Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis with a commercial homeopathic remedy: a single-blinded,placebo-controlled study

A commercial homeopathic remedy and a placebo were administered orally as individual agents to 18 dogs with atopic dermatitis. The pruritus was reduced by less than 50% in only 2/18 dogs; 1 of these dogs was receiving the homeopathic remedy, the other was receiving the placebo. One dog vomited after administration of the homeopathic remedy.     

The effects of road transportation with or without homeopathic remedy supplementation on growth performance,apparent nutrient digestibility,fecal microbiota,and serum cortisol and superoxide dismutase levels in growing pigs

The specialization of swine production and the market demand for pigs at different growth stages makes road transportation inevitable. However, road transportation usually causes a stress response in pigs. It is reported that homeopathic remedies supplementation could alleviate the stress response in pigs. This study investigated the effects of road transportation with or without homeopathic remedy (Convermax) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and serum cortisol and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations in growing pigs. A total of 180 crossbred 49-d-old growing pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an initial body weight of 13.17 ± 0.02 kg were randomly allotted to 2 groups based on the initial body weight, containing 18 replicates with 5 pigs (mixed sex) in each. The pigs were fed dietary supplementation of a homeopathic remedy (Convermax) (0 or 200 mg/kg of feed, as-fed) for 35 d. On day 21, 45 pigs (70-d old; 25.25 ± 0.37 kg) were randomly selected from each group and assigned to either 2 hr of road transportation or no road transportation, resulting in a 2 × 2 factorial design. We found that road transportation led to an increase in the fecal coliform bacteria counts (P = 0.023) and serum cortisol concentration (P = 0.039) and a decrease in the serum SOD concentration (P < 0.001). However, supplementing homeopathic remedy (Convermax) to the diet of growing pigs increased gain to feed ratio (P = 0.042), apparent nitrogen digestibility (P = 0.019), and serum SOD concentration (P = 0.007), whereas decreased serum cortisol concentration (P = 0.022). In brief, road transportation induced stress response for growing pigs and increased harmful bacteria counts in their intestines. Dietary supplementation of homeopathic remedy (Convermax) alleviated stress response, improved apparent nitrogen digestibility, and increased gain to feed ratio. However, no significant interactive effects between road transportation with or without dietary homeopathic remedy (Convermax) levels were observed on the detected parameters in growing pigs.     

The acute toxicity of four common poisons to the opossum,Trichosurus vulpecula

Extract

Although a number of poisons are used for the destruction of opossums, Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr), very little information on their acute toxic effects is available. A study of the toxicity of four poisons was therefore undertaken. Two of these compounds, sodium monofluoroacetate and sodium cyanide, are used as toxins against opossums in New Zealand, and two others, arsenic trioxide and strychnine, alkaloid, are used for the destruction of rabbits. Arsenic trioxide and strychnine were suggested as replacements for sodium monofluoroacetate and sodium cyanide by the Rabbit Destruction Council (pers. comm.). They suggested strychnine as a substitute for cyanide to overcome poison shyness and arsenic as a substitute for sodium monofluoroacetate to circumvent the danger of secondary poisoning to farmers' dogs.     

钼酸钠对亚硝酸钠中毒小鼠保护作用的研究

为了研究钼酸钠对亚硝酸钠中毒小鼠存活时间、体重、血液学指标和免疫学指标的影响,选取144只小鼠并随机分为9组,其中Ⅰ组～Ⅴ组做小鼠存活时间试验研究,Ⅵ组～Ⅸ组做钼酸钠和亚硝酸钠对小鼠体重、血液学指标和免疫学指标影响研究,各组小鼠用不同剂量亚硝酸钠和钼酸钠进行处理,饲喂相同基础日粮。结果表明,0.016mL/g 50g/L NaMoO4对3d染毒组和15d染毒组小鼠存活时间有极显著影响(P<0.01);200mg/L NaMoO4和200mg/kg NaNO2对小鼠体重增长、血液学指标和免疫学指标与对照组比较差异不显著(P>0.05),而500mg/L NaMoO4和200mg/kg NaNO2对小鼠体重增长、血液学指标和免疫学指标与对照组比较差异显著(P<0.05)。说明非中毒剂量NaMoO4能缓解亚硝酸钠的毒性,而中毒剂量NaMoO4则会加重亚硝酸钠的毒性。     

