Ranger, a 13-year-old black English cocker spaniel, sat trembling on his owner's lap. He looked up at me with nervous brown eyes as his stubby tail wiggled back and forth. His guardian smiled and greeted me as I entered the exam room. Ranger was scheduled for surgery to remove eleven large, nasty looking skin masses that were located all over his body. A prior visit included special testing which identified these tumors as common benign cystic tumors of the skin's oil glands (called sebaceous adenomas).
Something bothered me about this surgery, so I began talking to Ranger's guardian about alternative medicine. He had never heard of homotoxicology, but he liked the idea that Ranger might have formed these masses as a response to toxins inside his body. He also liked having an option that might spare Ranger a painful surgery. After a discussion about treatment options, he elected to try some detoxification therapy with homotoxicology agents. In the best case, some of these masses might reduce, and in the worst case, nothing would happen and we could reschedule surgery knowing that the pain and expense were medically necessary.
According to basic bioregulatory medical principles, I prescribed a simple combination of homotoxicology formulas which stimulate cellular detoxification and drainage, and reduce toxin accumulation in the skin and lymph. One of the herbal ingredients, Galium aparine, has been used for many centuries as a deep detoxification agent. In homeopathy, bee venom can be diluted and is useful in management of skin conditions and cysts. When used as an extract it can be very helpful for many issues including arthritis. When homeopathically prepared and combined with other substances it is a highly useful geriatric agent known as Galium-Heel.
Ranger did not know any of this information. He was just happy not to have surgery that day, so he hopped off the owner's lap and they both walked happily to the reception desk to pay their bill and make a recheck appointment for two weeks later. They missed their suggested two week appointment and came in one month later; and to my surprise all but one of the eleven masses were completely gone!
Ranger's dad said happily, "Doc, this was crazy. Just like you said, some of the masses turned grey and some turned red and then the grey ones just faded away and vanished. The red ones got "juicy" and then dried up and fell off!" The first ones that changed started the next day following starting the detoxification agent. He was also excited because Ranger was brighter and more playful and his arthritis seemed improved, too.
"He's just younger all over," he exclaimed.
I smiled in knowing disbelief. Even though I've been doing this work for many years, it never ceases to amaze me how some patients make such amazing responses with simple techniques designed to activate their own natural system defenses. My clinic's veterinary surgeon looked at the dog, nodded and laughed, "there goes another surgery."
I'm fortunate to work with professionals whose true goal is healing. They get happy when patients recover and don't need more invasive therapy.
The remaining mass was exactly placed in an acupuncture point called GV-20 which is important in maintaining awareness. This point is on the top of the head in a place that people rub instinctively when they are thinking. We discussed this point, and its importance, and the owner elected not to do surgery since the body might well have biologically elected not to remove this point for some other reason. Older patients need to maintain good circulation to their brains and we did not want to do anything that might negatively affect Ranger's cognitive abilities later in his life.
In natural medicine, the location of masses on important acupuncture points may give us a clue that the underlying tissue needs further assistance. The mass was benign and not harmful, so we decided to simply remove it if it grew or changed. In the five years since this occurred the mass has remained stable.
That year we saw over 50 benign skin masses resolve without surgery through the use of natural medicine like herbs and homotoxicology. Most of these were sebaceous adenomas or sebaceous cysts. After that we stopped counting. It's just something we do on a regular basis in integrative veterinary medicine.
A year later I presented Ranger at a veterinary conference and other veterinarians began doing this technique, too.
The idea of fewer pets needing surgery makes me smile.
And I am grateful to a human physician from Germany named Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg for creating the formulas we use and for writing his experiences down so other doctors could learn from them. This is how medicine should work. A clinician discovers gentle, nontoxic things that seem to assist in patient recovery. He or she then communicates this to others who find similar experience. This apparent success and apparent repeatability warrants further responsible scientific research in three spheres:
I just returned from the biannual International Society of Homotoxicology and Homeopathy in Baden-Baden, Germany where I lectured to a group of human physicians and health care providers about an integrative medical approach to a complex veterinary case. Brilliant work was presented at that conference, particularly a paper by Brown University professor Georges St Laurent. Dr Laurent presented a paper entitled, "The genomic landscape of homotoxicology at single molecular resolution." The talk was spell binding for research geeks like me. Technology has finally progressed to the point where scientists can examine specific locations of molecules and record activity there. Dr. St Laurent's work shows conclusive evidence of molecular genomic activity from homotoxicology agents. This is brilliantly done basic science (category 1 above) that clearly shows an understandable mechanism of action for these agents.
