I awoke in the middle of the night with a start. It was mid-December and I was sweating. "What in the world are you doing?" I asked myself. You are actually going to try to convince people that eating the antlers of a bull elk is going to make them feel better. I made myself some hot chocolate and sat down in the living room so I wouldn’t wake up the whole house. As I pondered the elk business and the velvet industry in particular, I scratched the ears of my old Labrador, Chip. Chip was twelve years old and could barely move. Age and an active life were taking a toll on him. If only I could give him some medication for his deteriorating hips and elbows that would provide him with some relief and not destroy his liver and kidneys.

As a practicing veterinarian, I have watched thousands of dogs, cats and horses suffer from the crippling effects of osteoarthritis. This is a condition of the joints similar to the condition millions of people deal with daily. The production cartilaginous surfaces of the joints begin to erode and wear away. When this occurs, bone begins rubbing on bone and the pain can be excruciating. As this process progresses, the body attempts to heal the insulted joints by sending calcium to repair the damaged bone. These abnormal bone deposits deform the normal joints even more and increase the pain and discomfort of day-to-day activity.

I studied the literature on elk velvet and the claims made by people of many countries. As I researched the product, it seemed to me that it could cure most ailments, had no side effects and was perfectly natural. To say I was a doubting Thomas was an understatement. I knew many people in the elk business, and I knew the demand for velvet antler by the Koreans had fueled the fire of a burgeoning new livestock industry. The little voice in my head kept saying, "Ostrich, emus, exotic cattle." Can this product produce the effects claimed in the literature? Can this product produce any of these effects? What can I do to prove to myself that this is not snake oil or smoke and mirrors? 

As I visited with elk breeders on both sides of the Canadian border, it became apparent to me that the velvet industry in North America was indeed a lucrative but very fragile business. The industry was totally dependent upon the whims of the Asian market, primarily Korea. A North American market for velvet antler products needed to be developed and encouraged. To satisfy my skepticism, I had to see proof beyond a reasonable doubt that we were promoting a product that had more than a mystical, psychological effect – an effect or effects which could be reproduced in trials around the world.  

I scratched Chip’s ears and looked at my old faithful friend. "If this product could improve Chip's quality of life, it would be tremendous, " I mused. Also, a dog could not be convinced he was going to feel better. He would either show and improvement, or he wouldn’t. It seemed very straightforward to me. Animals could be used to test the efficacy of the product, and the response of the animal to the treatment regimen could be qualitatively evaluated. Probably not a very scientific experiment, but certainly one that would produce some answers to the questions I had. 

I bounced my idea off of some friends of mine in the industry, and I was strongly encouraged to initiate a study. I talked with several veterinarians and asked if they would like to participate, but I was met with a lot of doubt and skepticism. The veterinary profession was having a difficult time accepting the fact that alternative medicine may have a place among our arsenal of drugs and surgical procedures. 

We have a very large mixed animal practice in northwest New Mexico, and we have many animals suffering from arthritis fractures and the ravages of old age. Would the average client be open to trying a radically different form of treatment on their beloved pets? The answer to this question was a resounding yes. People were excited to try a new form of treatment which may increase the quality of life of their animals. They were especially thrilled to know that a lack of response seemed to be the worst that could happen. To date, we have not documented any side effects with the use of this product. In some cases, a blood chemistry profile was established and checked after a period of time on the product, with special attention paid to the kidney and liver function tests. 

Animals on trial have ranged from 6 months of age to 19 years of age, both canine and feline. Breeds range from Chihuahua to Newfoundland. Conditions being treated are various bone, ligament and tendon conditions, and various other conditions related to aging. 

The effects of elk velvet on Chip were remarkable. After a period of time he moved with much greater ease and could go up and down stairs again, and his appetite and coat improved. Chip’s quality of life improved greatly, and his life was extended for more than a year. Chip was the first of many animals I have watched respond favorably to elk velvet.