Colloidal Silver usage for cats' health in some occasions?

[catman513]

The legacy of this thread is a misleading reliance on colloidal silver with which I felt a responsibility to disagree. My comments mean nothing to the OP who now has a recovered cat. But a person joining this thread needs to know that every responsible source of information discredits colloidal silver for medical uses. To the point where it is illegal to even offer the product for sale for such purpose.

The colloidal silver people are a menace to healthy happy cats. I can't put it any other way.

Let me add that any person considering the use of colloidal silver for a medical problem should google the term colloidal silver along with any of the following: the NIH (National Institute of Health) the AMA (American Medical Association) the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and follow the links to any one of those authoritative resources.

 

[ldg]

My comments mean nothing to the OP who now has a recovered cat.

That's for Nadia to decide. You made it sound like her cat died in your first post.

If you wanted to provide a warning for others, your last post was far more appropriate and informative, IMO.

 

[catman513]

The legacy of this thread is a misleading reliance on colloidal silver with which I felt a responsibility to disagree. My comments mean nothing to the OP who now has a recovered cat. But a person joining this thread needs to know that every responsible source of information discredits colloidal silver for medical uses. To the point where it is illegal to even offer the product for sale for such purpose.

The colloidal silver people are a menace to healthy happy cats. I can't put it any other way.

Let me add that any person considering the use of colloidal silver for a medical problem should google the term colloidal silver along with any of the following: the NIH (National Institute of Health) the AMA (American Medical Association) the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and follow the links to any one of those authoritative resources.

That's for Nadia to decide. You made it sound like her cat died in your first post.
If you wanted to provide a warning for others, your last post was far more appropriate and informative, IMO.

Thank you, I stand corrected.

 

[ambermay]

Let me add that any person considering the use of colloidal silver for a medical problem should google the term colloidal silver along with any of the following: the NIH (National Institute of Health) the AMA (American Medical Association) the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and follow the links to any one of those authoritative resources.

I DID google all that you are suggesting and watched talks of professionals for and against, just like I said I did my research.

I also printed all that (positive and negative) and brought it to our vets to read, so that they could decide for themselves, and after their own further research - they told me that they will be using it in their practice (this I also mentioned in a thread before).

Your posts catman513 actually felt to me like an attack, sorry to say that.  My eyes popped when I read what you are saying in such a manner.  I was offended for myself and for my cat - it sounds that you are clearly unhappy at our success.

In this thread  it was uncalled for.

I since got to know good number of people including locally who do treat their animals with it and very successful.

To me - the choice of an animal would be to live instead of die - this we can guess.  You are almost suggesting that I wanted to kill my cat.

It is well understood that there always will be two sides in opinions even between professionals and not to forget that drug-making industry is a huge business and they will fight to keep their profits.

But I'm not saying 'lets forget conventional medicine' and this is very clear in this thread just like LDG mentioned.

I only wish that conventional medicine would go hand in hand with complementary means (which in some places they do) and the use of complementary would be controlled by professionals instead of owners grasping straws like I did.

The argument about SC and such things is out there.

If you wanted to bring your warnings into the Cat Forums - why couldn't you start another thread to express your opinion instead of posting like that in this one?  What good does this do to warn me and people who supported me?

That is all I have to say.  And yes, I'm happy I have my cat well and healthy with not one side effect from such treatment.

 

[ambermay]

I am so glad that the cat recovered. Nothing makes me happier than a healthy cat. 

And this remark after what you posted sounds quite sarcastic.....

But thank you nevertheless.

 

[ambermay]

And here is some lovely update for you my friends (a funny one):

On 2-03-2012 it was my hubby's b/day.  So, May was not seeping on his bed since the injury happened, but on that day she went and slept on his bed the whole morning - he felt that she gave him such a lovely b/day present, he even phoned me at work that day to tell.

May is now so very playful and affectionate - we just can't believe our eyes.  She follows me like a dog anywhere I go, and I can't even go to the loo without her coming and getting on my lap in there...

