A Honey Of A Solution

 An ancient therapy is giving dogs new life. You love him as much as ever, but you can’t ignore he’s aging. Your doggie companion can’t do what he used to. Getting up after he’s been lying down is an effort.  He’s reluctant to go for walks. Cold weather slows him up even more.  

Just the right time to investigate the benefits of a new suite of active ingredients from an unusual source, taken as a nutritional supplement for joint health in older dogs. That unusual source is the honey bee – and not just honey, but honey bee venom. Over the last few years active components with proven anti inflammatory action found in bee venom like melittin, apamin and peptide 401 have emerged as an effective supplement for older dogs with impaired mobility.

The benefits of bee venom – scientific term apitherapy – have been known for thousands of years, at least since the Father of Medicine Hippocrates mentioned it as an arthritis remedy. But until recently, dogs just like humans were either stung by bees or injected with bee venom to benefit from this ancient alternative treatment. Several studies done by veterinarians using injected bee venom showed the treated dogs had increased mobility without any significant side effects.*

The difference with the new approach is that oral bee venom appears to have similar benefits to injected venom. Using bee venom in honey and capsule form originated in New Zealand eight years ago when radio talkback host Tim Bickerstaff sampled honey with bee venom. Tim was an apitherapy “veteran”, having three years earlier undergone a course of traditional bee venom treatment (BVT) for a painful arthritic knee. He took 1200 bee stings over a six month period, a therapy which Tim says helped his knee pain significantly. When the discomfort later returned he was glad to experiment with bee venom honey instead of stoically accepting another lot of bee stings. The idea caught on, and before long pet owners were giving their beloved dogs the bee venom and honey as well. “We didn’t realise we were anticipating a trend – for human products to migrate to pet treatments, like has happened more recently with therapies like Prozac,” says Tim. Now eight years later thousands of dogs have found a new lease of life and freedom with this new category of bee venom products.

So how does the Bee Venom Work? By supporting the dog’s ability to produce natural cortisol.  Dog arthritis research confirms cortisol levels remained higher even after the dog stopped receiving bee venom. By assisting blood flow throughout the body  Important elements in bee venom increase blood flow to affected joints, carrying away wastes and supplying nutrients. By helping to restore a satisfactory level of prostaglandins . Research suggests bee venom inhibits the production of prostaglandins which increase joint inflammation.

Once dog owners discover the benefits of bee venom supplements, they see such a big difference in their dog’s movement and general mood they don’t want to stop using it. Some owner experiences:

Andy is a 12 year old mixed husky/retriever- like dog that has an artificial hip!

Says owner Tom: “He is a gift from the universe and we love him tremendously. Prior to the daily dosage of honey and bee venom spread on bread with butter, Andy was showing discomfort walking and sitting. Since June 2004, Andy has really perked up. I can tell by his gait and his tail direction.” - Virginia and Tom Boschen, Colorado

Nikita and Sara
13-year old 60-lb Samoyed Nikita’s back legs “just collapsed” when out walking, Canine companion sheltie Sara (13) had a torn ligament. Both dogs are moving much better since taking bee venom supplement. Says owner Joyce: “Nika could hardly walk before. Now she has resumed her hikes in the mountain as before and looks forward to it.” - Joyce Pierson- California

Mindy is an 80lb 5 year old German Shepherd/Collie. Was adopted her from an animal rescue agency when she was 7 months old. Owner Elaine says she “always knew hip dysplasia was a possibility with large dogs, but Mindy was just the picture of health and vitality and I didn't think much about it. ”In December 2003 she hurt her hip somehow. At the time our vet suggested that she probably pulled a muscle. By February 2004 she was still unable to jump up onto the bed and X-rays confirmed my worst fears. It was hip dysplasia.

Mindy had her first "honey sandwich" that night when I got home from work. The following Saturday morning I awoke to her happy face and wagging tail as she greeted me ON the bed! From that day on she has been her old self, hopping off and on at will! Now, she looks forward to her honey sandwich every morning. I know it isn't going to cure Mindy's Hip Dysplasia, but it definitely is helping her to be her joyful, carefree self again and for that I am forever grateful.