Dog Diseases

This section is under construction. Some diseases have been completed.

Diseases of Dogs

hip dysplasia with secondary arthritis

Here we describe various dog diseases (canine diseases), with reference to acupuncture, herbal treatment, homeopathic treatment, chiropractic manipulation etc., where appropriate. We invite and accept referrals for complementary and alternative medicine treatments.

See also: Dog Cases

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ADDISONS DISEASE

We are currently awaiting a case report for this condition. It is being prepared for publication. It is a case in which the requirement for conventional therapy has been massively reduced and in which the patient has survived many years, after homeopathic treatment (homeopathy).

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ALLERGY - ALLERGIES

What is it?

The term ‘allergy’ implies a malfunction of the immune system. The word is derived from Ancient Greek, to mean ‘other function’, so it is one of the few modern disease names that accurately and meaningfully describes the fundamental dysfunction, rather than simply describing signs and symptoms.

In allergy, the immune system responds inappropriately to ‘allergens’, which are materials that ‘trigger’ the reaction. These may be pollens, house dust, flea saliva, moulds, grass proteins, garden plants, house plants, food components, household reagents or certain chemicals. Removing or reducing these allergens from the environment or diet of the dog may reduce the symptoms but will not cure the problem.

What causes it?

This is not known with certainty but any powerful immune challenges that are capable of perverting immune function and balance, such as virus or vaccination, are likely candidates.

Is it treatable?

In conventional medicine, it is usual to try to suppress the allergic reaction with anti-inflammatory drugs (such as steroid/cortisone) or with anti-histamines. This is a life-time task and can, in fact, lead to a worsening of the disease in the longer term. Desensitising vaccines may be offered, which are based on the result of specific allergy tests. This technique seems to be aimed to 'tire', to ‘exhaust’ or to 'wear out' the immune system into non-reactivity, but only helps in a few cases.

In natural medicine, at the Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre, we try to rebalance the immune system, such that the allergic reaction ceases to occur. This may require homeopathic constitutional prescribing and/or a remedy based more on specific troublesome symptoms. In addition to homeopathy, herbs and acupuncture can play a part in treatment.

In either case, it is wise to try to reduce the allergenic challenge from the environment in the meantime but, whereas in conventional medicine this is a permanent requirement, in natural medicine, a normal tolerance for the allergen may be re-established.

Diet is an essential component of holistic treatment, in that the immune system will heal much faster and more effectively if given a natural, healthy, unprocessed diet. Furthermore, some allergies occur to chemicals in the diet for which the dog has no need but which may be harmful anyway.

ALOPECIA

The term alopecia refers to hair loss or failure to replace hair. There may be a multitude of causes behind the condition. One prominent known cause is hypothyroidism. Many cases of alopecia respond well to homeopathic treatment (homeopathy).

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ARTHRITIS

What is it?

The term ‘arthritis’ implies inflammation of a joint. Taken literally, this can include a simple sprain but it is more often used to describe osteo-arthritis, in which long-term bony changes occur in the skeleton, around the joints. These changes can result in swelling and deformation of the joint, with reduced range of flexion and extension. The resultant pain and altered movement can cause lameness or can, in bad cases, be quite crippling. This is possibly the most common reason for a lame dog (limping dog).

What causes it?

It can result from a poorly healed injury, ruptured ligaments (e.g. cruciate), developmental problems such as OCD, elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia, infective damage, surgery, repetitive strain injury, degenerative joint disease (DJD) or auto-immunity (e.g. SLE). The chronic inflammation around the joint stimulates new bone formation, which alters the shape of the joint, restricts the range of movement and gives rise to pain. Diet itself may play a part in aetiology.

Is it treatable?

By and large, the answer is yes. A cure may not be possible but positive responses can result in reduced symptoms or even apparent disappearance of symptoms in the best cases. Mobility and quality of life can generally be improved or restored and drug usage can be reduced or removed.

In conventional medicine, it is usual to try to suppress the inflammatory reaction and block the pain response with pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), steroid/cortisone or a combination of these). This is a life-time task and not every dog can tolerate these drugs. Surgery may be offered, to alter the structure of the joint or to stabilise increased movement (e.g. in cruciate damage).