Well, I have to spend twice as much time in that little room, kissing her little face asking for it.  She rubs herself against us all the time, and spends lots of time by the little 'train' toy that my hubby bought for kitties couple of years ago - that's a ball running in a wave that she can push with her paw and run after it.

May is giving us and her mates so much pleasure now - it is just so heart-warming!

When feeding - I'm saying:

"Okay May, come, let's go eat your chicken - it has defrosted now", and she understands it perfectly.  We go, and I put out a board and get that chicken, and she jumps up on a table, and as I start stripping that chicken leg - she eats it straight away.  She loves to eat the whole large pieces working her teeth, instead of those pieces being cut up.

Then she doesn't let me watch TV, inviting me to go play with her, so we spend more time playing now with all kitties and our young dog joining the fun.

At her now 3.5 years of age - she is more playful and inquisitive than when she was a kitten.

I had to bring in a large cardboard box (from a tumble drier we bought a while ago) and cut holes in it for kitties to have more fun, and boy - they love it.  And inside that box I put soft blankets, and May often loves it for another bed of hers.  All other kitties surprisingly let it be May's.  Normally they share their sleeping spots.

 

[orientalslave]

I read the wikipedia article about silver in medicine:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_uses_of_silver#Alternative_medicine

I know Wikipedia isn't 100% accurate, but at least everything is expected to be properly referenced, unlike the websites of the people selling CS.  Silver certainly has a place in wound management, but colloidal silver?  No mention of it...

Quackwatch is sure colloidal silver is snakeoil:

http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/PhonyAds/silverad.html

The Mayo Clinic doesn't believe it is effective:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colloidal-silver/AN01682

The OP's cat was cured by wound flushing with colloidal silver, but had it previously been treated with the same level of wound flushing with sterile normal saline?  Making sterile normal saline is easy - slightly easier as making sterile oral rehydration fluid, as the only different is that the later contains sugar as well.  I did find a lot of references to flushing as part of wound management, mostly for initial treatment of horse wounds for some reason, but I did find a more general reference:

http://animalpetdoctor.homestead.com/Injuries.html

And for rats, saline is suggested for flushing:

http://ratguide.com/health/integumentary_skin/abscess.php

BTW drinking colloidal silver can certainly lead to problems:

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2007/12/colloidal_silver_the_real_blue_man_group.php

 

[carolina]

And here is some lovely update for you my friends (a funny one):

On 2-03-2012 it was my hubby's b/day.  So, May was not seeping on his bed since the injury happened, but on that day she went and slept on his bed the whole morning - he felt that she gave he such a lovely b/day present, he even phoned me at work that day to tell.

May is now so very playful and affectionate - we just can't believe our eyes.  She follows me like a dog anywhere I go, and I can't even to to the loo without her coming and getting on my lap in there...
Well, I have to spend twice as much time in that little room, kissing her little face asking for it.  She rubs herself against us all the time, and spends lots of time by the little 'train' toy that my hubby bought for the couple of years ago - that's a ball running in a wave that she can push with her paw and run after it.

May is giving us and her mates so much pleasure now - it is just so heart-warming!

When feeding - I'm saying:
"Okay May, come, let's go eat your chicken - it has defrosted now", and she understands it perfectly.  We go, and I put out a board and get that chicken, and she jumps up on a table, and as I start stripping that chicken leg - she eats it straight away.  She loves to eat the whole large pieces working her teeth, instead of those pieces being cut up.

Then she doesn't let me watch TV, inviting me to go play with her, so we spend more time playing now with all kitties and our young dog joining the fun.
At her now 3.5 years of age - she is more playful and inquisitive than when she was a kitten.

I had to bring in a large cardboard box (from a tumble drier we bought a while ago) and cut holes in it for kitties to have more fun, and boy - they love it.  And inside that box I put soft blankets, and May often loves it for another bed of hers.  All other kitties surprisingly let it be May's.  Normally they share their sleeping spots.

