An Experiment with Licorice root
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Uzie was experiencing diarrhea last week for about 2 days, (of course on a Thursday and I do not go to the Vet the instant something like this occurs as one or two loose stools are not life threatening and he has ingested sand before) most likely due to the indiscriminate ingestion of sand. I call it 'snow coning' as this is precisely what it looks like. A friend of mine who rescues Dobies, also has noticed this in three of her dogs, there are little holes all over the yard. No amount of 'leave it', or 'no' would work. Total control of the outside world is not an answer, nor is the cage muzzle recommended by the Vet she works with could be the solution. She was given Metronidazole Flagyl for a number of days. I just wanted to wait to see if he cleared up as he had in the past. So, I began working with a disabled veteran, long story-she told me the dogs in Vietnam were given licorice candy to supplement diets when they observed the dogs eating other 'things'. So, my research went many directions, a good 'short' description is below from the included link(do not feed candy to dogs!!) :
My results after three days of reduced kibble (from 1 1/3C per day to 1/2C supplemented with 1 1/2 of DGL licorice tabs crushed or rolled in ground turkey, boiled chicken breast in lieu of the kibble and very watered down dinner bowls with baby oatmeal instead of rice, and a teaspoon of powdered water soluble fiber supplement that I use in my coffee every am. Did the fiber as one would for a horse as in 'sand blast' for the gut) This worked as his stool is normal and solid this am. He had no side effects, never was lethargic, and did not exhibit any mal symptoms. I will say, if this treatment would not have worked, I would have gone to the Vet for a checkup today-of course!!!.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquorice
Liquorice affects the body's endocrine system as it contains isoflavones (phytoestrogens). It might lower the amount of serum testosterone slightly,[18] but whether it affects the amount of free testosterone is unclear. Consuming liquorice may prevent the development of hyperkalemia in persons on hemodialysis.[19] Large doses of glycyrrhizinic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid in liquorice extract can lead to hypokalemia and serious increases in blood pressure, a syndrome known as apparent mineralocorticoid excess. These side effects stem from the inhibition of the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (type 2) and subsequent increase in activity of cortisol on the kidney. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase normally inactivates cortisol in the kidney; thus, liquorice's inhibition of this enzyme makes the concentration of cortisol appear to increase. Cortisol acts at the same receptor as the hormone aldosterone in the kidney and the effects mimic aldosterone excess, although aldosterone remains low or normal during liquorice overdose. To decrease the chances of these serious side effects, deglycyrrhizinated liquorice preparations are available. The disabling of similar enzymes in the gut by glycyrrhizinic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid also causes increased mucus and decreased acid secretion. As it inhibits Helicobacter pylori, it is used as an aid for healing stomach and duodenal ulcers, and in moderate amounts may soothe an upset stomach. Liquorice can be used to treat ileitis, leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease as it is antispasmodic in the bowels.[20] -
I give the deglycyrrhized root kind. It is chewable and I cut it in half and give it to my dog about 1/2 hour before feeding. He does not chew it as I give it to him like a regular pill. I believe the brand is Natural Factors and comes in a bottle of 90 tablets.
Here is the company website for the product: http://naturalfactors.com/products/detail/4463/dgl-licorice-chewable-tablets
Jennifer
