Question from Linda: I am wondering if you are able to tell me if it would be a problem to treat a horse with major mouth infection with Colloidal Silver? Is this product toxic to horses?
| NEVER INJECT IT. NEVER USE IT WITH HORSES who have LIVER PROBLEMS. Use topically or orally ONLY.
Silver (colloidal silver) is not a new remedy, in fact it was used in the Middle Ages as a natural broad-spectrum antibiotic that kills over 650 types of disease causing bacteria (& many viruses). It does not produce resistant strains of bacteria (like antibiotics are known to do). Metallic silver can?t be used, but the colloidal is absorbed & used to fight bacteria & viral infection. It consists of a minute particle of silver (12-15 atoms of silver in each particle) suspended in deionized water. It goes through a simple electrolytic process. It is odorless & tasteless.The gist is these particles are said to interfere with the respiration of the pathogens & therefore they cannot survive if colloidal is present. It can be sprayed to sterilize the stable & barn (even hospitals).
If I use it I only use it as a last resort. Many people swear by it, but I am not as comfortable because the FDA doesn't recognize it as safe & effective-although many people disagree. There are really no officially published reports of testing; and there is no clear-cut answer concerning toxic possibilities. It is definitely effective against some bacteria, viruses & fungi, but my biggest concern is silver accumulates in the tissues of you horse & doesn't leave! This build up of metal is a contributing factor to heavy metal toxicity which can occur from animals who are exposed to excess metals in water& the environment. There are reports of neurological problems after long-term use.
If a horse won?t respond to other treatments & the animal does respond to the colloidal silver then try it for as short a time as possible; trying to complete treatment in 3 weeks. (The liver is the organ most adversely affected (stressed) by its use because the liver must filter & also store the silver.) I?m not saying don?t use it, but I am saying if you choose to, proceed with caution; no more than 1-3 teaspoons /day, depending on the size of the horse.
Other options: You can mix one part colloidal with 3 parts calendula (in aloe gel) & apply twice a day; or in aloe liquid & spray for mouth or hoof thrush.
ORGANIC ALOE VERA
I believe, first hand -however- in organic aloe vera. It definitely has no build up nor side effects & can be fairly easy to work with the mouth area.
I would add it (the liquid) to the water source (daily)-if its hard to keep clean or would be wasted you can add 2-4 oz over daily feed. I would also "PACK" a gum or mouth abcess with the gel version. It stays in place better, but horses will let stuff roll out if they're picky. The Georges brand doesn't have an odor & tastes like water so you won't get the normal raised upper lip "whats that smell" response!
For me, this is a FIRST CHOICE MUST HAVE/MUST USE!!! (Keep a jar in the barn at all times!)It comes in a wide mouth plastic jar. (Use a clean spatula or gloved hand to avoid contamination). Use it topically & use it around the gum area, in the mouth & anywhere. Continue to use it until the area clears up. Also you can spray (or feed) the liquid. I always have a gallon around to add to feed for a colic prone horse, but also to rinse wounds. 1-800-232-2563 Warren Labs/Georges Aloe if you can?t find it in the Health Food Store. Aloe Vera Gel (they make a Horse Magic brand aloe gel, but for some reason they charge more under that label)
GARLIC
This is a feed staple for me. It is also a MUST USE during crisis or low immune times. I feed a bulb of garlic almost every day to all of my horses. (Not just a section, but the whole bulb). I can do this because I grow it, otherwise it would not be cost effective. (If anyone grows it & can give you a few bulbs it?s easy to get started by your barn & you will have more every year after.) If you have easy inexpensive access to garlic feed it regularly; if not include it in your horses diet as long as your budget allows. It is proven to boost the immune system which is necessary during this healing time & also to help to keep infection at bay. In Japan garlic is BIG BUSINESS. A pharmaceutical company (whose only business is garlic) has done lots of research which links it to many many health providing benefits especially immune, antiviral, anti fungal etc.
CALENDULA
You might consider calendula tea as part of your regime. Prepare it, let it cool, then pour it over feed. The horse must consume it all in an hour or it will spoil the feed.
As a general purpose antiseptic, calendula allows the body to gently expel potential infectious agents. The idea is to seal the small blood vessels so the wound can heal itself from the inside out. You can add the organic aloe to the calendula & also use it as a mouth wash & also spray the area. You can add calendula to the gel & use it as a salve (suitable for inside the mouth-or eaten & swallowed as well).
Without knowing what the mouth issue is I hesitate to say anything else. Tell me more. I am not saying I would never use colodials-I just use them with great caution. I don't like anything that can accrue in the body.
I hope something I have mentioned will help you make a good decision for your specific situation. I am clearly into "natural", but NEVER hesitate conventional means to assist a problem. Make sure you have access to a good vet nearby. Drugs are usually faster & in critical situations can mean the difference in life or death. DO NOT let the situation get away from you. If given "time" to heal (without too much stress or risk), natural is a perfect solution to rid the problem whereas drugs often "mask" the problem (meaning solve it at the moment, but not get rid of it for good.)
Topical Tea Tree is EXCELLENT as well. It may be best diluted, as it can be harsh on some sensitive skin types.
The above is for informational purposes ONLY. Nothing said here is meant to prescribe or supersede medical advise from your veterinarian.