Awwww It is heartwarming to hear your stories of May now, so full of life and all back to her old self.... I remember when you got here.... afraid of losing her
And now look - she is playing as though making up for the time she lost
I am so so glad you have you girl back Nadia! That is really fantastic! You went through so much with her! I can't even imagine the joy of having her all happy, healthy and playful like this! Truly amazing!
And of course is is a beauty :love: feel free to post pictures of her..... always!!! She is just a sight to be seen!!!

 

[ambermay]

I read the wikipedia article about silver in medicine:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_uses_of_silver#Alternative_medicine

I know Wikipedia isn't 100% accurate, but at least everything is expected to be properly referenced, unlike the websites of the people selling CS.  Silver certainly has a place in wound management, but colloidal silver?  No mention of it...

Quackwatch is sure colloidal silver is snakeoil:

http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/PhonyAds/silverad.html

The Mayo Clinic doesn't believe it is effective:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colloidal-silver/AN01682

The OP's cat was cured by wound flushing with colloidal silver, but had it previously been treated with the same level of wound flushing with sterile normal saline?  Making sterile normal saline is easy - slightly easier as making sterile oral rehydration fluid, as the only different is that the later contains sugar as well.  I did find a lot of references to flushing as part of wound management, mostly for initial treatment of horse wounds for some reason, but I did find a more general reference:

http://animalpetdoctor.homestead.com/Injuries.html

And for rats, saline is suggested for flushing:

http://ratguide.com/health/integumentary_skin/abscess.php

BTW drinking colloidal silver can certainly lead to problems:

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2007/12/colloidal_silver_the_real_blue_man_group.php

I've seen all these links before by my own search a while ago.  Thank you.  I've also seen many, oh - very many others.  Like I said - I did an extended research.

I wish I'd use CS on May sooner instead of time spent on researching.

I'd like to keep this thread being about my friends and my cats in Cats Forums.

Please start another thread about Colloidal Silver if you so wish.

I had my personal experiences and I'm happy with that.

 

[ambermay]

Awwww It is heartwarming to hear your stories of May now, so full of life and all back to her old self.... I remember when you got here.... afraid of losing her

And now look - she is playing as though making up for the time she lost

I am so so glad you have you girl back Nadia! That is really fantastic! You went through so much with her! I can't even imagine the joy of having her all happy, healthy and playful like this! Truly amazing!
And of course is is a beauty

feel free to post pictures of her..... always!!! She is just a sight to be seen!!!

Thank you my dear friend!

I will post more pictures indeed.  I'm so relieved now for all that is in a past!

And I can't be grateful enough for you and others who gave me such wonderful support!!!

  You all are part of our lives now 

!!!
 

 

[carolina]

I simply don't understand what is going on on this thread. Why this has become a debate. The OP has come here after months of treating her cat with conventional medicine, several antibiotics, going every other day to her vet for injections, flushes, more than one surgery, for no avail - her cat was on the brink of death. Nothing worked, she tried, she really did try conventional medicine - you are treating her as though she didn't.
Colloidal Silver did work - from day one. And Colloidal silver DOES work. Chemically Silver kills bacteria. It's internal use is highly controversial, but not externally.
Every link posted here so far has been for internal use. What worked for her cat was her external use; the flushes - Colloidal Silver is used extensively externally to kill bacteria, yes, even in hospitals - there are bandages that are coated with colloidal silver to prevent bacterial growth; on pharmacies you can find cream creams/ointments with silver in it, soaps for acne with colloidal silver in it; for commercial use you will find food containers and water filters coated with it with the same purpose.... Here is an example of silver coated surgical bandages, (Click on Surgical Dressings) FDA cleared, by the way - the video explains well the antibacterial properties of Silver.... Again, Colloidal Silver IS Silver.
For those who are saying that silver has it's place as an antibacterial agent but colloidal silver doesn't - Colloidal silver IS silver - just in minuscule particles, that is all.
The OP in not telling anyone to drink colloidal silver, or even to use it, but to call what she did as quackery, or to summarize what she went through with her cat to treating he with saline flushes? Please.... IMHO this is not really a thread for an IMO.... this is the OP thread.... and her cat who was pretty much dying, is in fine health now.... There is no need for a debate IMHO.... Not here at least....
As far as this thread leaving a legacy..... ok..... yes.... Colloidal silver did an amazing job and saved her cat's life it really did.
However, it is up to each cat parent's responsibility to do their own research and discuss with their own vet before treating their pets.... Which is what the OP did..... She treated her cat with Colloidal Silver.... But her vet was also well aware of that :nod: as he should be......
And frankly, I see no wrong legacy in that.... my own vet has treated my cats with "out of the box" treatments quite a few times...... A raw diet for example, is far from being recommended from the FDA or from the American Veterinary Medical Association.... Just as an example.....

