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  Discussion on Digestive Health & Aloe Vera
Author Message
Member:
rgwromeo

Posted on Saturday, Nov 6, 2010 - 10:32 pm:

Has any one used aloe vera to promote good digestive health in a senior horse?

If you have, what brand and form (liquid, etc.)? What were the results?

I have a senior horse on butte. I am looking for a natural way to protect his stomach.

I have found articles that say aloe vera is a good for digestive health.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Saturday, Nov 6, 2010 - 11:02 pm:

Don't know about horses, but my sister-in-law uses it to aid with stomach issues and she feels it helps a lot.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Sunday, Nov 7, 2010 - 7:31 am:

I've found the liquid form to be great for stomach aches, acid indigestion and it has a laxative effect if you take enough. If you could get your horse to take say 2 T daily, I would think it would be of help. Just not sure how you would get a horse to eat it? If you are already feeding some kind of mash, it might work to mix it in there.

I think it comes in different flavors but then you have added junk to a natural product.
Member:
frances

Posted on Sunday, Nov 7, 2010 - 9:12 am:

I know some people who give aloe vera liquid to their horses, and they seem very pleased with it.

I'll ask them about the brand, and the amount to give - but it won't be till Tuesday.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 7, 2010 - 4:26 pm:

In the only GI condition of horses that I can find where aloe was tested, Equine Grass Sickness, no benefit was found. There is evidence in humans that it can be beneficial for some GI conditions but then there is this report from earlier this year:
J Korean Med Sci. 2010 Mar;25(3):492-5.
Aloe-induced toxic hepatitis.

Yang HN, Kim DJ, Kim YM, Kim BH, Sohn KM, Choi MJ, Choi YH.
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea.

Abstract
Aloe has been widely used in phytomedicine. Phytomedicine describes aloe as a herb which has anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-aging effects. In recent years several cases of aloe-induced hepatotoxicity were reported. But its pharmacokinetics and toxicity are poorly described in the literature. Here we report three cases with aloe-induced toxic hepatitis. A 57-yr-old woman, a 62-yr-old woman and a 55-yr-old woman were admitted to the hospital for acute hepatitis. They had taken aloe preparation for months. Their clinical manifestation, laboratory findings and histologic findings met diagnostic criteria (RUCAM scale) of toxic hepatitis. Upon discontinuation of the oral aloe preparations, liver enzymes returned to normal level. Aloe should be considered as a causative agent in hepatotoxicity.


However there is evidence that aloe vera may have some beneficial effects in animals:
Exp Parasitol. 2010 Aug 17.
Protective effects of Aloe vera-based diets in Eimeria maxima-infected broiler chickens.
Yim D, Kang SS, Kim DW, Kim SH, Lillehoj HS, Min W.

College of Veterinary Medicine & Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Institute of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-751, Republic of Korea.

Abstract
Aloes have been widely used for a broad range of pharmacological activities, including parasitic problems. Avian coccidiosis is the most costly and wide-spread parasitic disease in the poultry industry, and has been mainly controlled by the use of chemotherapeutic agents. Due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains, alternative control strategies are needed. In this study, the protective effects of Aloe vera-based diets were assessed in broiler chickens following oral infection with Eimeria maxima. Chickens were fed a regular diet supplemented with ground Aloe vera throughout the duration of the experiment beginning 2days prior to infection with 1x10(4) sporulated oocysts of E. maxima. No significant differences were found in body weight gain or loss between the Aloe vera-supplemented and unsupplemented groups with or without E. maxima infections. Fecal oocyst shedding decreased significantly (p<0.05) in all of the treatment groups that were supplemented with Aloe vera as compared to the unsupplemented group. Furthermore, the Aloe vera-supplemented group showed significantly fewer intestinal lesions (p<0.05) than the unsupplemented group following infection. The findings of this study suggest that Aloe vera could be used an alternative treatment for controlling avian coccidiosis.
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Sunday, Nov 7, 2010 - 5:35 pm:

Thanks, Dr. O,

Important to know.

See entries 1 and 3 at the Merck Veterinary site:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/htm/bc/ttox03.htm
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Monday, Nov 8, 2010 - 7:07 am:

That's a bit scary, aye?

Of course from another viewpoint we should consider than any drug or food in some cases, that we ingest, we are always weighing the good benefits from the possible harmful side affects. And IMO, no "supplement" should be taken daily without a break no matter what benefits we are experiencing.

Another thing that is always a concern about herbals and anything considered a natural tonic is if the product is pure and prepared correctly before sale to unsuspecting customers. It's a buyer beware situation at it's worst I think.

Sorry to go on such a rant here but I researched many products over 20 years and still have an avid interest in supplements and all the "cure all tonics" but I've learned to be very cautious.

Would I be concerned giving Aloe to protect from Bute? No, but I wouldn't give it consistently. And if possible I'd take a break from the Bute too.
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Monday, Nov 8, 2010 - 12:08 pm:

Good observations, Angie.

As a "natural" way to help protect a horse's stomach when on Bute, I had great luck using a daily dose of Dynamite's Miracle Clay when I had one laid up with laminitis who developed stomach pain from the Bute.

My Veterinarian said that it was okay to use this product for this purpose but to have at least six hours between giving it and the Bute as the Bute was needed to reduce inflammation and the clay could otherwise have reduced efficacy.
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