TITLE:
Propolis in Dogs: Clinical Experiences and Perspectives (A Brief Review)
AUTHORS:
Nelly Tovar Betancourt, Lucila García-Contreras, Tonatiuh Alejandro Cruz Sánchez
KEYWORDS:
Dog, Propolis, Uses, Treatments, Perspectives
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine,
Vol.5 No.1,
January
15,
2015
ABSTRACT: In light of the scarcity of novel therapeutic agents that are effective, the pharmaceutical industry has found a newer source of therapeutic compounds in natural products and herbal medicine to address the current health problems in humans and animals. What is particularly promising about these agents is that they produce fewer side effects and are more cost effective than synthetic compounds. This means greater availability of these treatments particularly for less developed countries who can’t afford expensive treatments. The reduced side effects also mean greater patient tolerance and increased compliance thereby yielding maximal therapeutic effect without negatively impacting on quality of life. Among the natural products more frequently employed nowadays is propolis, a resin that is routinely collected by bees (Apis mellifera). Propolis contains flavonoids, caffeic acid esters and diterpenic acids, which provide the bactericidal, antiviral and antifungal properties to this product. The use of propolis to address a variety of conditions in small animal species is beginning to play an important role in the currently available treatments. Its use appears to be an effective treatment with no side effects at low cost. This paper reviews the different applications of this compound to treat diseases in dogs.