Bruce's skin was a chronic problem despite conventional treatment and his diabetes was poorly controlled for many years.  Within six months of introducing herbal remedies and stem cell treatment his quality of life improved significantly with respect to the skin, diabetes and his general vitality.

Bruce is a 9 year old male, desexed Pitbull Terrier who presented with diabetes and chronic skin infections.

History: Bruce was diabetic for 5 years (difficult to control) he had chronic (years) skin allergies and interdigital pyoderma (histology confirmed Chronic Suppurative Podo-dermatitis, he had bleeding sores between his toes), antibiotics were ineffective in treating the feet (numerous cultures undertaken, no resistances noted to antibiotics used – long courses), chronic conjunctivitis, anal and lip papilloma virus (warts) and anal gland infections. Response to conventional treatment was poor.  In the past prednisone (prior to diabetes) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories had been used. His water intake was elevated and he was very lethargic.
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Treatment Goals: To control the diabetes and try to reduce the insulin requirements.  To maintain a more stable glucose curve.  To improve the skin. To detoxify the body and treat potential gut health imbalance.  To strengthen the immune system, restore balance  and improve vitality.
 
Herbal tinctures based on the individual needs of Bruce over the course of treatment were prepared to address the treatment goals.
 
Bruce has been on herbal treatments now for 12 months. His skin has improved significantly over this time and his insulin requirements dropped by 3 IU twice daily.

In the last 6 months we also changed his diet to a completely homemade diet for diabetic dogs and incorporated stem cell treatment into the regime.  He is now the best he has been in years.  His quality of life has improved significantly and his diabetes is well controlled.

Lucy had been on conventional treatment for recurrent bladder infections for a few years, after herbal intervention the frequency of the infections and her general vitality and wellbeing improved significantly.

Lucy is a ten year old, female/desexed West Highland Terrier who presented with recurrent bladder infections, ear infections and skin disease over the past three years.

The conventional interventions have included a cystotomy (bladder surgery), numerous urine cultures with sensitive bacteria, long courses of antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.  Histopathology supported chronic cystitis and bladder polyps.  Her diet was a prescription urinary tract dried food.
 
On examination her presenting signs were bilateral ear infections, conjunctivitis, tartar and hyperplastic gum margins.  Recessed vulva with secondary vulval congestion and inflammation.  
 
Treatment Goals: Treat the potential digestive imbalances, reduce toxins in the body, improve general immunity, health and vitality.  Reduce the bouts of cystitis, reduce vulval inflammation, improve skin and gum health.  Consider an operation to undertake vulval episioplasty/repair.

Herbal tinctures addressing the above treatment goals were prescribed.  
 
A herbal based cream was also applied topically to the vulva.
 
Lucy experiences fewer episodes of urinary tract infections, her skin and ears have improved significantly. Her owner said she is the happiest she has been in the last 12 months.
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She is also on a homemade diet supporting urinary tract health, her urine is monitored and the occurrence of bladder infections has reduced significantly.  The vulva health is maintained, with topical treatments.

Treatment goals:

• Improve the lameness and generalised stiffness and discomfort by reducing pain and inflammation
• Improve nutrition, digestion and gastrointestinal function
• Enhance detoxification
• Optimise energy by increasing vitality, tonify
• Improve the quality of the coat 

A herbal tincture was prepared to address the above treatment goals.  This was combined with nutraceutical and dietary support.

In Summary: 
Bunty has now been on the formula for 18 months.  Her general demeanour, coat quality and vitality have improved significantly.  She only requires non-steroidal pain relief on very few occasions with the herbs and nutraceuticals controlling most of the pain.  She will be maintained on this formula at this stage indefinitely as the owners feel it has significantly improved her quality of life.  ​​

The use of herbs, nutraceuticals and stem cell treatment significantly improved the quality of Boston's life in the face of chronic gastrointestinal issues and cancer.
 
Boston a 2 ½ year old desexed male Staffordshire Bull Terrier presented with ongoing gastrointestinal issues, weight loss, uncomfortable gait, joint pain, muscle wastage, aggression and depression.
 
History:

He had chronic gastrointestinal issues since a pup. At one year of age, he started developing skin issues, the gastrointestinal signs were still evident.  Hip and joint discomfort was present, X-Rays were inconclusive.
He had numerous blood tests, digestive tests, faecal cultures and analysis.  All tests were normal.  His appetite was ravenous despite weight loss, vomiting and diarrhoea.   He started becoming aggressive and the joint pain was becoming worse.  Referral to a specialist was undertaken, Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBD) was diagnosed and an ultrasound potentially identified a mass (tumour?) in his stomach. He was receiving prednisone to help with the IBD but this did not alleviate symptoms. He started to develop petit mal seizures and had difficulty regulating his temperature.  He was then referred to the Veterinary Specialist Group in Auckland.  A brain tumour was diagnosed after an MRI and cat scan were undertaken.
 
Physical Examination:
 
As the photo depicts he was underweight, his muscle mass and constitution was poor for a young dog.  He had been vomiting regularly and had bouts of diarrhoea.  Flatulence, abdominal discomfort and borygymus were evident.  Pain was evident on palpation of most joints.  
 
Medications:
 
He had received numerous treatments consisting of antibiotics, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, prednisone, digestive enzymes, antacids, anti-nausea medication, worming and flea treatments.
Nutraceuticals including Vitamin C and joint support formulas.
 
Treatment Goals:

• To restore system balance, reduce gut inflammation, optimise body chemistry by improving nutrition, absorption, assimilation and elimination.
• Enhancing detoxification and aiding the body to cope with stress.
• To improve the functioning of the immune system
• To also enhance ambulation and reduce joint discomfort.
• To reduce pain, chronic discomfort, diarrhoea and nausea. 
• To support behavioural problems and improve vitality

 
The aim was to ensure that Boston maintained a reasonable quality of life. 
Boston received various herbal combinations addressing the above treatment goals.

Summary: 
 
This patient’s symptoms continue to vary over the 2 years since presentation, so many tests came back inconclusive and non-diagnostic.  
In the light of the referral to the Veterinary Specialist Group for an MRI and Cat Scan and the diagnosis of the left side of the brain being taken up by a large cystic mass, the prognosis was marginal.  I suspect that Boston had been born with a brain tumour, this potentially could have metastasised.  The important point to note in this very involved case is that in the inclusion of herbal tinctures and later on the Stem-cell treatment significantly improved Boston’s quality of life.  The gastrointestinal symptoms had resolved (over the last 16 months), the aggression and the joint discomfort improved significantly.  He was maintained on a combination of conventional and complementary care.  The integration of the two treatment modalities gave Boston quality time with his family until the tumour symptoms deteriorated his quality of life. This was rapid and the decision to let him go peacefully was undertaken.

In light of all the above, complementary care improved his quality of life significantly which was a heartening and moving experience for all concerned.