How to administer Chinese herbal medicine to dogs

Hi,
I was wondering what is the best way to give Chinese medicines to dogs, do I put them in his food or give it before or after meals?  The directions for humans is take 1/2 hour before or 1 hour after meals. They would have to be mixed in food anyway because I wouldn't able to make him take it.  

Thanks.

[ginger899]

I guess the medicine was prescribed by a holistic (Herbal Vet)? Did they suggest how to administer it? Could you call them and ask for advice?
If they weren't prescribed, I don't mean to sound "know-it-all" (because I don't) -but many herbs are bad news for dogs, and some that are fine for humans can be actually toxic for dogs. So be very careful.

But if they taste bitter, you could try mixing them with something fairly strong-tasting like canned sardines (that would have to be an "entree" before dinner!) or perhaps in a liquid like chicken broth. Some dogs don't mind a bitter taste anyway which is quite surprising. My dog likes the taste of Echinacea, if ever she has to have a dose.

If they are alcohol-based tinctures, it might be best to put the medicine dose in a little boiling water first, and let the alcohol evaporate off, and let it cool befor giving it to him.

[skydnsr]

I agree with ginger899, you can't assume that what is safe for a human is safe for a dog.  I do give a few carefully chosen traditional Chinese remedies to my own dog, from time to time.  When I do, I use them in tablet form, and I put them inside a ball of food that the dog will gulp down without chewing it.

[shochat]

I got one of them from Dr. Marty Goldstein's book, unfortunately my vet doesn't know about Chinese herbal medicines, only acupuncture.  The two remedies are absolutely safe, researched on the web and one of them was sold at the only natural pet store, the other was recommended by med help expert.  I just wanted to find out whether I crush the tablets and put it in his breakfast/dinner or whether he should take it separately in a little bit of food before or after dinner.  

I was putting them in his food but started wondering if the efficacy of the chinese herbal medicines are reduced when consumed with a large quantity of food.

[skydnsr]

It sounds like you checked out that what you are giving is safe.  

As far as whether the medicine's efficiacy is diminished by giving it with food, I would just observe what happens and see.  I have been to a TCM practitioner myself for years, and what I have been told is that when Chinese medicine is taken under non-optimal conditions, it might take longer (more days or weeks) for it to work.  It's not that it won't work, but you might need to take the medicine for a longer period of time.  To know what is optimal for a specific remedy, you will have to ask a practioner who is familiar with that remedy.

Personally, I do what's convenient, and then I assess the results.  In my expeience, Chinese medicine is very practical.  You try something and see how it works out, then adjust.

I think it also depends on the purpose of the medication.  If you are giving it to improve digestion, for instance, it might be better to give it with a meal.  Different Chinese medicines have different dosing regimens, just like different Western medicines do.  But I have always found that flexibility is possible, also.

So, I have two answers.  Ask a practitioner's advice about how to give the specific remedy, and see for yourself what works out best in terms of both convenience and efficacy.  IMO, even after you get good advice, it's not necessarily a hard and fast thing.  The only thing that is hard and fast that I know of is not to continue giving something that makes the patient worse.

[ginger899]

You know what I do with my dog if she has to take a pill? It's easy because she's quite greedy and wolfs things down. I wrap the tablet whole in a small piece of wholemeal bread, throw it at her, and it's gone down in a second! I do that with her Glucosamine tablet she takes every day. It helps if there are two pieces of bread, so she has her eyes on the second piece while the first one with pill, slips down!
You could use cheese, or a bit of squishy meat like sausagemeat instead of bread.
I am sure that small amount of food with the tablet won't make any difference to its effectiveness,

[shochat]

The Chinese medicine I was concerned about is called Si Miao San which was recommended by Dr. Cheng, my dog has early symptoms of Cushing's.  The human direction is to take it 1 hour before or 30 min. after meals, so from your experience as a TCM practitioner, do you think that giving it to him 30 min. before or 15 min. after meals sounds reasonable.  I haven't had a response from Dr. Cheng on the forum since her initial response.  I've researched on the web but haven't found any information on how to give this remedy to a dog, just that dogs have taken it with great results.

Thanks.

[skydnsr]

Just for my personal opinion, I think it should be fine to do it that way.  I have often modifed my own regimen without incurring any problems.  For instance, my Chinese doctor used to instruct me to take 3 pills, 3x per day.  I don't like to have to take medicine three times a day, so I always took four pills, twice a day.  It worked fine for me.

[ginger899]

I don't think the timing will be terribly crucial so long as it's a short time before meals, or a short time after. And the little treat you may have to "wrap" the pill in won't do any damage. Administering herbal medicines, so long as they're taken regularly enough, isn't as strict as using Homeopathic medicines. (With Homeopathic tablets, you're not supposed to eat certain foods while you take them, not supposed to store them near strong tasting foods, not supposed to handle them....etc, and the dosing is different)

[shochat]

Thanks. Probably better to give it 10 min. after meals since his stomach is so sensitive.