Bruce – Diabetes and Severe Skin Disease
Bruce is a gentle and loving 9 year old male, desexed Pitbull Terrier who presented with diabetes and chronic skin infections.
Bruce was an unstable diabetic for 5 years, he had chronic skin allergies and interdigital pyoderma (histology confirmed Chronic Suppurative Podo-
dermatitis, with bleeding sores between his toes). Antibiotics were ineffective in treating the feet despite numerous cultures undertaken/appropriate antibiotic use. He had 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.
Treatment Goals: To support 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 address the gut health imbalance. To strengthen the immune system, restore balance, improve vitality and quality of life.
Integrative Treatment Plan: Herbal tinctures – immune/gastrointestinal and anti-inflammatory support, plus antimicrobial, diabetic/pancreas/liver and kidney protective herbs. Stem Cell Activation, Pre/Probiotics, Fish Oils, Vitamins and Zinc Supplementation.
Outcome: October 2018 Bruce has been on holistic treatments now for 12 months. His skin has improved significantly over this time and his insulin requirements dropped by 3 IU twice daily.
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.
He is now the best he has been in years. His quality of life has improved significantly and his diabetes is stable. This case demonstrates how complementary medicine can integrate with conventional treatments to improve the quality of life and disease status.
Owners Feedback:
“After the initial shock of learning Bruce had diabetes, 6 years ago, I knew it was my responsibility to give my boy the best life possible not really knowing how much of a commitment it would be.
With the help of my vet in Christchurch and soon realising the costs involved, I took it upon myself to monitor and do all blood testing etc at home then relay the info to the vet. Being a very fussy and temperamental eater it was hard work as his levels were all over the show and there were some very close calls. While I always felt like I was managing his diabetes I never felt like it was under control. Frequent vet visits and long courses of antibiotics seemed liked the norm in the seemingly endless battle to give him the best life possible. Moving back north seemed to make things worse with the warmer humid temperatures and at one point I thought that the never ending battle with sores on his feet could spell the end of the road for Bruce. When Jacqui become involved I knew straight away that she was awesome for Bruce. With her genuine caring attitude, holistic approach & thinking outside the box I knew she could help him. After introducing herbal remedies, stem cell treatment and a change in diet, the results were mind blowing! His feet healed up amazingly and Bruce had a spring in his step I hadn’t seen in a long time and it has stayed this way ever since. It got to a point where the vet couldn’t give me any more insulin as they hadn’t seen Bruce for so long. It was very delightful. I would recommend the holistic approach to anyone with a pet in need in particular Jacqui and the team at Holistic Vets. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Such genuine caring animal lovers who aren’t in it to make a profit like a lot of vet clinics I’ve come across over the years. Thank you so much for helping Bruce have the best life possible. It means the world to me.”
Anthony Fox, 2018