Comparative efficacy of veterinary Ayurveda over conventional allopathic practices on various physiological & hematological parameters in relation to IBD as complex digestive disorder in canine pets of India

Introduction

In India, dogs have evolved from traditional working animals to beloved family companions, reflecting the growing human-dog bond across all sections of society. With this shift, attention to canine health and well-being has increased, especially concerning digestive disorders such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a chronic and complex condition characterized by intestinal inflammation, altered gut micro biota, and impaired digestion. Conventional allopathic treatments for IBD often provide symptomatic relief but may be associated with side effects or incomplete recovery. In contrast, Ayurveda veterinary practices emphasize holistic healing through natural formulations that aim to restore physiological balance and immune stability. The present study, conducted on canine patients at the Veterinary Clinical Complex, Belgachia, Kolkata, focuses on comparing the efficacy of veterinary Ayurveda therapy with conventional allopathic treatments by evaluating various physiological and haematological parameters, thereby exploring integrative approaches for managing IBD and improving canine health outcomes in the Indian context.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted over three years (June 2021-May 2024) at the Veterinary Clinical Complex (VCC), Departments of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Radiology, and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Science, WBUAFS, Kolkata, and selected private clinics. A total of 24 Labrador Retrievers aged 6-12 years were categorized into four groups: Group I (Healthy Control), Group II (Conventional Veterinary Practice), Group III (Ayurvedic Drug-Minimum Dose), and Group IV (Ayurvedic Drug-Standard Dose). Clinical, physiological (rectal temperature, pulse, respiration), and haematological parameters (Hb, PCV, MCV, RBC, WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, monocyte, platelet, ESR) were recorded using standard methods (Jain, 1986). Blood samples were collected aseptically via vein puncture and analysed with an automatic cell counter. Dogs were handled gently to minimize stress-induced variations. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS ® version 20, applying ANOVA and Turkey's HSD tests with significance levels set at p<0.05 and p<0.01.

Results and Discussion

Physiological parameters-Temperature On day 0, the values of temperature of CVP group (104.73±.90 o F), ADMD group (104.37±.98 o F) and ADSD group (104.38±.63 o F) were observed to be significantly (p<0.01) higher than healthy Control group value (100.68±.98 o F). In the control group, no significant variation was observed in the rectal temperature on the days 0, 14 and 28. Values of CVP group (day 0: 104.73±.90 o F, day 14:103.38±.82 o F, day 28:101.85±.83 o F) and ADSD group (day 0:104.38±.63 o F, day 14: 102.47±.39 o F, day 28: 100.82±.69 o F) showed a trend of decrease significantly at (p<0.01) from day 0 today14 and from day14 today 28 [40] , Holt, et al. ( 2019) [18] and Cohen, et al. (2020) [11] . These botanicals collectively show promising potential in controlling inflammation, oxidative stress, and temperature regulation during IBD episodes in dogs as reported by Bhatia, (2016) [7] , Ranjan, et al. (2020) [33] , Shukla, et al. (2020) [37] .

Physiological parameters-Pulse Rate

The mean ± SD values of pulse rate of dogs in the healthy Control group and the three treatment groups are presented here. In the healthy Control group, no significant variation was observed in the pulse rate on the days 0, 14 [18] , Cohen, et al., (2020) [11] . Similar studies were made by Holt, et al. (2019) [18] , Cohen, et al. (2020) [11] , Ranjan, et al. (2020) [33] , Shukla, et al. (2020) [37] , Suchodolski, et al. ( 2021) [39] with the explanation that the use of herbal medications in managing IBD symptoms might indirectly influence pulse rate by improving overall gastrointestinal health and it is important to monitor these physiological parameters regularly to ensure optimal health outcome. [40] , Holt, et al. (2019) [18] , Cohen, et al. (2020) [11] . Similar findings were made by Bhatia, et al. (2016) [7] , Ranjan, et al. (2020) [33] and Shukla, et al. (2020) [37] that the respiratory rate in dogs with IBD is positively influenced by the incorporation of these herbal remedies and each plant offers unique benefits that contributed to overall well-being and possibly stabilized physiological functions such as respiration.