In natural medicine, at the Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre, we try to stimulate more healthy and normal skeletal remodelling, aiming for long-term improvement in joint shape and structure. This is achieved using homeopathy and diet. We try to rebalance the body’s inflammatory responses, thus reducing or removing pain. In difficult cases, lameness and pain may be more directly controlled by acupuncture or by specific homeopathic or herbal medication. LASER therapy may also play a part. Magnet therapy shows great promise, in some cases (it is not usually possible to predict which cases) and can alter the whole situation over a period.

Diet is an essential component of holistic treatment, in that the immune system will heal much faster and more effectively if given a natural, healthy, unprocessed diet. Healthy skeletal structure depends upon feeding healthy raw materials, thus exploiting the opportunity presented by the inevitable constant recycling and replacement of the skeleton. The activity of inflammatory mediators can be modified through diet. Certain supplements may have a beneficial effect (e.g. essential fatty acids, cartilage precursors (best supplied by the provision of raw knuckle bones), alfalfa etc.). Furthermore, some arthritis occurs solely as a result of an unhealthy processed diet.

In order to try to optimise the way in which the dog uses his skeleton, we use chiropractic manipulation in each case. There are usually multiple skeletal misalignments in arthritis cases. Some of these may be part of the ‘cause’ and some may be part of the ‘effect’ of the disease. In either case, better movement results in better healing capability.

ATOPY

What is it?

This is a condition in which there is a ‘type 1 hypersensitivity’ (allergy). In type 1, also called ‘immediate hypersensitivity’, there are cell-fixed antibodies (e.g. IgE), in basophils or mast cells (immune system cells)), which, when combined with ‘allergens’, release histamines and other vaso-active components, which give rise to inflammation and ‘pruritus’ (itching). There is said by some to be a hereditary component, but this is not a key factor, in our opinion.

The characteristic itchiness is often seasonal, at first. If the signs are ‘suppressed’, e.g. by steroids, it can extend to all-year-round after one or two seasons, as a result of the suppression and exacerbation cycle. Feet, underside and face are most affected, with self-trauma superimposing further signs. Ears may be affected. There may be secondary pyoderma.

In allergy, the immune system responds inappropriately to ‘allergens’, which are materials that ‘trigger’ the reaction. These may be pollens, house dust, moulds, grass proteins, food components, flea saliva or certain chemicals. Removing or reducing these allergens from the environment or diet of the dog may reduce the symptoms but will not cure the problem.

What causes it?

This is not known with certainty but any powerful immune challenges, such as virus or vaccination, are likely candidates. Any hereditary component is restricted, in our opinion, to a hereditary predisposition, rather than a hereditary disease. Thus, certain breeds and certain lines may show greater susceptibility.

Is it treatable?

In conventional medicine, it is usual to try to suppress the allergic reaction with anti-inflammatory drugs (such as steroid/cortisone) or with anti-histamines. This is a life-time task and usually results in deepening or worsening of the problem, as a result of the suppression/exacerbation cycle. Desensitising vaccines may be offered, which are based on the result of specific allergy tests. This technique seems to ‘tire’ the immune system into non-reactivity, but only helps in a few cases.

AURAL HAEMATOMA

AUTOIMMUNE (AUTO-IMMUNE) DISORDER

In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. This aberration can be triggered by viral, chemical or vaccination challenge. Because some breeds appear more susceptible than others, there is a tendency to 'blame' heredity. However, it is likely that what is inherited is the susceptibility or tendency. A trigger is still required to set the process in train.

Happily homeopathy is able to bring many of these conditions under control. In VKH, LASER therapy or Acupuncture-by-Laser may be required, particularly in treating the associated eye problems.

Addison's Disease
Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA)
Chronic Degenerative Radiculo-Myelopathy (CDRM)
Cutaneous Vasculitis - Cutaneous Vasculopathy
Dry Eye (Kerato-Conjunctivitis Sicca - KCS)
Eosinophilic Myositis
Hypothyroidism
Lupus (SLE & DLE)
Pemphigus
Purpura
Temporal Myositis
Uveodermatologic Syndrome (Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like Syndrome - VKH)

Cardiomyopathy
Diabetes Mellitus
Heart Valve Disease of Cavaliers
Pancreatic Insufficiency

BACK PROBLEMS - NECK PROBLEMS

What is it?

Back pain can be extremely disabling and painful for a dog. Back problems can vary from simple soreness, with sensitivity to pressure, through spinal and pelvic misalignments to a full-blown injury or to serious chronic pathology (e.g. spondylosis). The early signs can be easy to miss, as we can so easily write off the reduced activity and altered movement to ‘age’.

