Yucca Intensive? Anyone tried it?

[tla0126]

I ordered some off of EBay on Thursday. Has anyone tried it? My notweiler Samson has some digestive issues and allergies and my rottie Beau sometimes get creaky and stiff after laying down for a while. This stuff seems to help with all of it? I'm curious to know if anyone has had success with this stuff. Thanks!

[bliss7373]

I've heard great things about it. But when I ordered it, it smelled HORRIBLE. My girl would not touch her food with the yucca, no matter how I disguised it.

[tla0126]

hahahaha... That's what I'm worried about. Isn't it funny how are dogs want to eat rotting things on the side of the road, but won't touch something different in their food bowl?? SPOILED! Ha... I will be getting mine in the mail today or tomorrow, guess we'll see!!

[cally01]

You have to be very careful giving Yucca, 4 days on 3 days off. It is not a good idea to give daily. Many holistic practitioners beieve that if the plant is used constantly over an extended period of time, the saponins in the yucca actually begin to have a reverse effect, slowing nutrient absorption in the small intestine. If used in large dosages or over and extended period of time, yucca may become irritatin to the stomach lining and intestinal mucosa, which may cause vomiting. Many indian tribes of the American southwest used yucca to induce vomiting.

Another thing to consider about yucca is that it is used often in poor quality dog foods to reduce the smell of urine and stool. Yucca basically inhibits the production of urease, and as a result fecal and urine odors are reduced by up to 56 % . The holistic question is - what are the deeper purposes of the urease enzyems we wish to suppress? Urease is a natural by product of the metabolic process and it can only be spececulate about the long term results of interference

I used to give it to my Rottweiler years ago for her HD, I got either the fresh herb, human herb, or Solid Gold Yucca. It did help her with her HD. I used to give it with alfalfa and dandelion root.

I never knew any of the long term problems that yucca "may" cause until I had my Rottie on it for 2 years. She started bloating after being on it (after the 2 years). I can't really point my finger at the yucca causing this problem, but, after doing research and finding out that it "can" irritate the stomach lining...I thought it may have been a factor although I can't be positive. I had no problems with getting my dog to eat it just put it in something stinky like canned food or tripe. :)

I now give her turmeric and ginger root for her HD, ginger root I don't give daily tho.

[bliss7373]

cally01's warnings are correct - the yucca I ordered came with explicit instructions and my plans were to use it for bad spells.

I am always careful about using homeopathic remedies to medicate my own dogs. I do not add supplements or try things without consulting with a canine nutritionist or a vet in the area that is very experienced with homeopathic remedies.

I have had great success with some homeopathic products and swear by them - but just like regular medications, they come with side effects, contra-indications, and risks. The dosage issue always concerns me- when in doubt, I dose lightly.

[tla0126]

Cally01, thank you so much for your warning... This is precisely the reason I asked if anyone had experience with it. I will definately be careful. Thank you also, bliss7373, I appreciate the follow up response as well...