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Cats + Complementary Medicine

  • Coenzyme Q-10 ('CoQ10' or 'ubiquinone') is a fat soluble nutrient, abundant in all tissues in the body. It is a vital component of the mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell.

  • Colostrum is the antibody-rich milk produced from the mother's mammary glands during the first few days of life. It contains a thousands of antibodies (immunoglobulins), lactoferrin, growth hormone, growth factors, white blood cells, enzymes, vitamins and substances that regulate the body's immune response.

  • Enzymes are involved in speeding up biochemical reactions (acting as catalysts) involved in virtually every function in the body, from digestion to tissue repair, and from hormone function to energy production. Vets may prescribe enzymes when they feel a particular body process needs to be supported.

  • Herbal remedies made from the Echinacea plant are very popular and used to support the immune system. It is advisable to use a blend of Echinacea, containing E. purpurea herb and E. angustifolia root since the combination improves availability of the important active ingredients.

  • The herb Ephedra, known in Chinese medicine as Ma Huang, comes from the plant species Ephedra sinica and Ephedra equisetina.

  • Eyebright (Euphrasia rostkoviana formerly officinalis) has been used for centuries for the treatment of conjunctivitis and mild eye irritation in people, hence the name. It has mild antimicrobial (antiseptic), anti-inflammatory and astringent (tightening) properties.

  • Fish oils are derived from coldwater fish, mainly menhaden, salmon, cod, tuna, mackerel and trout. Cod stocks are reducing, so the age-old 'cod liver oil' should be in avoided where possible.

  • Also called linseed oil, flax seed oil is derived from the crushed seeds of the flax plant (Linium usitatissimum) and has been proposed as a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to fish oil supplements.

  • Flower essence therapy or flower therapy was developed by a human doctor, Edward Bach, during the 1930's. During his years in practice Dr. Bach developed the belief that people could be grouped based upon their emotional states, and that these emotions were the root cause of many of their diseases.

  • Garlic, the bulb of the plant Allium sativum, is a well-known herb and popular ingredient for cooking. It is supplied in raw form as the fresh bulb; as a liquid alcohol extract; or in gelatin capsules.