From the outset I must make it perfectly clear that I am not against alternative therapy. On the contrary, I regularly advise on and prescribe homeopathic remedies and I perform aqua-puncture on horses on a regular basis. The South African Equine Veterinary Association, of which I am a member, has its own alternative medicine group and I support their initiative.

However, over the past few years we have seen numerous websites and advertisements in which the authors claim to have found a "miracle cure" for African Horse Sickness (AHS). Some even claim that their products will cure all infections – even cancer. Unsubstantiated figures are quoted of horses that survived AHS by means of these miracle drugs where "conventional medicine has failed".

What is most disturbing, is the dangerous and irresponsible misinformation that can be found in the promotional material for these products. Rightfully, the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa has managed to close down most of these websites for advertising unregistered products, making unsubstantiated claims, spreading dangerous information and misleading the public. Here are some of the claims made on these websites and other materials:

CLAIM: The AHS vaccine does not work and overloads the immune system and horses should therefore not be vaccinated.

FACT: A comprehensive scientific research project by Ms Beate von Teichman and others in 2007, conclusively proved that the vaccine is highly effective against all nine strains of AHS in the vaccine. The research was published in several scientific journals and a paper read on the subject at the 2008 SAEVA annual conference.

A vaccine cannot be made for strain 5 of AHS and if we have an outbreak of this particular strain as we did three years ago, it results in a high mortality rate. This is proof that the vaccine works. Due to the complexity of AHS, producing a vaccine that gives 100% protection against all strains of AHS, is extremely difficult. Research is currently being done in South Africa and several other countries, to find a single vaccine that could give life-long immunity.

CLAIM: Do not use anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics if a horse has AHS, because it overloads the system and the fever helps to kill the virus.

FACT: AHS causes a massive amount of -inflammation in a horse and this inflammation contributes greatly to the death of the horse. All metabolic functions in the body operate optimally at a certain normal body temperature. The higher the temperature, the less functional these processes become. If the temperature gets high enough, these -processes stop. The immune system becomes less -effective, which reduces the horse's chance of mounting an immune response.

Horses with AHS are in pain and generally have a high fever due to a massive amount of inflammation. It is your duty as a horse owner to relieve the pain and fever, and reduce the inflammation. Failure to do so can get you prosecuted under the Animal Protection Act, section 2(e). Secondary infections by bacteria most certainly occur in AHS cases and a good, broad-spectrum antibiotic is certainly indicated and will not "overload the system" as stated by some.

CLAIM: Insect repellants such as citronella, attracts the midges that carry AHS and poisons the system. Rather cover your horse in paraffin.

FACT: While it is true that the insect repellants available in the horse trade are not nearly as effective as the human insect repellants, they do work to a certain extent and will certainly not attract midges. Paraffin is a petroleum distillate and long-term exposure can lead to health problems.

CLAIM: It's all natural and therefore it is safe.

FACT: The most toxic substances known to man are "all natural". Risin is the toxin in the castor oil plant. Just a hand-full of the seeds will kill a horse. Heavy metals are natural, but heavy metal poisoning can be fatal. "Natural" is not always synonym with "harmless'!

Alternative therapies
Basically there are two categories of alternative therapies in the fight against AHS – homeopathic remedies and quack medicine. Nobody is allowed to advertise or sell any product as a stock remedy/foodstuff or feed supplement in South Africa, unless the product is registered in terms of the Fertilisers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, No 36 of 1947. Homeopathic remedies must be registered under this act, otherwise they cannot be advertised or sold legally.

• Homeopathic remedies: These are homeopathic products that have been thoroughly tested, produced by a reputable manufacturer and are registered under Act 36. There are numerous products (imported and locally manufactured) available in this category that could be of benefit in treating AHS.
• Quack medicine: These are chemical agents, potions, quantum machines and herbal concoctions of questionable origin, scientifically untested and unregistered, but purported to be able to cure any disease on the planet, including AHS. There is not a shred of scientific evidence that these substances are of any value in treating any disease. Let's look at a few products that are passed off as "miracle medicines".