How does it occur?

Life’s wear and tear, in the complex and unnatural environment and lifestyle a dog shares with us, can lead to misalignments of the back (spine). If these are not corrected in a timely fashion, secondary longer-term damage can ensue. Neck injuries can occur from pulling on the lead, from falls, from collisions and other traumas. Lameness can lead to uneven stresses on the spine, resulting in misalignments. There may be dietary or hereditary predispositions to and causes of chronic pathological changes. Disc problems are described separately.

Is it responsive to treatment?

Simple misalignments are usually easy to correct by chiropractic manipulation. The immediate results of this work can be astonishing. Any pain, resulting from the muscle spasm caused by long-term misalignment, can usually be additionally helped by acupuncture and homeopathy. At the AVMC, we have a special interest in dog back problems and we integrate these therapies to try to achieve optimum healing.

Long-term pathology, such as spondylosis, is treated in a similar way to arthritis.

Back People

There are many ‘back people’ who ply their trade. Animal-qualified chiropractors are examined by the McTimoney Chiropractic Association. These are genuine. Of those without this qualification, some will, of course, also be genuine but caution is advised in using someone without the qualification. Some self-appointed back people are dangerous.

Physiotherapists work on the musculature, which can be very valuable in suitable cases, but most with whom we have had contact do not acknowledge spinal misalignment.

All chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and other manipulators are required, by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, to work only on the recommendation of a vet and under the supervision of a vet.

Gadgets

Many pieces of equipment are recommended, by salespersons or practitioners, for back problems. Ultra-sound, LASER therpay, Magnet, Faradic and TENS are but a few of these. Before embarking on such programmes, which can be expensive quite apart from safety and welfare considerations, please consult your vet, to enquire about suitability or safety for the particular dog. You may need to consult a vet who is experienced in a full range of holistic therapy for dogs, to access the necessary expertise to evaluate these tools.

Swimming

If there is no pathology, which could be damaged by this activity, this can be a useful way to exercise the spine and its musculature, without the effects of gravity or concussion. Be advised by your vet, whether swimming could help your dog, since some cases are entirely unsuitable.

BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS - BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS

Behavioural problems are commonly presented for homeopathic treatment. Not all are strictly behavioural in nature, in that there may be an underlying physical cause, dietary cause or even some internal disease, an extreme example of which can be low-grade meningitis or encephalitis.

As some problems are purely behavioural in origin, resulting perhaps from hereditary or learned causes, behavioural therapy is worth considering. However, the possibility of a more organic cause must not be overlooked.

If the problem is curable, which not all are, then the holistic approach provided by homeopathy, including close attention to dietary, nutritional and environmental detail, should be able to bring about a positive result.

It is worth remembering that, while insurance companies tend to exclude treatment for purely behavioural problems from their benefits, those problems which have an underlying physical or dietary cause are claimable.

This section is in preparation. We have a policy of ongoing improvement, augmentation and updating, so that our website is constantly changing. We hope you have enjoyed what you have seen so far and found it helpful, so that you will revisit us soon, to see the latest developments. Put the home page in your 'bookmarks'/'favourites', for ease of revisiting.

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Homeopathic treatment is usually successful in helping a patient to throw off this otherwise troublesome infection. We combine homeopathy with dietary advice and sometimes with a high-quality probiotic. It should be borne in mind that this is a zoonosis.

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CANCER

The dreaded word, cancer, is deeply feared by most of us. In the USA, once dogs are past 3 years-old, they have a 50% risk of developing cancer. This is a horrifying statistic. When cancer strikes, however, it is important to try to look dispassionately at it, despite the emotional pressures, in order to see it for what it is and to be able to stand a chance of beating it.

It is, by and large, a disease of our times. It is a function of immune aberration. It is, unsurprisingly, those animals that are close to us that have the most cancer. This implies that human influence or intervention must be high on the list of possible underlying causes. We pollute our air, water and food with so many chemicals and unknown and unquantified cocktails of chemicals, that the earth has never met before in its millions of years of existence. Yet we expect it to cope. We bombard our bodies and those of our animals with so much adverse material and influence that it should not be surprising when the system yields to this pressure on occasions.