 

[mani]

Good on you, Ambermay, for doing everything you possibly could for your cat.

In my experience the 'medical bodies' are so often negative about anything that hasn't been OK'd by them.  And yet some of the drugs they use are appalling, and they are often just the servants of drug companies.  Of course allopathic medicine does good - I'd be dead without it - but there needs to be an openness and far less proctectionism on the part of orthadox medicine, and it is definitely not perfect. 

I once had a three year old rescue girl who the vet wanted to put down due to severe FIV.  She was a sick kitty but she had the most gorgeous nature and I really didn't want to give up on her. I used natural therapies and when there were really bad set-backs we used antibiotics.  Eventually she was euthanased at the age of 13 with kidney failure.  To this day the vet goes on about what good a mix of alternate and conventional treatment can do, even though she was very conservative initially. 

Sure, anecdotal evidence may not suit the scientists, but if it saves a life I can absolutely live with that.

 

[ambermay]

I simply don't understand what is going on on this thread. Why this has become a debate. The OP has come here after months of treating her cat with conventional medicine, several antibiotics, going every other day to her vet for injections, flushes, more than one surgery, for no avail - her cat was on the brink of death. Nothing worked, she tried, she really did try conventional medicine - you are treating her as though she didn't.
Colloidal Silver did work - from day one. And Colloidal silver DOES work. Chemically Silver kills bacteria. It's internal use is highly controversial, but not externally.
Every link posted here so far has been for internal use. What worked for her cat was her external use; the flushes - Colloidal Silver is used extensively externally to kill bacteria, yes, even in hospitals - there are bandages that are coated with colloidal silver to prevent bacterial growth; on pharmacies you can find cream creams/ointments with silver in it, soaps for acne with colloidal silver in it; for commercial use you will find food containers and water filters coated with it with the same purpose.... Here is an example of silver coated surgical bandages, (Click on Surgical Dressings) FDA cleared, by the way - the video explains well the antibacterial properties of Silver.... Again, Colloidal Silver IS Silver.
For those who are saying that silver has it's place as an antibacterial agent but colloidal silver doesn't - Colloidal silver IS silver - just in minuscule particles, that is all.
The OP in not telling anyone to drink colloidal silver, or even to use it, but to call what she did as quackery, or to summarize what she went through with her cat to treating he with saline flushes? Please.... IMHO this is not really a thread for an IMO.... this is the OP thread.... and her cat who was pretty much dying, is in fine health now.... There is no need for a debate IMHO.... Not here at least....
As far as this thread leaving a legacy..... ok..... yes.... Colloidal silver did an amazing job and saved her cat's life it really did.
However, it is up to each cat parent's responsibility to do their own research and discuss with their own vet before treating their pets.... Which is what the OP did..... She treated her cat with Colloidal Silver.... But her vet was also well aware of that

as he should be......
And frankly, I see no wrong legacy in that.... my own vet has treated my cats with "out of the box" treatments quite a few times...... A raw diet for example, is far from being recommended from the FDA or from the American Veterinary Medical Association.... Just as an example.....

Thank you very much Carolina!  Spot on!  You said it all.

Good on you, Ambermay, for doing everything you possibly could for your cat.

