.
	Dogs 1/2 - 2 tablets, bid or tid
Super EPA9	Cats 1/2 capsule, sid	Helpful when chronic allergies are suspected.
	Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid

EQUINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Chinese Herbal Equine Tonic91/2 - 2/3 scoop, bid	Strengthens immune system, helps with upper respiratory infections.
Equine Antioxidant91 scoop, bid	Antioxidant, helps heal damaged tissue.
Equine Immune Support92 scoops, sid	Strengthens immune system.
Omega Plus910-15 capsules, sid	Enhances anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.
Vitamin C with flavonoids92-4 grams, bid	Enhances immune system.

Canine Bronchitis

Species affected: Dogs
Background: Usually occurs when dogs are exposed to large numbers of other dogs, especially when boarded. It may occur as the aftermath of a viral infection or other respiratory infection, but may also be bacterial, allergic, traumatic in origin, or from exposure to dust, mold, pollution, smoke or other irritating substances. Excess barking may also predispose animals to bronchitis.
Symptoms: Generally a dry hacking cough and there may or may not be increased respiratory secretions and lung sounds, fever, and dyspnea. The cough tends to be persistent.
Diagnostics: Physical exam; rule out tumors and heart disease.
Special Notes: In the older dogs the immune system is often compromised.
Principles for Supplementation: Natural treatment supports the respiratory tract, helps stabilize the membranes and move secretions if present.

CANINE PRODUCTS

Therapeutics:Dosage:	Mechanism/Purpose:
Astra C3Dogs 1/2 - 2 tablets, bid or tid	Combination of nutrients and Chinese herbs that help the respiratory system. Most effective when used at the first sign of infection.
Canine Geriatric Basic Nutrients9Dogs 1-2 capsules/50 lbs, bid	Broad spectrum nutrients including some antioxidants.
Cysteplus (N-acetyl-L-cysteine)9, 500mgDogs 1 capsule, sid	Mucolytic and antioxidant.
S.A.T.Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid	Decreases pulmonary fibrosis.
Small Animal Antioxidant9Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs/day	Antioxidant
Super EPA9Dogs 1 capsule/25 lbs	Anti-inflammatory.

Chylothorax

Species affected: Dogs, cats
Background: Chylothorax may be associated with heart disease and cancer, but is usually idiopathic.
Symptoms: Dyspnea, abnormal posture, characteristic lack of normal lung sounds and loss of percussiveness to the chest.
Diagnostics: A microscopic examination confirms the diagnosis. The fluid is white and opaque and of a lymphatic fluid consistency.
Special Notes: The chest must be drained with a needle to relieve pressure on the lungs.
Principles for Supplementation: The only specific treatment for idiopathic chylothorax is Rutin, 50 mg/kg divided daily.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS

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