Haematological Parameters-Haemoglobin (HB)

The value of haemoglobin in the affected animals (CVP group: 9.93±0.87 g/dL, ADMD group: 9.47±0.67 g/dL, ADSD group: 10.10±1.30 g/dL) was found to be significantly (p<0.01) lower than that of the healthy Control group (13.58±1.15 g/dL) on day 0. After treatment it was observed that, the mean ±SD values of haemoglobin in CVP group increased signific antly (p<0.01) from day 0 onwards (day 0:9.93±0.87 g/dL, day14:11.48±0.75 g/dL, day 28:13.60±0.68 g/dL). Similar pattern of increase in the value of haemoglobin was seen in treatment group ADSD (day 0: 10.10±1.30 g/dL, day 14: 11.85±1.09 g/dL, day 28: 13.75±0.87 g/dL) and there is slight increase in the value of haemoglobin was seen in treatment group ADMD (day 0:9.47±0.67g/dL, day 14 :10.33±0.63 g/dL, day 28:10.82±0.55 g/dL).Onday14 of treatment, all 3 treatment groups (CVP group:11.48±0.75 g/dL, ADMD group: 10.33±0.63 g/dL, ADSD group: 11.85±1.09 g/dL) showed haemoglobin values to be lower than that of the healthy Control group (13.88±1.21 g/dL), significantly at (p<0.01). However, on day 28 of treatment, ADSD group (13.75±0.87 g/dL) and CVP group values (13.60±0.68 g/dL) were seen to be higher as that of the healthy Control group (13.58±1.15 g/dL) whereas on the day 28 of treatment, ADMD group values (10.82±0.55 g/dL) was seen to be lower than that of the respective Control group (13.58±1.15 g/dL). Effective management of IBD through these medications can help stabilize haemoglobin levels by addressing the underlying causes of anemia, such as chronic inflammation and malnutrition which is supported by the study findings of Allenspach, et al. ( 2016) [1] , McCarthy & Lascelles (2018) [25] and Craven, et al. ( 2019) [12] . The studies of Bhan & Singh, (2015) [6] , Dey, et al. ( 2016) [14] , Nambiar, et al. ( 2018) [26] and Raghavendra & Kumar (2021) [32] suggested that the combination of these herbs may provide a supportive role in managing haemoglobin levels in dogs suffering from IBD by improving overall gut health and nutrient absorption. [1] , McCarthy & Lascelles (2018) [25] and Craven et al. (2019) [12] noted improvements in clinical signs of IBD with allopathic management, suggesting potential benefits in hematologic parameters. The herbs have properties that may help improve overall health, gut function, and haematological parameters, including PCV which is simulated with the findings of Puri & Sharma (2015) [31] , Dey, et al. ( 2016) [14] , Nambiar, et al. ( 2018) [26] and Raghavendra & Kumar (2021) [32] . 2016) [1] supports the effectiveness of metronidazole in managing IBD symptoms, leading to improved hematological parameters. Craven, et al. ( 2019) [12] noted that managing dysbiosis can result in better clinical outcomes and hematological parameters in dogs with gastrointestinal diseases. According to McCarthy & Lascelles (2018) [25] , corticosteroids can improve red blood cell production. The use of herbal medicines help improves hematological parameters, including MCV, similar observations were made by Puri & Sharma (2015) [31] , Dey, et al. (2016) [14] , Nambiar, et al. (2018) [26] and Raghavendra & Kumar (2021) [32] . 2014) [19] , Allenspach, et al. ( 2016) [1] and Craven, et al. ( 2019) [12] . Studies with herbs significantly impacting RBC levels, their ability to reduce gut inflammation and improve overall gastrointestinal health can indirectly promote better RBC production by addressing the underlying issues in dogs with IBD was simulated with findings of Kumar, et al (2016) [23] .

Hematological Parameters-White Blood Cells (WBC)

