Turkey Tail for Pets: A Closer Look
1.0 CE Credit Hours | Veterinarians & Veterinary Technicians
Overview:
Many mushrooms possess benefits when used in a medicinal context. This is due to the large number of bioactive constituents found in the mushroom, with a special emphasis on the beta glucan content. This double-blinded study evaluates 10 commercial mushroom products labeled as containing Turkey Tail mushroom that were purchased on the internet. Each blinded product was analyzed for its digestible starch and beta glucan content. Mushrooms naturally contain very little digestible starch and can have as much as 50% beta glucans.
Not all products labeled as “mushrooms” contain mushroom. These evolutionarily evolved fungal organisms are known to be beneficial to the immune system and they play a role in other systems as well. These beta glucans, present in all mushrooms, are key players in the support of healthy immune system responses to challenges. From the results of this study, veterinarians will learn the role the fungal lifecycle plays in mushroom quality and production, and guidance in selecting appropriate mushroom products for their patients
Learning Objectives:
- Learn why mushrooms are considered beneficial for pet health
- Understand that not all mushroom products contain mushrooms
- Gain more confidence in selecting the appropriate mushroom to use clinically from the results of the study
Robert Silver, DVM, MS
Robert J. Silver, DVM, MS, is a 1982 graduate of Colorado State University (CSU)’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr Silver received his MS in 1976, and his BS in animal science from CSU in 1974, with honors. Dr Silver serves as chief medical officer of RxVitamins, and was chief veterinary officer for one of the largest vertically integrated hemp companies in the United States. Dr Silver has been providing post-graduate, continuing education classes to veterinarians, both domestically and internationally, for the past 20 years, primarily speaking on the value of integrating nutraceuticals into conventional veterinary medical protocols. Considered one of few experts in veterinary cannabis, Dr Silver has authored the book Medical Marijuana and Your Pet. Additionally, he has contributed 4 textbook chapters in 2 Springer publications on veterinary cannabis in the past 2 years. Dr Silver has written a peer-reviewed and published article for animals.com titled The Endocannabinoid System of Animals. Dr Silver is vice president of the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine and past president of the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association He has served on the board of directors of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and with the Hemp Feed Coalition. Dr Silver is a founding member of the Veterinary Cannabis Society and a member of the Cannabis Clinicians Society.
This program is RACE-approved for 1.0 hour(s) of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE® approval.
