Myasthenia Gravis

Question

Dear Dr Smith,

My collie, 12 yrs.old in October, spayed, is on Dick Van Patten's Certified Organic dry dog food for about a year now, she is pretty trim about 74 lbs., has myasthenia gravis. She was on the drug pyridostigmine for 2 months,but had many of  the side effects of that drug so I pulled her off. I was interested in the Immugen, but with the MG should avoid aloe,burdock,maitake, schisandra, siberian ginseng & snow fungus, & esp. cat's claw & echinacea. So I put her on certified organic Astagalus 375mg daily, but after a month she is gagging again, & I upped the dose, but herbs don't work as fast as drugs, so I'll have to put her on it again at least till it goes. I know MG can not be cured, it can go into remission, but needs to be medically treated,(if that works for your dog). She also has cancer cells & they did an ultrasound & said she has a tumor now. So I am fighting 2 diseases, I know she will never be cured, but feel she can have at least 2 more years hopefully. I will do what I can for her & won't let her suffer. My question is this: Can I still give her the Astragalus with the Pyridostigmine, can they go together? Or what do you suggest, please help. Thank you, Michele

Response

Hello Michele,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. Astragalus should be safe to give with Pyridostigmine, it’s only drug interactions are with immune modulating medications. If you have given the Pyridostigmine twice a day and that caused side effects, you may want to try a lower dose three times a day. Please be sure to carefully monitor your Collie’s medication with your veterinarian.

Astragalus also has anti-cancer properties, which may help with the tumor. It is cytotoxic and causes cancer cell death. Ashwagandha may also help as an anti-tumor herb, as it reduces tumor growth and sensitizes cancer cells to radiation therapy. The dose for Ashwagandha as a dried herb is 50-125 mg/kg divided into three doses daily. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA