RESEARCH -- Velvet Antler for Dogs & Cats: Myth or Reality?
By Practicing Veterinarian Dr. Clinton Balock, DVM
[Note: Velvet antler is the primary ingredient in SUPERflex Pet Formula]
I awoke in the middle of the night with a start. It was mid-December and I was sweating. "What in the world are you doing?" I asked myself. You are actually going to try to convince people that eating the antlers of a bull elk is going to make them feel better. I made myself some hot chocolate and sat down in the living room so I wouldn’t wake up the whole house. As I pondered the elk business and the velvet antler industry in particular, I scratched the ears of my old Labrador, Chip. Chip was twelve years old and could barely move. Age and an active life were taking a toll on him. If only I could give him some medication for his deteriorating hips and elbows that would provide him with some relief and not destroy his liver and kidneys.
As a practicing veterinarian, I have watched thousands of dogs, cats and horses suffer from the crippling effects of osteoarthritis. This is a condition of the joints similar to the condition millions of people deal with daily. The production cartilaginous surfaces of the joints begin to erode and wear away. When this occurs, bone begins rubbing on bone and the pain can be excruciating. As this process progresses, the body attempts to heal the insulted joints by sending calcium to repair the damaged bone. These abnormal bone deposits deform the normal joints even more and increase the pain and discomfort of day-to-day activity.
I studied the literature on elk velvet antler and the claims made by people of many countries. As I researched the product, it seemed to me that it could cure most ailments, had no side effects and was perfectly natural. To say I was a doubting Thomas was an understatement. I knew many people in the elk business, and I knew the demand for velvet antler by the Koreans had fueled the fire of a burgeoning new livestock industry. The little voice in my head kept saying, "Ostrich, emus, exotic cattle." Can this product produce the effects
claimed in the literature? Can this product produce any of these effects? What can I do to prove to myself that this is not snake oil or smoke and mirrors?
As I visited with elk breeders on both sides of the Canadian border, it became apparent to me that the antler velvet industry in North America was indeed a lucrative but very fragile business. The industry was totally dependent upon the whims of the Asian market, primarily Korea. A North American market for velvet antler products needed to be developed and encouraged. To satisfy my skepticism, I had to see proof beyond a reasonable doubt that we were promoting a product that had more than a mystical, psychological effect – an effect or effects which could be reproduced in trials around the world.
I scratched Chip’s ears and looked at my old faithful friend. "If this
product could improve Chip's quality of life, it would be tremendous, " I
mused. Also, a dog could not be convinced he was going to feel better. He would either
show and improvement, or he wouldn’t. It seemed very straightforward to me. Animals
could be used to test the efficacy of the product, and the response of the animal to the
treatment regimen could be qualitatively evaluated. Probably not a very scientific
experiment, but certainly one that would produce some answers to the questions I had.
I bounced my idea off of some friends of mine in the industry, and I was strongly encouraged to initiate a study. I talked with several veterinarians and asked if they would like to participate, but I was met with a lot of doubt and skepticism. The veterinary profession was having a difficult time accepting the fact that alternative medicine may have a place among our arsenal of drugs and surgical procedures.
We have a very large mixed animal practice in northwest New Mexico, and we have many animals suffering from arthritis fractures and the ravages of old age. Would the average client be open to trying a radically different form of treatment on their beloved pets? The answer to this question was a resounding yes. People were excited to try a new form of treatment which may increase the quality of life of their animals. They were especially thrilled to know that a lack of response seemed to be the worst that could happen. To date, we have not documented any side effects with the use of this product. In some cases, a blood chemistry profile was established and checked after a period of time on the product, with special attention paid to the kidney and liver function tests.
Animals on trial have ranged from 6 months of age to 19 years of age, both canine and feline. Breeds range from Chihuahua to Newfoundland. Conditions being treated are various bone, ligament and tendon conditions, and various other conditions related to aging.
The effects of elk velvet on Chip were remarkable. After a period of time he moved with much greater ease and could go up and down stairs again, and his appetite and coat improved. Chip’s quality of life improved greatly, and his life was extended for more than a year. Chip was the first of many animals I have watched respond favorably to elk velvet.
Three case studies follow:
POGO
Pogo was a male miniature dachshund with a variety of problems. He was 13 years old
with a chronic, arthritic back and failing kidneys. Pogo had been on a variety of
medications throughout his life, and he had been given the best of care by his owner. In
March of 1998 on a cold, blustery day, Pogo’s owner came into the hospital on the
verge of tears. Her own health was also failing, but she came in to discuss putting Pogo
to sleep. As we talked about his conditions and the medications he was on, it was clear
his prognosis was not good.
"I can’t stand seeing him suffer like this, Doctor. He can barely get out of his bed, and he often drags his hind end. It is very difficult for me to take him outside, and he doesn’t even want his favorite foods."
I listened quietly to a scenario much too familiar to veterinarians who take care of companion animals. Because a pet’s life span is so much shorter than ours, we have to go through the pain of watching it age and die. Often, in the case of elderly clients, their pets are their best friends and faithful companions. I asked Pogo’s owner if she would let us examine Pogo and consider trying another treatment on him. She was reluctant at first to consider prolonging Pogo’s misery, but with tears streaming down her face, she decided she would try one more time. I explained velvet antler to her, and told her about the properties of the medication. I explained that the product is all natural and we know of no serious side effects. I told her that the worst thing that might happen was that we would see no response. I also suggested that we stop all of Pogo’s other medications.
As Pogo was examined, he was found to be thin and to experience pain upon palpation of his back and hips. His temperature, pulse and respiration were within normal ranges. Radiographs showed progressive bony changes in his vertebrae and hips, and calcification of some of his lumbar intervertebral discs. His blood work showed elevated kidney and liver function tests. All in all, Pogo looked very much like many of the geriatric pets we see in our hospital on a regular basis.
Pogo was started on 600 mg of velvet antler daily for two weeks. He was placed on a highly digestible kidney diet and free choice bottled water. The owner was instructed to bring Pogo back in two weeks for a progress report and a re-evaluation.
Eight days after Pogo was started on velvet antler, I heard a loud commotion in the lobby. Standing at the desk was Pogo’s beaming owner. "Doctor!" she exclaimed, "You have to look at Pogo. I can’t believe what I am seeing." She opened the door to the lobby and Pogo came flying in at a dead run. He jumped up on a bench and began barking out the window. I stared in utter amazement at this transformed little animal. A week ago he was ready to die, and now, with his tail wagging furiously, he was acting like a puppy again.
Pogo’s owner took my hand in hers and asked, "How can I ever thank you?" Pogo continued to improve, and his velvet antler dosage was reduced to 300 mg daily. His appetite was back to normal, and his hair coat gained back some of the luster it had lost. His mobility was greatly improved, and his temperament was like the Pogo of old.
Pogo’s owner passed away in the spring of 1999, and Pogo died a short time later. The passing of both was difficult for our staff, but Pogo’s quality of life was extended for a full year, and I am sure they are both in a better place, and Pogo is still barking and wagging his tail.
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