pet connection

A little bit of propaganda PR came across my e-mail inbox today, assuring me that a nutritional supplement containing, among other things, the herb white willow bark could, when combined with prescription pain relievers, allow me to reduce the dosage of the drug and get the same result.

I certainly believe that the use of anti-inflammatory supplements such as Omega 3 fatty acids, as found in fish body oils, and clinically proven, independently tested joint supplements such as Cosequin, along with alternative therapies like acupuncture, can reduce, delay, and sometimes even eliminate the need for prescription pain medications for dogs with joint disease.

But dog owners need to be very careful when using herbs in combination with prescription drugs. For instance, this supplement, and many others, contains white willow bark. WWB is a perfectly good herb for mild pain relief. It’s the substance from which aspirin is derived. It’s probably safer for the GI tract than aspirin is. BUT… and this is a really big BUT… neither aspirin nor white willow bark can ever be combined with the class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) – the drugs sold as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Etogesic, Metacam, and others.

That’s because both aspirin and WWB are also non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. They inhibit the same enzyme, cyclooxygenase (COX for short). Cyclooxygenase is a substance in the body that causes it to produce prostaglandins, which cause pain and swelling. The problem is, prostaglandins do all sorts of beneficial things in the body, too, like maintain and repair the intestinal lining, control the body’s hormonal systems, and regulate kidney function. There are, in fact, few body systems that do not rely, at least in part, on prostaglandins, so inhibiting them clearly has the potential to cause as many problems as it solves, or more.

By doubling up on the COX-inhibiting effect of WWB or aspirin with the COX-inhibiting effect of prescription NSAIDs, you don’t just increase the pain control, you increase the risk. In the hope of making your pet safer, you are putting him at greater risk.

There are many things, both alternative and conventional, that can help reduce the side effects of NSAIDs, or delay the need for them. If your dog has arthritis, NSAIDs don’t need to be your first defense. Adequan injections are more expensive but much safer than NSAIDs, and may be all your dog needs. The side effects of the drug Tramadol are much less than those of the NSAIDs, and for many dogs, it’s just as effective. There are drugs, supplements, and herbs that can reduce the side effects and risk of NSAIDs – there’s information on that over on Nancy Campbell RVT’s blog, Vet Techs.

Be careful what and who you believe… especially if they’re selling you something.

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