On day 0, the mean ± SD values of WBC (cells per microliter) of CVP group (17.05±0.85 cells per microliter), ADMD group (17.45±1.15 cells per microliter) and ADSD group (17.60±1.39 cells per microliter) were higher significantly (p<.01) than that of the healthy Control group (10.17±2.39 cells per microliter). All treatment group values followed same trend of decrease significantly (p<.01) from day 0 to day14 and from day14 to day28: CVP group (day 0: 17.05±0.85 cells per microliter, day14: 14.96±0.73 cells per microliter, day 28:12.96±1.00 cells per microliter), ADMD group (day 0:17.45±1.15 cells per microliter, day 14:16.23±1.07 cells per microliter, day 28:15.04±0.36 cells per microliter) and ADSD group (day 0:17.60±1.39 cells per microliter, day 14:15.51±1.26 cells per microliter, day 28 :13.09±1.13 cells per microliter). Upon treatment on day 28, the mean ±SD values of CVP group (12.96±1.00 cells per microliter) was the lowest value followed by the values of ADSD group (13.09±1. 13 cells per microliter) and ADMD group (15.04±0.36 cells per microliter). On day 28, the values of all three treatment groups CVP (12.96±1.00 cells per microliter), ADSD group (13.09±1.13 cells per microliter) and ADMD group (15.04±0.36 cells per microliter) lied significantly (p<.01) at the same range of healthy Control group (10.47±2.37 cells per microliter) which indicating the effectiveness of the treatment. The combination of metronidazole, tylosin, and prednisolone in IBD management aims to reduce gastrointestinal inflammation, which often leads to a normalization or reduction of elevated WBC counts, especially as inflammation subsides, similar observation was made by Allenspach, et al. ( 2016) [1] , Dandrieux (2016) [13] and Craven, et al. ( 2019) [12] . The herbal preparation used this trial are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, which can influence white blood cell (WBC) counts and overall gastrointestinal health which corroborated with the findings of Sharma, et al. (2015) [31] , Sahu, et al. (2017) [34] and Balakrishnan, et al. ( 2018) [4] . [25] and Craven, et al. ( 2019) [12] highlighted that dog receiving allopathic management for IBD indicating an improvement in clinical signs. Research by Bhattacharyya, et al. ( 2015) [8] , Awasthi, et al. ( 2016) [3] , and Kumar, et al. (2018) [22] indicates that the herbal management can significantly reduce inflammation markers, suggesting a decrease in neutrophil activation in inflammatory conditions.

Hematological Parameters-Lymphocyte (LYM)

The data represents the mean ± SD values of lymphocytes (%). On day 0, CVP group (16.16±2.31%), ADMD group (17.83±2.04%) and ADSD group (14.83±1.94%) had values significantly (p<0.01) lower than that of the healthy Control group (21.00±2.75%). After treatment CVP group (day 0:16.16±2.31%, day 14:23.66±2.25%), ADMD group (day 0:17.83±2.04%, day14:20.00±1.67%) and ADSD group (day 0:14.83±1.94%, day14:20.83±1.94%) showed significant (p<0.05) increase from day 0. On day14 of treatment, CVP group (23.66±2.25%) showed significantly (p<0.05) higher values than Control group (21.00±2.75%). Whereas on day 14 of treatment, ADMD group (20.00±1.67%) and ADSD group (20.83±1.94%) still showing significantly (p<0.05) lower value compared to healthy Control group (21.00±2.75%). On day 28 of treatment, CVP group (28.16±2.13%) and ADSD group (25.16±1.16%) showed mean ± SD values to be significantly (p<0.01) higher than healthy Control group (23.33±2.42%) and on the same day, the value of ADMD group (19.16±1.72%) is still lower significantly (p<0.05) than Healthy Control group (23.33±2.42%).Metronidazole, tylosin, and prednisolone are frequently used in combination to manage IBD in dogs. Each of these drugs contributes to reducing lymphocyte counts, either through direct immunosuppressive action or by controlling inflammation, observed by Allenspach, et al. ( 2016) [1] , German, et al.

(2017) [16] and Pereira, S., et al. (2018) [30] . The combined use of herbal treatments shows promise for modulating lymphocyte activity, which is beneficial in controlling inflammation and immune deregulation in dogs with IBD, the findings are simulated with the report of Sharma, et al. ( 2015) [31] , Srinivasan, et al. (2016) [38] , Patil, et al. (2017) [28] .