Vaccinations (vaccination problems), pollution, food additives, agrochemicals, manufactured diets and suppression of simpler diseases are all possible potent causes, behind the general state of cancer. Vaccination itself may be a powerful cancer-predisposing influence, owing to its action on the immune system and its introduction of biological material (vaccination problems).

How can we beat it? Firstly, it is important to realise that some individuals can definitely do so, especially with the help and support offered by natural medicine (usually homeopathy) and holistic diet work. At the AVMC, we have examples of success with most of the worst forms of cancer and malignancy. Previous successful cases include osteosarcoma, mammary carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, fibrosarcoma, leukaemia, liver cancer, stomach cancer, bladder cancer, histiocytoma and mast cell tumours. Liver tumours appear to be the most responsive to date. Spleen tumours (including haemangiosarcoma) are usually treated with homeopathy and simultaneously referred for precise ultrasound diagnosis and possible surgery. Secondly, it is important to face the opponent and accept that much of cancer is brought about by our lifestyle and habits, both as individuals and as a race. Some of these bad practices are, happily, reversible, if we recognise them.

Diet, holistic medicine, change of lifestyle and love can turn around some very powerful diseases. While we sadly lose a significant proportion of our canine cancer cases, many do survive, to lead a happy and long life. We can only do our best and we can only promise effort. In treating cancers, we adopt an uncompromising, pedantic and detailed approach to health management and treatment, which is the best way we know to stand a chance of beating this most formidable of foes. We have only one crack at it, with no 'dress rehearsals'.

The main weapons in our fight against cancer are: homeopathy, diet, herbs, supplements and management changes.

In some cases, we have seen coincidence in timing between onset of signs and recent vaccination or exposure to agro-chemicals.

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This condition can sometimes appear to be helped by homeopathy. We are not certain, in most cases, since it is difficult to evaluate slowing of progress. We have been advised that we have resolved cataract in some early cases but have not had the opportunity to re-examine the eyes. See also: Diabetes

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CDRM

This is the subject of a .pdf document (CDRM). It appears that a good proportion of cases that occur in dogs aged 9 or over can respond.

We have seen relative successes with this disease, using a combined acupuncture, homeopathic (homeopathy) and nutritional approach. The unexplained paradox is that we appear to be able to hold out more hope for those dogs that contract the disease later in life (nine years-old and over).

This appears to be a disease of autoimmune origin and a worrying proportion start a short time after vaccination, particularly after 'double' boosters (sometimes recommended by vets after a period of lapsed boosters).

COLITIS, IBD, IBS & CHRONIC DIARRHOEA

Colitis is characterised by signs of abdominal pain, straining (tenesmus) at a soft, mucoid and sometimes bloody stool and notorious dietary sensitivity. The condition has its roots in immune malfunction. The usual treatment offered is antibiotic and steroid.

A common treatment is with sulphasalazine (sulfasalazine), a sulphur-drug which has the known side-effect of giving rise to dry eye in a number of unfortunate cases.

This condition is usually successfully treated by homeopathy, aimed at restoration of more normal immune balance and function. Successful outcome depends upon a rigorous homeopathic constitutional and miasmatic approach and careful management during the early phase of treatment. Happily, most cases appear to be able to tolerate most normal (non-manufactured) foods, after such treatment.

Some cases of chronic diarrhoea are colitis cases. Others may be a result of chronic bacterial imbalance in the bowel, following a historical disturbance from which the patient has failed to recover. At the AVMC, we aim to restore normal microflora in the bowel, using homeopathic constitutional prescribing (homeopathy), intensive probiotics and careful dietary management during the early phases of treatment.

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COUGH

Cough is a sign that can arise from a multitude of different causes. Depending upon the cause, homeopathy can be a very successful line of therapy.

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CRUCIATE LIGAMENT

This is a common injury to the 'stifle' joint, which is analogous to the 'knee' of a human. The usual conventional approach is surgical, with ligament replacement or, in more recent times, the 'TPLO' (Tibial Plate Levelling Operation).

Depending upon circumstance, a more conservative approach can give rise to a satisfactory outcome. This approach uses an integrated programme, including Homeopathy (e.g. Ruta), LASER therapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic manipulation and dietary/nutritional input. At the AVMC, we usually try this more conservative approach as a first line, prior to surgery, at the same time offering an assessment with a respected veterinary orthopaedic specialist.

In this way, responsive cases can be monitored, during the healing process (which may not be smooth in every case) and unsuccessful cases can be dealt with by the orthopaedic specialist in a timely fashion.

