Chinese Herbal Medicine For Dogs And Cats – An Introduction

Find out how Chinese herbal medicine works to improve your animal companion’s health and help treat a range of conditions. 

Both people and animals have long benefited from Chinese herbs, which can help treat a variety of health issues. Here’s an introduction to Chinese herbal medicine for dogs and cats. We’ll also look at how this complex but effective approach works. 

Herbal medicine is an ancient modality 

The use of medicinal herbs dates back thousands of years. In fact, herbs are considered one of the first medicines. Animals used plants as a primary source of healing long before humans did. They have an instinctive knowledge of which plants are safe and which are harmful.  

As humans evolved, they observed their animal counterparts to better understand which plants would treat their ailments. Using these observations, ancient Chinese practitioners developed a new form of medicine. It’s known today as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), along with Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) for our animal companions.  

The first Chinese herbal book was known as the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Book of Medical Herbs). It was compiled between 100 BC and 100 AD and contains information on 365 medicinal herbs. Throughout the centuries, scientific validation solidified the importance of herbal medicine in veterinary practice. 

The foundation of Chinese herbal medicine: TCVM pattern diagnosis

Before understanding Chinese herbal medicine, you must first have a basic knowledge of TCVM. On the surface, it seems quite simple. If something is hot, cool it off; if a deficiency occurs, strengthen or tonify it. In reality, however, TCVM is a very intricate and precise form of medicine.

At the core of TCVM is the concept of pattern diagnosis. To achieve a proper pattern diagnosis the questions of “where” and “what” must be answered. 

• The “where” uses the Five Elements theory (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Each element has specific characteristics and organ systems associated with it. The Five Elements theory helps determine the location of disharmony in the body. 

• The “what” uses the Eight Principles of TCVM, including the Yin/Yang theory, the principles of Excess and Deficiency, Hot and Cold signs, and the Six Exogenous Pathogens to determine the specific cause of the disharmony.

To successfully treat a dog or cat’s disharmony, the TCVM practitioner uses a detailed history along with specific diagnostic techniques. These include examining tongue color, feeling pulse quality, evaluating overall body appearance and temperature, and more. This helps the practitioner determine the pathology and what the pattern diagnosis is.

The characteristics of Chinese herbs

Understanding the properties and nature of Chinese herbal medicine allows the TCVM practitioner to prescribe the appropriate herbals. This allows for more specific treatment of disease processes within the body. 

Herbal properties are based on how the herbs interact with the body, and are characterized by their energy or temperature, taste, and direction of influence within the body.

When categorizing herbals by energy or temperature, they are placed into five groups: Cold, Cool, Neutral, Warm, and Hot. These fall along a natural continuum, which means Hot herbs are stronger than Warm herbs. Meanwhile, cold herbs are stronger and have a greater cooling energy than Cool herbs.

1. Cold herbs produce anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and sedative actions.
2. Cool herbs help reduce fevers, aid in detoxification, lower blood pressure, and soothe nerves.  
3. Neutral herbs have a gentler effect and tend to help mediate the other herbs. They are often considered safer for extended periods of use. 
4. Warm herbs can promote circulation and help alleviate chills. 
5. Hot herbs tend to be used to promote and improve organ function and help stimulate and strengthen deficiencies.

Taste is determined by the herb’s clinical effect, and the sensation it produces on the tongue. The blend of phytochemicals in any given herbal specimen also influences taste. The tastes associated with Chinese herbs are Sour, Bitter, Sweet, Pungent, and Salty.

1. Sour herbs tend to be astringent. They help contract flaccid tissues, stop abnormal secretions or discharges, promote digestive enzyme secretion and liver function, and alter blood conditions.  
2. Bitter herbs have anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, detoxifying, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic effects. 
3. Sweet herbs help tonify Qi or Yang, nourish Blood or Yin, and soothe the Liver. They soothe acute diseases and regulate internal organ functions.  
4. Pungent herbs stimulate blood circulation and distribute energy from the interior to the surface of the body. 
5. Salty herbs are diuretic and can also help soften hard masses and resolve bumps. They have also been known to relieve constipation.

Chinese herbal formulas and their components

Ancient Chinese healers often used single herbs to treat disease conditions. Although this produced wonderful results, they discovered that combining herbs created a synergistic effect, allowing for more powerful and specific treatments.

A Chinese herbal formula will often contain different quantities of several individual herbs. These herbs work together under the principles of TCM/TCVM. They balance disharmony within the body and treat the disease process. 

A typical Chinese herbal formula may contain between four to 15 herbs. Each herb plays a key role within the formula. The four roles include the King (Emperor), Minister, Adjunct (Assistant), and the Messenger (Servant or Transporter). (See table on page xx for details.

Chinese herbs – forms and dosing 

Chinese herbs are available in powder, capsules, decoction, patent pill and extract granules, paste, and herbal wines/alcohol tinctures. 

The species of the animal, pattern diagnosis, and severity of the disorder, determine dosing. The herbal formulation used, and its product specifications, also play a part. In general, the dosing for dogs and cats is 0.5 to 1 gram per ten to 20 pounds of body weight.

Note: Before giving any herbal formula to your dog or cat, it’s very important to work with a holistic or integrative veterinarian who is knowledgeable and experienced in TCVM and Chinese herbal medicine.

Common conditions treated with Chinese herbs

Almost all conditions can be treated with Chinese herbal medicine. A few of the most common include arthritic and orthopedic conditions, geriatric problems, internal medicine conditions, and anxiety/ behavioral issues.

Herbal formulas can be used on their own or combined with conventional treatments. Additional TCVM treatments such as acupuncture can help manage disharmonies in the body. These are frequently used to quickly provide relief and balance in the body. Chinese herbal medicine is often used to manage conditions that could take longer to correct.

Chinese herbal medicine for dogs and cats is a modality with many facets. When used at the right dosing for treating a properly diagnosed TCVM pattern, it can be invaluable for correcting disharmonies that arise in your dog or cat.

Chinese vs. Western herbs

Many of the same herbs are used in both Chinese and Western modalities. One of the main differences is how they are used. 

• Western herbs are usually used singly or in small combinations to help treat specific conditions from a broader, more generalized approach. 
• Chinese herbs can be used singly but are more often utilized as a synergistic mixture of up to15 herbs. Practitioners use them within the TCVM framework to provide a more specific treatment protocol. This protocol focuses on pattern diagnosis and correcting disharmonies in the body.

How safe are Chinese herbs?

In general, when using the proper pattern diagnosis and a reputably sourced herbal at the proper dosing, Chinese herbal medicine can be very safe and effective. Diarrhea and vomiting are the most common side effects, with diarrhea reported most frequently. To ensure safety and optimal results, work with a veterinarian well-versed in TCVM.

Key roles of individual herbs in Chinese herbal formulas

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