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Homeopathic resolution of ear problems and itchy skin in a Labrador Retriever.
Cure vs. palliation
An intact male yellow Lab, developed ear inflammation when he was only 4 months old (just after his puppy vaccines). By summer time, he was itchy all over. Over the next year he was given repeated doses of sulphur (in increasing potency/strength). The symptoms were palliated (better) for a brief time after each dose. Three other remedies were given with no overall progress.
In February 2007 (at 4 years of age), symptoms included ear inflammation, discharge, odor & pain, thickening of the earflaps, itchy feet and a callous on one elbow. He was very sensitive to pain and his guardian had trouble cleaning his ears. These symptoms along with the knowledge that vaccines contribute to allergies, led to the homeopathic prescription. After 3 doses, the ear symptoms were significantly better but the body itch returned. We waited for 6 weeks, during which time he continued to improve. Subsequent doses of the remedy (given every 4 to 6 weeks) resulted in brief aggravations followed by further improvement. By the end of the year the ear symptoms were almost resolved and the itching was sporadic (a curative response). When there was no further improvement with this remedy, he was given a different remedy in 6c solution. The skin and ear symptoms resolved over the next 2 months, So we discontinued treatment in March 2008. A month later the only remaining symptom was a small callous. As of April 2009, there has been no recurrence of ear symptoms. Though he has had brief episodes of itching, there has been no need for further treatment. This is a curative response: he is relatively symptom-free without the need for ongoing treatment.
Comments: Allergies are the result of a broken immune system and one of the primary causes is vaccination (because vaccines directly impact both the life force and the immune system). Vaccinosis (disease caused by vaccines) is passed from generation to generation. With the onset of symptoms at only 4 months of age, this dog was expressing inherited disease. The two remedies that brought about a curative response were both frequently used when treating vaccinosis.
It is worth noting that homeopathic remedies, like drugs, can merely palliate symptoms (cause temporary improvement). But the goal of homeopathic therapy is to cure the patient (when cure is possible) such that symptoms resolve without the need for ongoing treatment. Another important difference between homeopathy and allopathy (conventional medicine) is that with homeopathy, no two animals are treated the same way. Potency, dosage schedule and the order in which remedies are given must be determined for each animal. Rote prescriptions are not part of homeopathic therapy. Thus, the treatment protocol that cures one pet may not work for another animal, even if that animal has similar symptoms.
case submitted by: Stephanie A. Chalmers, DVM, Diplomate ACVD, CVH
Holistic Animal Care, 4/14/09