cushing's and laminitis

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flame96

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hi i have a horse with both cushing's and laminitis who i have been using a new herbal product (cushy life) for it is amazing the change in her, I wish to pursue a career as a vet, my school also encourages us to do the AQA baccalaureate this involves doing an extended project for which the final piece is a 5000 word essay. so i have decided to do my essay on the title of "The advantages of using a herbal based remedy over established drug based treatments for Cushing's disease and Laminitis in horses" so i was hoping if any one wanted to voice there views on this topic or given me any information that i could use to support my essay i would be very grateful :) please and thank you in advance for any comments or help
 
I have nothing to add except that herbal based remedies are cheaper and not prescription only - there are more disadvantages like lack of clinical trials to evidence any benefits and difficulty establishing dose rate. But good luck with your essay and your ambitions - in general I do prefer herbal or alternative remedies but not in the case of something so potentially serious as Cushings and laminitis whatever the cause.
 
I think you'll struggle to find good sources that you can cite backing up that there are advantages to herbal over modern medicine. I'd be thinking more along the lines of a review of the two outlining differences observed and documented, rather than championing one over the other. Good luck :)
 
This is very timely as I use - Chaste Berry or Agnus Castus powder for my pony with cushings and in the latest BHS members magazine there is an article about using Chaste Berry instead of Prasend and the case example is from a lady with a cushings pony who had a bloods measurement of 208 and looked poor on Prasend (sp?) so she decided to try the Chaste Berry and had the pony's bloods re-tested after a month and the reading was done to a 100. The vet was very pleased. Several months later it was down to 26 and she has had it retested 2 winters on and it remains at 26 and the vet said the pony was no longer a 'cushings' pony.

She has ll her 3 ponies on the powder at a cost of £15 for 1 kg which lasts her a month. I suspect that the Cushy life is the same berry.

Perhaps contact the BHS for a copy of the article?
 
if anyone else has any other information on this topic it would be much appreciated and thank you to all those who have posted so far
 
The most up to date information on cushing's and EMS can be found here:
http://ecirhorse.org/

And best join Dr. Kellon's yahoo group ECIR. There is no other source as thorough and up to date on research. Data base of over 10 000 horses.
 
When my.mare had laminitis i was told to feed her wilted nettles as they help, i used it alongside the prescription drugs so cant say if it helped or not!
 
Over 10 000 members on that ECIR yahoo group, database with bloodwork and case histories accessible for all members.
And you could just ask if you need something else. :)
 
that is very helpful and i have tried to contact them but they appear to be very anti-herbal and so didn't like my report idea and were not very willing to help
 
They aren't anti herbal, but they only use herbals that have been proven to be effective.
Not sure who you contacted, the ECIR group is a yahoo group. With over 10 000 members. :)
 
Cushy life is just agnus cactus. You can buy Agnus Cactus far cheaper from other sources than Cushy life.

The the theory behind agnus cactus does have some relevance to cushings but I haven't currently found any research evidence to prove it does have statistically significant positive effects on cushings horses.

Only a fool would opt for Agnus Catus as the only treatment for cushings, when there is proven medication on the market (Prascend/pergolide). I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand as supportive suppliment, or if a horse was intolerant to prascend again wouldn't completely dismiss it, but no-way would I be relying on it ;)
 
I think your best bet would be to contact the companies who actually promote and supply herbal supplements, i.e. Naturally Animals, EquiNatural etc

Equine Iridologists and those who practice Zoopharmacognosy would also be a good source of info, as would Debbie at Thunderbrook Equestrian.

My boy is on Prascend but I have chosed to feed him organic (where I can) and natural sources of vitamins and minerals from herbs as well. Carol at EquiNatural made my horse a specific blend as alongside Cushings, he also has a Tendon Injury and is currently on box rest.

There is tonnes and tonnes of info out there if you look for it... google will be your new BFF
 
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