披针叶黄华生物碱的毒性试验研究

通过披针叶黄华碱对小鼠毒性试验的研究,复制出喹喏里西啶类生物碱中毒病理学模型。结果表明,小鼠一次性灌服总碱200mg/kg时,即出现急性中毒死亡,由此大致推断其LD50≤200mg/kg;对慢性中毒小鼠的血液生化检查中发现,披针叶黄华碱可使小鼠体内血红蛋白、红细胞、白细胞数量升高,谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、肌酸激酶(CK)含量升高,尿素氮(BUN)浓度下降;对慢性中毒小鼠的临床病理学检查中发现,以心、肝、肺、肾实质器官的细胞变性坏死为主,尤其是以肝脏、肾脏的损伤较为严重,也说明披针叶黄华碱毒性作用的靶器官可能是肝脏和肾脏。     

Chronic copper toxicity in a dairy cow

A three year old Holstein dairy cow fed a ration containing a copper supplement died of chronic copper poisoning. The concentration of copper in the liver was 331 ppm (wet weight). The typical lesions of chronic copper toxicity including icterus, hepatic fibrosis and hemoglobinemic nephrosis were found at necropsy. The chronic copper toxicity was not considered to be a herd problem since the liver copper concentration in a slaughtered cull animal and blood samples taken from five animals in the same herd were within normal limits.     

No effect of a homeopathic preparation on neonatal calf diarrhoea in a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of a homeopathic treatment of neonatal calf diarrhoea was performed using 44 calves in 12 dairy herds. Calves with spontaneously derived diarrhoea were treated with either the homeopathic remedy Podophyllum (D30) (n = 24) or a placebo (n = 20). No clinically or statistically significant difference between the 2 groups was demonstrated. Calves treated with Podophyllum had an average of 3.1 days of diarrhoea compared with 2.9 days for the placebo group. Depression, inappetence and fever were presented equally in the 2 groups. These results support the widely held opinion that scientific proof for the efficacy of veterinary homeopathy is lacking. In the European Union this implies a considerable risk for animal welfare, since in some countries priority is given to homeopathic treatments in organic farming.     

The toxicity and kinetics of larkspur alkaloid,methyllycaconitine, in mice

Larkspur poisoning sporadically kills from 5 to 15% of the cattle on North American mountain rangelands. Of the 40 different diterpenoid larkspur alkaloids, the one that is thought to be responsible for much of the toxicity has been identified as methyllycaconitine (MLA). Little is known of MLA toxicokinetics or excretion. The purpose of this study was to further characterize the clinical effects of MLA toxicity in mice and determine the toxicokinetics of MLA excretion. Eight groups of mice were dosed intravenously with 2.0 mg/kg of BW of MLA, killed, and necropsied at 0, 1, 2, 5,10,15, 30, and 60 min after injection. Treated animals were reluctant to move, trembled, and developed dyspnea, muscular twitches, and convulsions. Within several minutes, the clinical signs abated and behavior slowly returned to normal over approximately 20 min. At necropsy serum, brain, liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle were collected and frozen. Blood and tissues were extracted and analyzed for MLA with HPLC and electron spray mass spectrometry. Blood MLA elimination followed a normal biphasic redistribution and excretion pattern (r = 0.99) with a K of elimination of 0.0376 and half-life of 18.4 min. Other tissues had similar clearance rates. These data indicate the MLA is rapidly distributed and excreted. In mice, the clinical effects of poisoning seem to affect the central nervous system, causing dyspnea and "explosive" muscular twitches and convulsions. Because livestock commonly eat larkspur at subclinical doses, they are likely to have larkspur alkaloids in many tissues. These results suggest that animals exposed to larkspur should rapidly excrete MLA (within several hours) and that the residues in animal tissues are not likely to be a problem if animals are given several days to allow toxin clearance.     

