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.
 

The use of herbs, nutraceuticals and dietary support has reduced the use of steroids to control the asthma, relieved the chronic constipation and significantly improved his quality of life.

Ludo is a 7 year old, castrated male cat who presented with difficult to control asthma, obesity and constipation.

History: Requiring ongoing steroid injections to control the asthma. Intermittent antibiotics to control secondary chest infections. Laxatives and occasional  enemas to aid the constipation. 
Diet: Weight reducing dried food.

Therapeutic Goals:
• Increase stool bulk and frequency 
• Relieve asthmatic symptoms and ease breathing, ultimately reducing/stopping steroid injections and associated side effects
• Eradicate any infection, parasites (eg lungworm)
• Reduce inflammation and address gastrointestinal tract disorders
• Reduce allergic response and immune reactivity

The herbal tincture included herbs which addressed the above treatment goals.
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His diet was changed to a raw food diet, plus vitamin supplements and flaxseed were introduced.  Weight loss and increased exercise was advised.  Asthma triggers were also identified.

In Summary: 
There has been a significant improvement in Ludo’s general wellbeing, he has lost a couple of kilograms and is eating the raw foods with relish.  His asthma symptoms are being managed without steroid injections (these were slowly withdrawn over a 6 month period). He has not required a course of antibiotics in the last 10 months.  The constipation is now resolved.  ​