Psychoactive Herbs in Veterinary Behavior Medicine »

Stefanie Schwartz, DVM, MSc, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, is Director of Behavior Services, VCA South Shore Animal Hospital, South Weymouth, Massachusetts, and Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts. She is also national consultant to Antech Diagnostic Laboratories.

The phenomenal growth of public interest in alternatives to Western treatments for human disease has spilled over into veterinary medicine. Many holistic veterinarians and pet owners are now interested in using alternative remedies to solve health problems with their pets. Psychoactive Herbs in Veterinary Behavior Medicine is the first text on psychoactive herbal remedies for the treatment of behavior problems in small animals and provides:

· The history and philosophy of herbal practices including traditional Oriental medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, Western medicine and Native American medicine
· Scientific data of psychoactive herbs from around the world and their potential use in veterinary behavior medicine
· A summary of behavior modification for the most common behavior problems in pets

Psychoactive Herbs in Veterinary Behavior Medicine is an important guide for board-certified veterinary behaviorists, as well as veterinarians and veterinary students with a particular interest in behavior medicine. In addition, pet owners interested in alternative medicine for their misbehaving pets can use this well-rounded work to make informed decisions on the use of over-the-counter remedies.

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Reviewer:Karen L Campbell, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVD(University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine)
Description:This book synthesizes scientific data about psychoactive herbs relevant to the practice of veterinary behavior.
Purpose:The author states that this is the first book to cover this area, which is important as growing numbers of people are interested in combining the medical philosophies and practices of Eastern cultures with those of modern day Western medicine. She encourages the use of holistic medicine that encompasses both conventional and alternative medical therapies. The author succeeds in presenting a wealth of information about ancient cultures and their approaches to care of the whole individual.
Audience:This book is written for veterinarians and veterinary students and other scientists with a medical background. There is extensive use of medical terminology which would be not be understood by most pet owners. The author is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist with extensive knowledge in the field of animal behavior. She consistently recommends that advice from board-certified veterinary behaviorists be sought prior to treatment of pets with behavioral problems.
Features:This book provides historical information on medical practices and religious beliefs of various cultures including western civilizations, Native American tribes, Ayurvedic and Oriental peoples. Sources, history, clinical effects, adverse effects, availability and possible clinical applications are described for each herb. Additional chapters are devoted to herbal therapy for common behavior problems and to providing flowcharts summarizing basic approaches to behavior problems. Appendixes include information on psychoactive pharmaceutical drugs, traditional Jewish medicine, and online resources. Indexes include an index of psychoactive herbs and a general index. Each section includes extensive references.
Assessment:This will be an excellent addition to clinic libraries. The author presents scientific evidence to support the use of many herbs as adjuvants in behavior therapy, but she also notes when there is insufficient information to support the use of an herb. The information and references will provide veterinarians with a greater understanding of the various types of complementary medicine and the ability to answer questions that may be posed by clients.