Estrogenic Properties of Locoweed (Astragalus lentiginosus)

Locoweed, Astragalus lentiginosus was extracted with ether (EE) and water (WE). These and the plant residue were mixed with basal diet (BD) and fed to weanling female mice to determine the plant's estrogenic activity. Diethylstilbesterol (DES) was fed as a control. Uterine weight was taken at five to seven days. Three feeding trials were conducted.

In Trial 1 one group of mice was fed a basal diet and one group the basal diet plus EE 1 gm/mouse. The uteri from mice receiving EE were heavier (P <.01) than from those receiving BD.

In Trial 2 mice were fed 0.10 gmEE/mouse, 0.15 gm EE/mouse, 0.10 and 0.15 µg DES/mouse and basal diet. The uteri from the DES fed mice were heavier (P <.01) than the others. The uteri from the EE mice and the BD mice were lighter than those of the DES mice, but there was no difference between the uteri from the EE and BD. This was thought to be due to the level of EE fed.

In Trial 3 three levels of EE, 1.30, 0.86, and 0.42 gm/mouse, two levels of DES, 0.075 and 0.150 µg/mouse, one level water extract, 3 gm/mouse, plant residue, 3 gm/mouse, and basal diet were fed. The uteri from EE mice were heavier (P <.01) than the DES and DES heavier (P <.01) than WE or BD fed mice. Lesions typical of locoweed poisoning were found in WE fed mice. It was concluded that locoweeds contain high levels of estrogenic compounds as well as those causing pathological lesions.

     

Thiacetarsamide in dogs with Dirofilaria immitis: influence of decreased liver function on drug efficacy

The influence that decreased functional hepatic mass had on blood arsenic concentrations in dogs after they were treated with thiacetarsamide, on the clearance of indocyanine green (ICG), on arsenic concentrations in the heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), and on drug efficacy was studied. Dogs which were partially hepatectomized and treated with thiacetarsamide (1.76 mg/kg, 2 times a day for 2 days) had a significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced ICG clearance, significantly (P less than 0.01) higher arsenic levels in heartworms, and a significantly (P less than 0.01) higher proportion of heartworms killed than did dogs that were sham operated and treated with thiacetarsamide or sham operated and untreated. There were no significant differences in blood arsenic (thiacetarsamide) concentrations 2 minutes after injection between hepatectomized and nonhepatectomized groups. More male heartworms were killed than were female worms in the thiacetarsamide-treated groups. Indocyanine green half-life was longer (12.43 minutes) in the hepatectomized group than it was in the nonhepatectomized sham-operated groups (5.09 and 4.94 minutes). Indocyanine green clearance rate was lower in the hepatectomized group (0.54 ml/min/kg) than that in the nonhepatectomized groups (1.36 and 1.56 ml/min/kg). A parallel seemed to exist between ICG and thiacetarsamide removal from the blood by the liver. This parallel also was suggested in the higher worm arsenic (thiacetarsamide) concentrations for the hepatectomized group vs that for nonhepatectomized groups. Apparently, the slower the removal of thiacetarsamide from the blood by the liver, the higher the worm arsenic level and, consequently, the higher the worm kill.     

Emory milkvetch (Astragalus emoryanus var emoryanus) poisoning in chicks, sheep, and cattle.

A severe outbreak of Emory milkvetch poisoning in cattle and sheep occurred near Roswell, New Mexico, in the spring of 1975. Mortality averaged 2% to 3% and morbidity averaged 15% to 20%. Emory milkvetch collected from the infested area contained miserotoxin measured as 5 to 9 mg of NO2/g of plant (dry weight). Chicks fed extracts of Emory milkvetch showed toxic signs when fed one dose as 300 mg of NO2/kg of body weight, and died within 5 to 8 hours when fed milkvetch as 400 mg of NO2/kg. A sheep fed Emory milkvetch for 7 days in the form of 38 mg of NO2/kg/day developed signs of nitro poisoning on the 7th day. Cattle were poisoned or died when fed Emory milkvetch as 12 to 20 mg of NO2/ig for several days. The toxic signs observed in the field and under experimental conditions were similar.     

