[Gpdd] Re: CARE, Shilintong

[Candy G.]

Greetings, Nancy -

Thanks so much for your note concerning Shilintong.  That clarification is 
great information to have and I really appreciate you pursuing the 
information and sending it to us.  It always relieves me to hear another 
report of Shilintong being non-toxic and safe, because I really do believe 
that it helps our stone piggies.

It seems that stones occur as a result of two different factors:  diet 
and/or anatomy.  Although stones are most commonly diet-related in animals 
such as cats and dogs (and therefore can be controlled much more easily with 
a diet change), it seems that many (most) stone piggies have a tendency to 
have a narrow urethra - more narrow than the 'normal' piggie.  Most of the 
time, because of the way boars are shaped in their urethra and penis, they 
(the boars) have more of a tendency to have this narrowing and, therefore, 
bladder stones easily get "hung" in the urethra against the pubic bone.  
Females don't seem to have this as often as males.  [Although some of us do 
have females that have had stones.]

It is my understanding that Shilintong relaxes the urethra, so that would 
indicate that sludge, crystals, and stones can pass more easily instead of 
"stacking up" and contributing to the formation of larger stones.  The 
Shilintong opens up the passageway, so to speak, so that would help with the 
anatomical problems - of narrowing - that some piggies have.  So, it seems 
to me that a combination of Shilintong and careful diet would be a "win-win" 
situation with these little guys, covering both causes (diet and anatomy) 
for the stones.

I believe that Cornsilk is a natural light diuretic, therefore it would 
assist with flushing the bladder and kidneys; however it would not affect 
the size of the urethra.  I have read that it can be used as an aid in 
reducing symptoms of pain caused by inflammation in UTI's, cystitis, and 
bladder stones (but maybe is not of great benefit in aiding in the passing 
of the stones).

Hydrangea root has also been mentioned as a diuretic, but more often as an 
anti-lithic, meaning that it aids in disolving stones and helps to prevent 
the formation of new stones.  Again, though, it does not affect the size of 
the urethra as an aid to making the passing of the stones or sludge easier 
or less painful.

Am I correct - for you digesters who are MUCH more knowledgeable about this 
than I am - that we need to be very careful in giving the piggies any kind 
of diuretic [meaning, to only give it when specifically needed, as opposed 
to giving it routinely as a preventative] due to the possibility of 
dehydrating our piggies?  They are so small. . . seems like dehydration 
could become a problem very quickly.  But, I also realize that I am *VERY* 
neurotic when it comes to making the right decisions for my piggies because 
I feel so incompetent when it comes to their health and well-being.  Am I 
being too cautious on this?  I have read in several places that folks have 
used Cornsilk and Hydrangea successfully.  What do the rest of you think 
about this?  Do you use it, and - if so, what do you use it for and what has 
been your experience with it?

Thanks again, Nancy, for updating us on the answers to your questions that 
you had.  The more information, the better!

Candy, Topper and Mollie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My vet Dr. Erica Wilson had been on vacation and couldn't respond to my 
wanting to know more about Shilintong until now.

She had confused Shilintong with Corn Silk.  We are o.k. in using Shilintong 
as a precautionary measure.  She says that usually she trys to change the 
GP's diet to avoid stones, but no problem in using Shilintong.

Whew!

P.S.  She had a web page that I had overlooked:
http://www.galensgarden.co.uk/
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