Comparison of Homeopathy, Placebo and Antibiotic Treatment of Clinical Mastitis in Dairy Cows – Methodological Issues and Results from a Randomized‐clinical Trial

Abstract

Based on the widespread use of homeopathy in treatment of animal disease and the poor documentation of its possible effects and consequences, a clinical trial was carried out in order to evaluate the efficacy of homeopathy in treatment of clinical mastitis in dairy cows and a design for clinical studies on homeopathic treatment, taking into account the guidelines for randomized-clinical trials (RCT) as well as the basic principles of homeopathy. A three-armed, stratified, semi-crossover design comparing homeopathy, placebo and a standardized antibiotic treatment was used. Fifty-seven dairy cows were included. Evaluation was made by two score scales, with score I measuring acute symptoms and score II measuring chronic symptoms, and by recording the frequencies of responders to treatment based on four different responder definitions. Significant reductions in mastitis signs were observed in all treatment groups. Homeopathic treatment was not statistically different from either placebo or antibiotic treatment at day 7 (P = 0.56, P = 0.09) or at day 28 (P = 0.07, P = 0.35). The antibiotic treatment was significantly better than placebo measured by the reduction in score I (P < 0.01). Two-thirds of the cases both in the homeopathy and placebo groups responded clinically within 7 days. The outcome measured by frequencies of responders at day 28 was poor in all treatment groups. Evidence of efficacy of homeopathic treatment beyond placebo was not found in this study, but the design can be useful in subsequent larger trials on individualized homeopathic treatment.

Herd health and health management in organic versus conventional dairy herds in Norway

“…Organic farmers use alternative treatments (not involving a veterinarian) to a larger extent than do conventional farmers. In a recent study of Norwegian dairy herds, alternative treatments were found to lack a direct healing effect on mastitis (Hektoen et al, 2004). However, both the self-healing process and the actual effect of supplementary handling measures mean that fewer health disorders are likely to reach the stage where a veterinarian is required.…”

Uso de medicamentos homeopáticos para el tratamiento de la mastitis bovina: Revisión

“…Duas formas de uso de medicamentos são observadas na prática homeopática veterinária, utilizando apenas um princípio ativo (chamado também de homeopatia individual ou clássica) ou medicamentos contendo dois ou mais princípios ativos (chamado de homeopatia complexa ou populacional) (Hektoen et al, 2004, Doehring & Sundrum, 2016, Zafalon et al, 2017a, Zafalon et al, 2017b. Werner et al (2010) relatam que na medicina veterinária, observa-se na maioria dos casos a preferência por utilização de potências ou dinamizações baixas, como DH6 ou DH12.…”

“…Sabe-se que a partir da 12CH não se encontram moléculas do princípio ativo que foi utilizado para preparar o medicamento (Costa et al, 2009, ANVISA, 2010, embora o medicamento continue sendo capaz de causar reações no organismo, inclusive obtendo a melhora das doenças como a mastite. No decorrer do tratamento, os sintomas relevantes podem mudar e, em seguida, correlacionados com os sintomas de outro remédio (Hektoen et al, 2004, Werner et al, 2010 (Searcy et al, 1995, Varshney & Naresh, 2005, Santos & Griebeler, 2006, Martins et al, 2007, Klocke et al, 2010, Werner et al, 2010, Leal & Costa, 2013, Almeida et al, 2015, Zafalon et al, 2017a, Zafalon et al, 2017b. As indicações dos medicamentos citados podem ser encontradas na literatura, Aconitum napellus, por exemplo, é indicado para febres e estados inflamatórios agudos, assim como a Calendula officinalis, que atua como anti-inflamatório e Urtica urens, medicamento utilizado para o aumento da produção de leite (ANVISA, 2010).…”

“…Para tratamento de todo o rebanho, a administração é majoritariamente oral (via água de bebida ou pó, como açúcar e sal mineral); enquanto que para o tratamento individual os remédios homeopáticos podem ser administrados oralmente (via glóbulos, gotas ou pó), ou ainda de forma mais rara, por via subcutânea, injeção intramuscular, tópica (via mucosa vaginal, úbere) ou por injeção intramamária (Almeida et al, 1999, Hektoen et al, 2004 v.12, n.3, a58, p.1-10, Mar., 2018…”

Combating MRSA in Pakistan: An Integrated Drug Therapy Approach

“…After the development of infection, the choice of antibiotics, as efficient and effective remedy is reduced; although they are expensive and possibly show harmful side-effects towards the patient [3]. Recent evidence supports that household pets; such as cats, hens and dogs, can transmit MRSA to their owners [4]. The chart (Fig 1) below depicts the degree of risk factor sensitivity for bacterial growth: …”