Homeopathic prophylaxis in dairy cows on an organic farm part 1--fertility

The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of different prophylactically applied homeopathic compounds on health and fertility during the periparturient period on an organic dairy farm. In a randomised double blinded study 146 dairy cows were enrolled in two treatment groups.The average milk yield was about 5100 kg per cow per lactation. The treatment group received the homeopathic compounds Carduus comp. and Coenzyme comp. at drying off, Traumeel on the day of calving, Lachesis comp. on day 7 post partum (p.p.) and Carduus comp. and Coenzyme comp. on day 14 days p.p. The control group followed the same protocol with a placebo (physiological saline solution). Each drug was administered subcutaneously in a dosage of 5 ml. At drying off, the day of calving and in weekly intervals until day 35 p.p. clinical examinations as well as blood sampling were performed. The effect of treatment was measured by clinical parameters, reproductive performance and serum profiles (Ca, P, AST, Urea, Bilirubin). Data of reproductive performance (days to first service, days open, conception rate) were compared between treatment groups and to those in the previous lactation. There was no significant difference between both treatment groups. Cows of the treatment group had an earlier onset of cyclic activity, especially when milk yield was considered as an influencing factor (82% vs. 57%, P < 0,05). In contrast the cows of the treatment group had a significant lower submission rate. The prophylactic treatment of all cows did not have an effect in general, but in cows with increased milk yield, especially in the current lactation. The reproductive performance in the previous lactation did not have any effects on the success of the homeopathic treatment. Reproductive performance in the herd could be enhanced slightly compared to the previous lactation.     

Evaluation of Safety of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SSY1

In order to determine the safety of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SSY1, we carried out the acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, bacterial translocation, product of metabolism and drug susceptibility test. Acute toxicity test in high dose groups (1.30×10¹⁰ CFU/mL), middle dose group(0.90×10¹⁰ CFU/mL), low dose group (0.65×10¹⁰ CFU/mL) and normal saline control group. After the acute toxicity test, the mice were sacrificed 14 days after the observation. Chronic toxicity test of each group was administered once a day for 30 d, chronic toxicity test in high dose groups (0.65×10¹⁰ CFU/mL), middle dose group (0.65×10⁹ CFU/mL), low dose group (0.65×10⁸ CFU/mL) and normal saline control group. The results showed that all mice were without exception phenomenon, the spirit, appetite, behavior and feces and so on, no pathological changes were found on the acute toxicity test. Chronic toxicity test of the mice were no abnormal clinical changes, and there were no pathological changes. Body weight and feed utilization rate of mice, hematology, blood biochemistry indexes and viscera coefficient difference were not significant (P>0.05);Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SSY1 strain did not occur translocation in mice, amino acid decarboxylase and indole test were negative, among the 24 kinds of commonly used drugs, the strains were sensitive to 23 kinds of drugs except the cillimycin. This experiment proved that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SSY1 had good security.     

解淀粉芽孢杆菌SSY1株的安全性试验

为评估1株产纤维素酶的解淀粉芽孢杆菌SSY1株的安全性,本试验对其进行了急性毒性、慢性毒性、细菌易位、代谢产物及药敏等安全性试验。急性毒性试验分为高剂量组（1.30×10¹⁰ CFU/mL）、中剂量组（0.90×10¹⁰ CFU/mL）、低剂量组（0.65×10¹⁰ CFU/mL）和生理盐水对照组,一次性灌服后观察14 d,处死存活小鼠,剖检。慢性毒性试验分为高剂量组（0.65×10¹⁰ CFU/mL）、中剂量组（0.65×10⁹ CFU/mL）、低剂量组（0.65×10⁸ CFU/mL）和生理盐水对照组,各组灌服1次/d,连续灌服30 d。结果表明,急性毒性试验小鼠的精神、食欲、行为、粪便等均未见异常,试验鼠全部存活,剖检未见病理变化;慢性毒性试验小鼠均无异常临床变化,剖检小鼠也未见病变,高、中、低剂量组及对照组间小鼠增重、饲料利用率、血液学指标、血液生化指标及脏器系数均差异不显著（P>0.05）;解淀粉芽孢杆菌SSY1菌株在小鼠体内未发生易位,氨基脱羧酶、吲哚试验均为阴性,在测定的24种常用药物中,除林可霉素耐药外,菌株对其余23种药物均敏感。试验证实,解淀粉芽孢杆菌SSY1株的安全性良好。     

