Fonte: eCAM 2009;6(4)465–471
A homeopathic combination preparation (HCP) for canine osteoarthritic pain was evaluated
in a randomized, double-controlled and double-blinded clinical trial. Forty-four dogs
with osteoarthritis (OA) that were randomly allocated into one of three groups completed
the study. All dogs were fed test products or placebo for 8 weeks. The dogs were evaluated at
the clinic four times, with 4-week intervals. Six different variables were assessed: veterinaryassessed
mobility, two force plate variables, an owner-evaluated chronic pain index and pain
and locomotion visual analogue scales (VASs). Intake of extra non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs was also evaluated. A Chi-squared test and a Mann–Whitney test were used to determine
significant improvement between groups. When changed into dichotomous responses of
‘improved’ or ‘not improved’ three out of the six variables showed a significant difference
(P=0.016, P=0.008, P=0.039) in improved dogs per group, between the HCP group
and the placebo group. The odds ratios were over one for the same variables. As extent of
improvement in the variables from start to end of treatment, the HCP product was significantly
more improved in four (P=0.015, P=0.028, P=0.049, P=0.020) of the six variables,
compared with the placebo. Our results indicated that the HCP Zeel was beneficial in
alleviating chronic orthopedic pain in dogs although it was not as effective as carprofen.
