Colloidal silver is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can be used for humans and pets. The primary advantages cited for using colloidal silver for dogs include a choice of internal or external use, its natural origins, and few, if any, side effects. In fact, the only known side effect of using colloidal silver for dogs, or humans, is a condition known as argyria. In argyria, excessive long-term use of colloidal silver can cause the skin to take on blue and gray hues.
Unlike prescription antibiotics known to kill around a half-dozen disease-causing organisms, colloidal silver is said to be effective against upward of 650 disease-causing agents. While the use of colloidal silver now falls under the category of alternative medicine, records dating back to ancient Persia show it was used around 4000 B.C. Until the late 1930s, colloidal silver was the most common antibiotic used in humans and animals.
As time went on, prescription drugs began replacing colloidal silver, and in 1997 the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that there was insufficient evidence supporting the effectiveness or safety of using colloidal silver products. The FDA's primary concerns were that colloidal silver was being marketed as a cure for many diseases, with no evidence supporting such claims, and was being sold in varying unknown formulations. After this ruling, colloidal silver could no longer be marketed in the US as a drug intended to treat diseases or illnesses, and could only by sold as a health supplement. The Environmental Protection Agency, however, cites no adverse side effects with long-term use as a health supplement, as long as dosages remain within recommended guidelines.
Advocates of colloidal silver claim it can be beneficial to dogs for many reasons. Externally, gelled colloidal silver can be spread on cuts to promote healing and disinfect the wounds, and liquid colloidal silver can be sprayed in the ears or eyes to help treat infections. To treat internal illnesses, colloidal silver can be added to dogs' water or food. Colloidal silver for dogs has been used to treat practically any condition related to viruses, bacteria, fungi, and single-celled organisms. The main reason many pet owners prefer using colloidal silver is because it's an all-natural product that has only one known and rare side effect, argyria.
When using colloidal silver for dogs, it's important to administer the correct dosage to prevent argyria from occurring. When a dog is exposed to large doses of colloidal silver over an extended period of time, the silver tends to build up in the organs and tissues, and the dog's skin and gums may begin to take on a bluish or grayish color. While this condition sounds scary, it's actually extremely rare and has very few documented cases. Since the appropriate dosage of colloidal silver for dogs depends on the canine's body weight, it's important to be safe and precisely follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. Dosages will also vary depending on the concentration level of colloidal silver.