芩术安胎散的毒性和临床安全性试验研究

试验通过对芩术安胎散的急性毒性、亚慢性毒性和临床安全性进行研究,为芩术安胎散对家猫先兆性流产的预防与治疗提供参考。急性毒性试验：制备芩术安胎散药液,取6周龄健康昆明小白鼠60只,随机分为5组,每组12只,第1~4组的给药剂量分别为6 000、4 800、3 840和3 072 mg/kg,对照组给予等量纯净水,10 d内观察有无中毒和死亡,计算半数致死量（LD₅₀）;另取6周龄健康昆明小白鼠20只,随机分为2组：试验组给予2.0 g/mL芩术安胎散药液,18 h内灌服3次,每次0.8 mL,对照组给予等量纯净水,给药后饲养7 d,计算最大耐受量（MTD）。亚慢性毒性试验：24只7周龄SD雌性大鼠随机均分为高、中、低剂量组和对照组,在30 d内,每日分别给予4 800、2 400和1 200 mg/kg芩术安胎散,对照组以等量纯净水进行灌胃,每日观察和记录各组大鼠的精神状态、有无中毒症状和死亡;第31天对各组大鼠称重、采血,进行血液学检测,剖检各组大鼠,观察主要脏器有无病变并制作病理切片。临床安全性试验：选取2~5岁健康雌性家猫20只,适应性饲养10 d,随机分组,每组5只,分别为低剂量组（1倍临床推荐剂量：1.15 g/kg）、中剂量组（3倍临床推荐剂量：3.45 g/kg）、高剂量组（5倍临床推荐剂量：5.75 g/kg）及空白对照组,将药物置于胶囊内,口服给药,空白对照组给予空胶囊,每日1次,连续给药7 d,每日观察各组家猫食欲、精神状态及排便情况,于第8天对各组家猫进行静脉采血,检测血常规和血液生化指标。结果显示,急性毒性试验无小鼠死亡,LD₅₀>6 000 mg/kg;小鼠对芩术安胎散的最大耐受量为240 g/kg,表明该受试药物无明显毒性。在亚慢性毒性试验中,各组大鼠的生长发育情况、血常规指标、脏器系数与对照组相比均无显著差异（P>0.05）;高、中剂量组与低剂量组、对照组相比血清总胆固醇含量显著下调（P<0.05）,除此之外的生化指标均无显著差异（P>0.05）。病理剖检和组织切片观察结果显示,高剂量组大鼠主要组织器官与对照组相比无明显异常。在临床安全性试验中,不同剂量组家猫精神状态、被毛光泽度、粪便情况均正常,血液学指标与对照组相比差异均不显著（P>0.05）。本试验结果表明,中药芩术安胎散无明显毒性,家猫按临床推荐剂量使用是安全的。     

Comparison of homeopathy, placebo and antibiotic treatment of clinical mastitis in dairy cows - methodological issues and results from a randomized-clinical trial

Based on the widespread use of homeopathy in treatment of animal disease and the poor documentation of its possible effects and consequences, a clinical trial was carried out in order to evaluate the efficacy of homeopathy in treatment of clinical mastitis in dairy cows and a design for clinical studies on homeopathic treatment, taking into account the guidelines for randomized-clinical trials (RCT) as well as the basic principles of homeopathy. A three-armed, stratified, semi-crossover design comparing homeopathy, placebo and a standardized antibiotic treatment was used. Fifty-seven dairy cows were included. Evaluation was made by two score scales, with score I measuring acute symptoms and score II measuring chronic symptoms, and by recording the frequencies of responders to treatment based on four different responder definitions. Significant reductions in mastitis signs were observed in all treatment groups. Homeopathic treatment was not statistically different from either placebo or antibiotic treatment at day 7 (P = 0.56, P = 0.09) or at day 28 (P = 0.07, P = 0.35). The antibiotic treatment was significantly better than placebo measured by the reduction in score I (P < 0.01). Two-thirds of the cases both in the homeopathy and placebo groups responded clinically within 7 days. The outcome measured by frequencies of responders at day 28 was poor in all treatment groups. Evidence of efficacy of homeopathic treatment beyond placebo was not found in this study, but the design can be useful in subsequent larger trials on individualized homeopathic treatment.     