Hematological Parameters-Eosinophil (EOS)

The table and figure represent that the mean ± SD values of Eosinophils (%) on day 0, 14 and 28 of the healthy Control and three treatment groups. On day 0, ADMD group (4.66±.81%), ADSD group (4.83±.98%) showed values significantly (p<0.01) greater than Control group (3.50±.54%). But CVP group showed gradual decrease (significant at p<0.01) from day 0 (2.33±1.03%) to14 and from14 (1.16±.75%) to 28 (0.83±.40%). On day14 of treatment, ADMD group (4.16±1.16%) and ADSD group: (4.00±1.09%) showed significant (p<0.01) higher value than that of CVP group (1.16±.75%). On day 28, the same pattern of alteration (significant at p<0.01) were observed among Control group and all three group values (Control group: 2.33±.51%, CVP group: 83±.40%, ADMD group: 4.33±.81% and ADSD group: 3.33±.51%). On day 28, it is also evidenced that the value of CVP group (.83±.40%) was significantly (p<0.01) lower than that of the other three groups indicating the efficacy of the intervention. The combination of metronidazole, tylosin, and prednisolone is effective in reducing eosinophil counts in dogs with IBD by controlling inflammation and modulating immune responses, similar study was in confirmation with the findings of Allenspach, et al. ( 2016) [1] , German, et al. (2017) [16] and Pereira, et al. ( 2018) [30] . The use of herbal treatments shows promise in reducing eosinophil-related inflammation in dogs with IBD, primarily through their anti-inflammatory and immune modulatory effects, similar study was confirmed by Sharma, et al. (2015), Srinivasan, et al. (2016) [38] and Kumar, et al. (2018) [22] .

Hematological Parameters-Monocyte (MONO)

The mean ± SD values of Monocytes (%) on day 0, 14 and 28 of the healthy Control and three treatment groups, on day 0, among the three treatment groups, the value of CVP group (5.00±.89%) was highest than that of ADMD group (4.50±1.04%) and ADSD group (4.17±.75%) which is not very significant. Gradual decrease from day 0 to day 14 were seen in case of CVP group (day 0: 5.00±.89%, day 14: 4.00±0.89) and ADSD group (day 0: 4.17±0.75%, day 14: 3.00±0.63) and ADMD group (day 0: 4.50±1.04%, day 14:4.17±0.42%). But On day 28 of treatment, ADSD group: (2.33±0.52 b% ) and CVP group (3.67±0.52 ) showed significant (p<0.01) lower value than that of ADMD group (4.50±0.83%). On day 28, it is also evidenced that the value of CVP group (3.67±0.52%) was almost nearer to the value of Control group (3.50±1.38) in comparison to other treatment groups. The allopathic treatments have shown significant impacts on immune modulation, gut microbiota, and inflammation markers, including monocyte activity which is found in the studies of Cassmann, et al., 2016 [9] and Peiravan, et al., 2024 [29] . The herbal medications have unique bioactive compounds that reduced inflammatory processes, support gut health, and modulate immune cell activity, including that of monocytes, corroborated with the studies of Choudhary, et al. (2018) [10] , Shashidhara & Mohanty (2016) [36] and Patel (2019) [27] . [5] and Khandelwal, et al. ( 2018) [21] . The herbal compounds have shown potential in modulating platelet counts in dogs with inflammatory conditions such as IBD, also reported by the study of Sharma, et al. ( 2015) [31] , Srinivasan, et al. ( 2016) [38] , Patil, et al. (2017) [28] . [15] , Sullivan, et al., (2018) [40] , Holt, et al., (2019) [18] , Cohen, (2020) [11] . The combination of these herbal remedies could potentially help manage IBD in dogs by reducing systemic inflammation, as indicated by ESR levels corroborated with the findings of Ranjan, et al., (2020) [33] , Shukla, et al., (2020) [37] and Hassan (2021) [17] .

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that both conventional allopathic therapy and Ayurveda interventions, particularly at standard doses, effectively improved clinical, physiological, and haematological parameters in dogs with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Physiological parameters-temperature, pulse, and respiration gradually normalized in affected dogs, with CVP and ADSD groups showing values comparable to healthy controls by day 28. Haematological improvements, including haemoglobin, RBC, PCV, MCV, WBC, and platelet counts, reflected recovery from inflammation-induced alterations, while ESR values indicated significant reduction in systemic inflammation. Herbal preparations exhibited antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and immune modulatory effects, contributing to stabilization of neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, and monocyte profiles. Overall, the findings suggest that veterinary Ayurveda, particularly at standard doses, can serve as a promising adjunct or alternative to conventional therapy in managing canine IBD, promoting recovery of physiological homeostasis, haematological health, and immune modulation, thereby enhancing overall wellbeing and quality of life in affected dogs.

Conflict of Interest Not available

Financial Support

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