In my experience the 'medical bodies' are so often negative about anything that hasn't been OK'd by them.  And yet some of the drugs they use are appalling, and they are often just the servants of drug companies.  Of course allopathic medicine does good - I'd be dead without it - but there needs to be an openness and far less proctectionism on the part of orthadox medicine, and it is definitely not perfect. 

I once had a three year old rescue girl who the vet wanted to put down due to severe FIV.  She was a sick kitty but she had the most gorgeous nature and I really didn't want to give up on her. I used natural therapies and when there were really bad set-backs we used antibiotics.  Eventually she was euthanased at the age of 13 with kidney failure.  To this day the vet goes on about what good a mix of alternate and conventional treatment can do, even though she was very conservative initially. 

Sure, anecdotal evidence may not suit the scientists, but if it saves a life I can absolutely live with that.

Thanks Mani for your support and understanding!

Thank you for your choice and for giving your kitty girl the full life!

We are just lucky to have good vets here who don't deny Complementary medicine!

 

[carolina]

Good on you, Ambermay, for doing everything you possibly could for your cat.

In my experience the 'medical bodies' are so often negative about anything that hasn't been OK'd by them.  And yet some of the drugs they use are appalling, and they are often just the servants of drug companies.  Of course allopathic medicine does good - I'd be dead without it - but there needs to be an openness and far less proctectionism on the part of orthadox medicine, and it is definitely not perfect. 

This is so true..... Unfortunately I can personally testify to that..... My dad has pretty much been crippled and have lost almost 80% of the use of his legs and most of his hands from taking FDA approved cholesterol medication.....
His cholesterol was not even that high.... But now he barely walks with a cane, and will be in horrible pain for the rest of his life, as the medication ruined his central nervous system
He trusted his doctor, he trusted the pharmaceutical companies, he trusted the FDA..... and now the damage is not reversible..... and like him, there are tens of thousands around the World.
The pharmaceutical Companies and the FDA are FAR FAR from perfect..... Saying that something doesn't work because is not approved by the FDA..... well..... sorry.... This drug was and didn't do much for my dad; I am sure something natural would worked much better..... which is precisely what he is doing now..... But unfortunately it is too late

 

[catman513]

I suppose that the reason this is so important is that the colloidal silver acolytes are so persistent that their enthusiasm translates to expertise to the uninformed. Just reading the above barrage of defensive and angry posts criticizing my op-ed it is apparent what can happen to persons who do not want vet bills, surgeries, or powerful drugs for their cat's illnesses. 

I am always surprised to see the vigor with which this useless substance is advanced. Almost with a religious furor. And, even to the point of personal insults against me.

I would urge you acolytes to search your hearts and ask yourselves if you would really want to divert a cat from proper treatment with real medications by a real veterinarian by misleading a person who doesn't want a vet bill or Rx medications or surgeries and is willing to try something else to avoid it. Ask yourself if that is what you really want?

 

[carolina]

I suppose that the reason this is so important is that the colloidal silver acolytes are so persistent that their enthusiasm translates to expertise to the uninformed. Just reading the above barrage of defensive and angry posts criticizing my op-ed it is apparent what can happen to persons who do not want vet bills, surgeries, or powerful drugs for their cat's illnesses. 

I am always surprised to see the vigor with which this useless substance is advanced. Almost with a religious furor. And, even to the point of personal insults against me.

I would urge you acolytes to search your hearts and ask yourselves if you would really want to divert a cat from proper treatment with real medications by a real veterinarian by misleading a person who doesn't want a vet bill or Rx medications or surgeries and is willing to try something else to avoid it. Ask yourself if that is what you really want?

You are getting responses that you perceive to read like that because you are making false accusations here. No one is saying to use CS instead of regular treatments, or without vet care. The OP had extensive medical treatments, surgeries, plenty of vet bills, and this colloidal silver treatment was also done under her vet's approval, and guidance. You fail every time to recognize that. in fact, this post, once again proves you simply did not read this thread at all. At the very least, before posting something like this, you should read the thread.... You are completely off here IMHO :nod: You seem to fail to recognize that there are vets that will work with you with different therapies; and this one did. Yes, I would like something like that. Why not? What is wrong with that?