蟛蜞菊对小白鼠的急性毒性试验

为全面评定蟛蜞菊的安全性,在进行蟛蜞菊对肉兔的慢性毒性试验的基础上,本试验采用灌胃法,通过对小白鼠的脏器系数比较及组织病理学观察,测定了蟛蜞菊对小白鼠的急性毒性作用。试验结果如下：①试验结束后,对照组和试验组小白鼠都无死亡;②宰杀的试验组小白鼠的各脏器无明显肉眼可见剖检病变;③试验组小白鼠的各脏器系数与对照组的差异不显著（P>0.05）;④试验组小白鼠肝脏的组织形态发生轻微变化,其他脏器正常。研究结果表明,蟛蜞菊可安全用于动物饲料。     

Arsenic concentrations in tissues and body fluids of dogs on chronic low-level dietary sodium arsenite.

Twenty-four female Beagle dogs, 7-8 months old, were assigned to 4 groups. Control, low-dosage, medium-dosage, and high-dosage groups were offered 0, 1, 2, and 4 mg of sodium arsenite per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg/day), respectively, in their feed (equivalent to 0.0, 33.4, 66.7, and 133.4 micrograms/g in feed). On day 59, the dosage was doubled for the rest of the experiment, which ended on day 183. In general, arsenic concentrations in tissues and body fluids reflected arsenic levels in feed. Arsenic caused a dose-related decrease in food intake. Statistically significant differences in blood, liver, and kidney arsenic were detected, in most cases, between the 2 higher dosage groups and controls. The greatest differences in arsenic concentrations between groups were present in urine and hair. Results indicate that urine and hair would be the most useful specimens for chemical analysis when attempting to confirm low-level dietary inorganic arsenic exposure or poisoning.     

鸦胆子苦木素对小鼠血清胆碱酯酶和总胆红素的影响

为了探讨鸦胆子提取物苦木素的毒性,实验以小白鼠为研究对象,对血清中胆碱酯酶活性和总胆红素含量进行了测定。70只健康昆明系雌性小白鼠随机分为1个空白对照组和6个药物组,药物组分别以1.25、1.80、2.80、4.00、6.00、8.50 g/kg灌胃,在第7天和第14天分别进行采血,分离血清,测定血清胆碱酯酶活性和总胆红素含量。结果鸦胆子苦木素类提取物具有抑制小鼠血清胆碱酯酶活性的作用,与空白组相比差异显著（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）,并能使血清中总胆红素升高（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）,对两种酶的抑制与促生作用,第14天较第7天明显增强（P〈0.01）。实验表明鸦胆子苦木素对动物机体有一定的毒性作用,并随着浓度的增加而加强,同时呈现出一定的时效性。     

Evaluation of the heat‐killed and dried cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis against villous atrophy in early‐weaned mice and pigs

Early weaning induces villous atrophy in the small intestine (SI) of piglets. Oral administration of live lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can improve villous shortening. In this study, we evaluated the oral administration of a heat‐killed and dried cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis (a LAB) strain EC‐12 against villous atrophy in early‐weaned mice (Experiment 1) and pigs (Experiments 2 and 3). Twelve 16‐days‐old mice were divided into two groups in Experiment 1: gavage of EC‐12 (10 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day), or control. On day 21, SI was collected. Eighteen 21‐day‐old pigs were divided into two groups in Experiment 2: gavage of EC‐12 (10 mg/kg BW/day), or control. After 10 days, the villous height of jejunum was measured. Six 21‐day‐old pigs were divided into two groups in Experiment 3: the basal diet supplemented with EC‐12 at 0.05%‐fed group, or the basal diet‐fed group. After 10 days, the villous height of jejunum was measured. The villous heights in SI were significantly higher by EC‐12 administration in all experiments. EC‐12 successfully improved the villous atrophy in the early‐weaned mice and pigs when EC‐12 was administered orally.