Supplement Series – Intro

October 6, 2015

Due to personal interest and the ever-increasing demand from our clients, I am starting a blog series about the use of supplements in veterinary medicine.  Supplements can be a useful short-term therapy for a variety of ailments as well as a long term measure for health and well-being. I am dividing the series into different disorders such as skin disease, GI disease, and even cancer.

Before we dive in though, I would like to comment on how to responsibly implement the use of supplements for our pets. As medical professionals, it is our duty to provide our patients with care that has been supported by evidence-based medicine whenever possible. Evidence-based medicine refers to the use of research (clinical trials and studies) to support a medical claim. Some veterinary food and supplement companies have done clinical trials with their products, giving evidence to support their health claims.  However, this level of evidence can be lacking and all we have to rely on are either extrapolations from human medicine or personal anecdotes. With that being said, the use of supplements for your pets should always be done under the supervision of a veterinarian and should be used with realistic expectations.

It is also important that we know how to purchase quality supplements. The supplement industry is not regulated in the same manner as the food or drug industry – a valid reason to be an informed consumer. If you are looking for a supplement, Grand Avenue Veterinary Center should be your first stop. Presently I am evaluating the supplements we carry to ensure we are staying current and to continue offering a strong foundation of reputable products.  If we do not carry a supplement you are searching for or that we have recommended, we can provide you guidance on where to look.

Be on the look-out for my blog on skin supplements in about 2 weeks. I am looking forward to this series!