Colloidal silver – a safe, natural antibiotic with no side effects: Silver is a heavy metal and is TOXIC when ingested. It has a cumulative effect in the body, like all heavy metals. It is laid down in various tissues including the skin where it reacts with sunlight and forms bluish-grey deposits (similar to the use of silver on photographic paper). The condition is called "argyria" and is irreversible. Long-term intake results in organ failure and death. In August 1999, the FDA in the US issued a ruling banning people selling colloidal silver from claiming any therapeutic value for the product.

Concentrated oxygen – a safe, natural product that kills viruses, bacteria, fungi, malaria, AIDS and cancer: Several chemical compounds are punted as "concentrated oxygen". These compounds mostly have a double oxygen molecule in their structure and are highly reactive. Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are examples.

Firstly, these products are highly reactive. As soon as they get in contact with the stomach acid, a reaction occurs rapidly and the oxygen molecules are freed. In the case of hydrogen peroxide, the byproduct is water. With chlorine dioxide, the byproduct is Cl- which will react with other elements to form a chlorine salt. So we now have free oxygen in the stomach – and that is exactly where it will stay. But the stomach of a horse or any mammal CANNOT ABSORB OXYGEN INTO THE BLOODSTREAM.

Secondly, these molecules are very strong oxidising agents. If they were to be absorbed into the bloodstream intact, they would cause oxidation of the haemoglobin (turning the iron molecule in haemoglobin into Fe+++ instead of Fe++). This haemoglobin is called methemoglobin and although it carries oxygen, it cannot release it. The result is cyanosis and death (similar to cyanide poisoning).

Now for the scary part: Most of these so-called concentrated oxygen products, are toxic. Oral intake of hydrogen peroxide leads to fatal blood disorders, gastric ulceration, and the like. Chlorine dioxide is toxic to all forms of life. It is mainly used as an industrial bleach and is also used as a disinfectant to kill viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Some products are nothing more than citric acid (lemon juice) and sodium chlorite (NaClO2) solution – both worth a rand or two, yet sold for around R500. By mixing the two together, sodium dioxide is produced. If 1 ppm is safe and 19 ppm is fatal, how much is your horse getting – something in-between? No wonder the information brochure says that your horse might look sick after administration!

A quantum machine that works on the photon level: Now this gem can diagnose and treat your horse – most certainly for AHS as well – at R250 for a treatment and R350 per month for prevention. And although the machine is in South Africa, it can treat a horse anywhere in the world. The "treatment" starts as soon as the owner of the -machine receives confirmation of payment into his account. This machine can even do a long distance vet-check on a horse you want to purchase!

Venezuelanian (sic) equine encephalomyelitis is a common diagnosis. Very -impressive, but this disease does not occur in South Africa. Another diagnosis is "Mycosis infestation of the air-sac". mycosis of the air-sacs are common medical conditions, but is impossible for a horse to contract, because it is a -mammal and mammals do not have air-sacs. Air-sacs are anatomical entities found only in the -respiratory system of BIRDS. -Either the writer of the testimonial has a horse that can fly, or he is riding an ostrich.

After numerous court cases and convictions in the US, where humans have died after giving up conventional medicine to be treated by these "wonder machines", the FDA have now banned the use of them.

Sadly there is no medical cure for AHS or any other viral infection for that matter, but to feed your horse a substance which is nothing more than a toilet-cleaner when it is already critically ill, is cruel and inhumane. The Animal Protection Act clearly states: "Any person who without reasonable cause administers to any animal any poisonous or injurious drug or substance, will be guilty of an offence." It will not be difficult for the SPCA to convince a judge that this stuff is injurious and poisonous.

Owners whose horses contract AHS, suffer severe emotional distress and will often do things out of desperation. If your horse does contract AHS, there is no substitute for professional veterinary help (conventional or homeopathic), good nursing and a prayer of your choice.

(Sources available from the author).