Completed Research

Published Research

The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation currently supports research and education in 13 veterinary schools. Research takes time to complete and more time to evaluate and publish. We are starting to see some research published in prestigious journals such as the American Journal of Veterinary Research and the Canadian Veterinary Journal.

The following research studies have been published:

Ness SL, Frye AH, Divers TJ, Rishniw M, Erb HN, Brooks MB. Randomized placebo-controlled study of the effects of Yunnan Baiyao on hemostasis in horses. Am J Vet Res. Aug;78(8):969-976.

Gellman, K. “Normal and abnormal equine posture”. Biol Open (2022) 11 (4): bio059139.

Faramarzi B, Lee D, May K, Dong F.“Response to Acupuncture in Horses with Chronic Laminitis.” Can Vet J 2017;58:823–827

Dodds, W. Jean. “Efficacy of a Half-Dose Canine Parvovirus and Distemper Vaccine in Small Adult Dogs – A Pilot Study. JAHVMA;41:12-21

Bush J, van den Boom R, Franklin S. Comparison of aloe vera and omeprazole in the treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Equine Vet J. 2018 Jan;50(1):34-40

Taguchi T, Koh R, et al, Agmatine for Pain Management in Dogs With Coxofemoral Joint Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study. Front Vet Sci. 2018 Dec 12;5:311

Normal behavior of pastured hogs

Rodale Institute is performing an inexpensive (by research standards) study on the natural behavior of pastured pigs. Pigs on concrete are subjected to items such as nose rings (to stop rooting behavior) and small crates (to minimize the chance of sows injuring or crushing piglets). There is no good record of exactly what is normal behavior of a pig in normal surroundings. By quantifying normal behaviors in pigs on pastures, they can lend insight into better facilities for confined pigs, as well as what is needed for pigs raised in natural surroundings seen in sustainable agriculture.

Cold laser therapy for bowed tendons

Oregon State University is studying the effect of cold laser therapy on equine tendon fibroblasts, which help tendons heal. Although cold laser therapy is used for this and many other problems, its effects are not well-understood and there are veterinarians who still deny its validity for such use. By affirming the ability of cold laser therapy to increase the healing ability of tendons, this can also support other uses for cold laser therapy to stimulate healing.

Saliva test for horses, for cause of heaves and other allergies

A private practitioner needs funding to determine the suitability of a saliva test for horses which can help determine which inhaled pollens, molds, and fungal spores they are allergic to. This is especially important to help determine which items create specific and sometimes life-threatening allergic reactions, such as heaves.

Yunan Bai Yao for bleeding in horses

Cornell University studied the specific action of Yunan Bai Yao in horses to determine its suitability for use in bleeding disorders in horses. Some horses (especially racehorses) bleed from the lungs during the high stress of horse races. Some mares have a life threatening problem with rupture of the middle uterine artery during pregnancy or when giving birth. Many horses suffer from cuts in the pasture or on the trail which sometimes involve arteries or large sections of muscle. There are other conditions involving bleeding for which there is no easy treatment in Western medicine. This study helped determine the suitability of this Chinese herbal formula to help these horses.

Acupuncture for laminitis

Western University, in conjunction with a private equine practitioner, is studying the ability of acupuncture to help horses with chronic laminitis. Acute laminitis, when treated early, can usually be helped, with the horse returning to normal activities. The longer that chronic laminitis lasts, the worse the prognosis for the affected horse. Acupuncture is often effective in chronic inflammation of many types, and it may be helpful in returning afflicted horses to useful lives again, avoiding euthanasia. This project will help determine whether this approach will work.

Small Breed Vaccine Study

The Small Breed Vaccine Study is designed to show that half doses of vaccine will support a full immune system response. The results of this study will give ammunition for those with Chihuahuas and other breeds of similar size, to minimize vaccine reactions by decreasing the vaccine dose.

Equine Postural Study

An equine postural study has accomplished two things: First, it has created an objective way to evaluate improvement in gait and posture in horses who are in pain. This method is valid whether or not the horses show lameness. Often, back and muscle pain in horses leads to behavior to avoid that pain, which is misinterpreted as being resistant to a rider. This study has created a method to evaluate the stance of a horse which can be easily performed by a layman and interpreted by a computer program, as opposed to having an experienced veterinarian physically examine a horse and arbitrarily grading apparent pain on a sliding scale.

The second accomplishment was to validate the effectiveness of proper shoeing and trimming, as well as a physical therapy technique incorporating chiropractic and other rehab methods, in changing the posture of such horses from one that showed pain (before the treatment) to one showing a relaxed horse with a normal stance (after treatment). This can help validate other methods of therapy, including items such as osteopathy, acupuncture, massage therapy, etc., in a way that will satisfy those who want hard and fast numbers.

Completed Research