CUSHINGS DISEASE

Homeopathic medication can usually control this condition (homeopathy). However, total cure is unlikely except, perhaps, in very early cases.

Sadly, many cases are induced by prolonged use of steroid (corticosteroid, cortisone) drugs (an example of iatrogenic disease). We have a suspicion that some cases may be induced by treatment with drugs for urinary incontinence.

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CUTANEOUS VASCULITIS - CUTANEOUS VASCULOPATHY

This condition is usually seen in German Shepherd puppies and is usually responsive to homeopathic medication.

It is generally described as a hereditary disease (genodermatosis), passed on in an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, inferred from pedigree analysis. It is a disease characterised by puffy, inflamed, ulcerated pads, focally depigmented nasal planum, ulcerated ear tips and ulcerated tail tip. It usually starts with fever, lethargy and peripheral lymphadenopathy, at around eight to ten weeks of age. There are other findings, including blood picture, histology and bone marrow changes that suggest an immune aberration.

In our opinion, this shows a classic 'vaccinosis' pattern, usually occurring 7 to 10 days after vaccination. The familial tendency can be explained as a hereditary susceptibility to such adverse influences as vaccination. German Shepherds generally have a less stable immune balance than most breeds. However, this theory is not proven and is unlikely to gain credence in the 'conventional' world.

CYSTITIS

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DEMODECTIC MANGE

DERMATITiS

DIABETES INSIPIDUS

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DIABETES MELLITUS

Diabetes can be helped by homeopathy. Cases vary in their responses, the best responses leading to the need for insulin being reduced or even abolished. Moderate responses enable patients to be better stabilised.

Diabetes mellitus can give rise to cataracts, if not controlled in a timely fashion.

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DIARRHOEA

Diarrhoea is a sign that can arise from a multitude of different causes. Depending upon the cause, homeopathy can be a very successful line of therapy. Antibiotic is usually contra-indicated. Chronic diarrhoea also usually responds well.

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DISC DISEASE & PARALYSIS (Intervertebral disc disease - IVD - disk disease)

Lumbar disc disease or, for that matter, any disc disease, is a very distressing condition. It is characterised by a great degree of pain and by greater or lesser loss of mobility. Human companions are, quite understandably, horrified when it happens. It is usually sudden and generally leaves a dog paraplegic (paralysed) in the hind quarters. It may or may not cause problems with urination or defaecation.

The lesion is usually caused by a sudden and forceful rupture of the ‘pulp’ of an intervertebral disc, into the spinal canal. The spinal cord has nowhere to go, being enclosed in a bony channel, so it is subjected to a forceful concussion.

Pressure on the spinal cord is probably not the cause of the signs, rather that the spinal cord has been severely damaged by the impact described above. Oedema of the spinal cord follows injury, resulting in further damage if not prevented.

The treatment of choice for this problem is prompt acupuncture, which has been shown to have the best success rate of all the usual interventions, even surgery, whatever the ‘grade’ of damage. At the Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre, we use acupuncture, supported by homeopathy and LASER therapy, which integrated programme enhances the benefits that would be provided by acupuncture alone. The homeopathy can both reduce or prevent oedema in the early stages and speed healing of the spinal cord damage in the medium term. In this way, more normal function gradually returns within the coming weeks.

If high quality acupuncture and homeopathy cannot be obtained promptly, an injection of short-acting steroid may prove beneficial in minimising resultant oedema of the spinal cord, in the early stages.

At the Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre, we have seen only one case in which very beneficial help did not follow on the line of therapy described. If we see cases after surgery has been performed, however, if the surgery has failed, we do not have such good results.

If a disc has ruptured in this way, it cannot cause further damage, since it cannot rupture for a second time. There may be other discs, however, which have been similarly weakened by whatever process weakened the first one. For this reason, we put in place a long-term homeopathic and dietary régime, designed to lessen that risk.

If this frightening condition affects your dog, take heart from the objective and realistic optimism that is based on past positive results. Most dogs come through this very well.

DISTEMPER

Prevention of distemper virus infection, using nosodes, in the place of conventional vaccination, is a controversial issue. There is no absolute proof that homeoprophylaxis is effective but many people up and down the UK are satisfied that it does work. My own dog has only been protected by nosodes and has met active distemper infection on several occasions to my knowledge. She has never shown any sign of illness, following such exposure.