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Case Studies

Vinnie

Gracie

Vinnie was presented to the local emergency clinic vomiting, tense and in abdominal pain. His condition was critical with internal bleeding from an enlarged adrenal gland. It contained a tumour which had ruptured as it started to disintegrate.

As Vinnie had gone into cardiac arrest in the scanner, the investigation was curtailed and the owner advised that life saving surgery to remove the gland would have to be scheduled in the next couple of days, and the outcome was uncertain.

The initial investigation had cost nearly $8k, and as a single Mum, Vinnie’s owner could not afford to go ahead with surgery. She came to us looking for hope that she could save her dog.

We started herbal treatments. The emergency centre vet was very unimpressed with this, but we explained that we were giving the herbs to strengthen immunity.

Within a few weeks Vinnie was more active than he had been for some time. He has remained well for over a year since then and no longer needs the herbal treatments.

See the articles on herbs.

Gracie

Gracie

In December 2013 Gracie, a then 10 year old Maltese cross, came to us with sudden acute anaemia.

With the help of our pathologist she was diagnosed as suffering from IMHA (Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia), an auto-immune disease in which the body attacks its own blood cells.

Although we normally avoid cortisone, this was a case in which it was appropriate, and we treated her with it while we completed a hair test.

We knew that a study of dogs with this deadly disease was being conducted at the University of Melbourne animal hospital at Werribee, and it was arranged for Gracie to go there and join the study.

Werribee staff ran regular blood tests and determined the level of immunosuppressants she needed, while we saw her regularly for acupuncture and herbal supplementation following the indications of the hair test.

Within a few months Gracie was off the immunosuppressive therapy and continued just on herbal support. After a year of this, Werribee staff commented that she had an ‘unusually good outcome’. Gracie was well, but sadly all the other dogs in the study had died.

Gracie remains in good health on a low fat and high vegetable diet. We like to think that supporting her natural energy balance with herbs and acupuncture has given Gracie the strength to survive this serious disease and it's challenging, but in Gracie's case effective, treatment.

See the articles on herbs and acupuncture.

Jaeger

Jaeger looking happy and wellJaeger, a 7yo German Shepherd, came to us with intractable itches in December 2015. He had started itching at 18 weeks, and also his bowel did not work well and diarrhoea was frequent. Jaeger was never hungry and often he would not feel like eating for days. His back legs were not strong and he walked dragging his toes.

He had been on various antibiotics plus Atopica (cyclosporin) for a year before coming to us, with intermittent cortisone as well, but the problems persisted.

After 6 weeks of acupuncture and herbs Jaeger was much improved. He has now gone 12 months without complaining of gut dysfunction or itching. Jaeger has acupuncture about every month. He is happy, more active and eats readily, and now needs only a few generic herbs.

See the article on antibiotics.

Henri

Henri has laser therapyHenri had extensive hip surgery (a double pelvic osteotomy) at a specialist centre in February 2017, followed by intensive physiotherapy.

He was brought to East West Vets in March for a second opinion, because he was not healing well and his recovery was slower than expected. His gait was weak on one side and he was dragging his toes. His bowels were functioning poorly, possibly due to the high doses of NSAIDS prescribed after the surgery, and Henri’s owners reported him being unusually restless and very anxious.

We replaced Henri’s NSAIDs with a more natural anti-inflammatory (Glucosamine with boswelia and bromelia, plus MSM) and commenced fortnightly Laser Therapy. His owners were delighted to see an immediate improvement in Henri’s movement, and further improvements over the remaining 3 months of the therapy. He now receives a monthly top-up Laser session. and has MSM sprinkled daily on his food.

Henri really enjoys his laser therapy and his owners say there is a very visible increase in flexibility for the days following laser treatment.

Henri was reviewed in October by his surgeon, who commented that Henri was doing very well. Not only has Henri’s movement significantly improved, but his owners have noticed a complete change in his behaviour. He is now a calm and happy dog who loves going for his walks.

See the articles on Laser Therapy and NSAIDs.