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.

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.  ​