 

[catman513]

I don't believe that any US licensed veterinarian would use colloidal silver for anything. It would be illegal to prescribe it for a medical use.

 

[ldg]

And here is some lovely update for you my friends (a funny one):

On 2-03-2012 it was my hubby's b/day.  So, May was not seeping on his bed since the injury happened, but on that day she went and slept on his bed the whole morning - he felt that she gave him such a lovely b/day present, he even phoned me at work that day to tell.

May is now so very playful and affectionate - we just can't believe our eyes.  She follows me like a dog anywhere I go, and I can't even go to the loo without her coming and getting on my lap in there...
Well, I have to spend twice as much time in that little room, kissing her little face asking for it.  She rubs herself against us all the time, and spends lots of time by the little 'train' toy that my hubby bought for kitties couple of years ago - that's a ball running in a wave that she can push with her paw and run after it.

May is giving us and her mates so much pleasure now - it is just so heart-warming!

When feeding - I'm saying:
"Okay May, come, let's go eat your chicken - it has defrosted now", and she understands it perfectly.  We go, and I put out a board and get that chicken, and she jumps up on a table, and as I start stripping that chicken leg - she eats it straight away.  She loves to eat the whole large pieces working her teeth, instead of those pieces being cut up.

Then she doesn't let me watch TV, inviting me to go play with her, so we spend more time playing now with all kitties and our young dog joining the fun.
At her now 3.5 years of age - she is more playful and inquisitive than when she was a kitten.

I had to bring in a large cardboard box (from a tumble drier we bought a while ago) and cut holes in it for kitties to have more fun, and boy - they love it.  And inside that box I put soft blankets, and May often loves it for another bed of hers.  All other kitties surprisingly let it be May's.  Normally they share their sleeping spots.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you DH! And WHAT a lovely present. Of course he had to call you at work to tell you! :lol3: :heart2:

It makes my heart sing to hear how well she feels now! :rub: :rub: :rub:

 

[carolina]

I don't believe that any US licensed veterinarian would use colloidal silver for anything. It would be illegal to prescribe it for a medical use.

Your belief is wrong. I can say it right now. Sorry.
IMHO you clearly do not have any knowledge of FDA laws. it is not illegal to recommend to use it... It is simply illegal to make claims for sale. Same thing with natural products that claim to get rid of dandruff and hair loss, or natural supplements, for example - You can not make claims on the stores shelves. There is NOTHING illegal about a Veterinarian saying to a patient that Colloidal Silver would work. Nothing illegal about using the product.
Many, many vitamins and supplements fit the exact same category. Colloidal silver is not an illegal product - let's make that very clear - as you are making it sound like so. It is simply not approved by the FDA, and as so, can not hold claims - SAME thing as any natural supplements and vitamins.

 

[catman513]

I don't believe that any US licensed veterinarian would use colloidal silver for anything. It would be illegal to prescribe it for a medical use.

Your belief is wrong. I can say it right now. Sorry.
IMHO you clearly do not have any knowledge of FDA laws. it is not illegal to recommend to use it... It is simply illegal to make claims for sale. Same thing with natural products that claim to get rid of dandruff and hair loss, or natural supplements, for example - You can not make claims on the stores shelves. There is NOTHING illegal about a Veterinarian saying to a patient that Colloidal Silver would work. Nothing illegal about using the product.
Many, many vitamins and supplements fit the exact same category. Colloidal silver is not an illegal product - let's make that very clear - as you are making it sound like so. It is simply not approved by the FDA, and as so, can not hold claims - SAME thing as any natural supplements and vitamins.

Please read my post before responding next time. Thank you.

It is illegal to offer to sell colloidal silver when associated with any claim of its beneficial use for medical or veterinary purposes.