Research from category 2 above demonstrated that human diabetics benefited from use of an antihomotoxic drug called Lymphomyosot used in combination with alpha-lipoic acid. Other human studies have shown that homotoxicology drugs such as Traumeel have anti-inflammatory effects in basic biological studies as well as in category 2 studies involving single agent applications. In a study comparing Zeel, an anti-inflammatory homotoxicology agent, with a conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, investigators found similar outcomes in tested groups with the Zeel group taking longer to reach its effect but not having significant, or life threatening adverse effects. A recent paper, published in the prestigious Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association supports its use in dogs.
Thanks to sophisticated advances in scientific methods, medical research on homeopathic and antihomotoxic agents is beginning to accelerate, and it is exciting indeed to watch people awaken to the possibilities their use carries for modern medical reform and advancement. Veterinarians are contributing to this motion both by publication of critically important case reports and case studies, but also in the development of species and problem specific research. The idea of a therapy that works in cooperation with biological regulation opens all sorts of doors to improving outcomes and reducing adverse effects associated with many standard pharmaceutical agents. And this stuff works in plants and animals making the argument that it is all placebo laughable. Using drugs at lower concentrations to gently stimulate the body's natural defenses, instead of using them at higher doses which strongly suppress vital physiological mechanisms creates an entirely new set of tools for doctors and health care professionals to consider.
Ranger didn't know the science behind the six drops of liquid he drank three times daily. But he sure was happy not to have 10 surgeries, and his guardian still tells the tale every time he comes to our office. His enthusiasm for natural therapies applied in a scientific environment is contagious and he seems to be causing an epidemic of people interested in learning more about these gentle techniques.
That is one epidemic I welcome!
I love to read about people's successes in addressing both simple and complex veterinary issues with natural medicine. Please share them with us here at Huffington Post. And for those interested in joining me in supporting research into complementary and alternative veterinary medicine, visit the AHVMA Foundation website for further information at www.Foundation.AHVMA.org. Happy New Year.
Interesting Reading
Banerjee A, Pathak S, Biswas SJ, Roy-Karmakar S, Boujedaini N, Belon P, Khuda-Bukhsh AR. 2010. Chelidonium majus 30C and 200C in induced hepato-toxicity in rats. Homeopathy. Jul;99(3):167-76.
Bonamin LV, Endler PC. 2010. Animal models for studying homeopathy and high dilutions: conceptual critical review. Homeopathy. Jan;99(1):37-50.
Frenkel M, Mishra BM, Sen S, Yang P, Pawlus A, Vence L, Leblanc A, Cohen L, Banerji P, Banerji P. 2010. Cytotoxic effects of ultra-diluted remedies on breast cancer cells. Int J Oncol. Feb;36(2):395-403.
Garofalo S, Briganti V, Cavallaro S, Pepe E, Prete M, Suteu L, Tavormina P. 2007. Nickel Gluconate-Mercurius Heel-Potentised Swine Organ Preparations: a new therapeutical approach for the primary treatment of pediatric ranula and intraoral mucocele. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. Feb;71(2):247-55.
Heine H, Schmolz M. 2000. Immunoregulation via 'bystander suppression' needs minute amounts of substances--a basis for homeopathic therapy? Med Hypotheses. Mar;54(3):392-3.
Kassab S, Cummings M, Berkovitz S, van Haselen R, Fisher P. 2009. Homeopathic medicines for adverse effects of cancer treatments. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Apr 15;(2):CD004845.
Khuda-Bukhsh AR, Bhattacharyya SS, Paul S, Dutta S, Boujedaini N, Belon P. 2009. Modulation of Signal Proteins: A Plausible Mechanism to Explain How a Potentized Drug Secale Cor 30C Diluted beyond Avogadro's Limit Combats Skin Papilloma in Mice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Jul 16.
Längler A, Spix C, Edelhäuser F, Kameda G, Kaatsch P, Seifert G. 2011. Use of homeopathy in pediatric oncology in Germany. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011:867151.
Liu H, Tong F. 2003. [Advances in the study of bee venom and its clinical uses]. Zhong Yao Cai. Jun;26(6):456-8.
Neumann S, Stolt P, Braun G, Hellmann K, Reinhart E. 2010. Effectiveness of the Homeopathic Preparation Zeel Compared with Carprofen in Dogs with Osteoarthritis. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. Dec 16. [Epub ahead of print]
Shah-Rossi D, Heusser P, Baumgartner S. 2009. Homeopathic treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana plants infected with Pseudomonas syringae. ScientificWorldJournal. May 20;9:320-30.
Valentiner U, Weiser M, Moll I, Schumacher U. 2003. The effect of homeopathic plant extract solutions on the cell proliferation of human cutaneous fibroblasts in vitro. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. Jun;10(3):122-7.
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And there is good evidence that using it with a homeopathic agent called "lymphomyosot" actually makes this effect stronger. In the future more people will learn about this treatment and suffer less for having that knowledge!
Practicing with the integration of both medical worlds in mind ; miracles happen.
Thank you Dr. P for all that you have done for my furry family members and all that you are doing for animals world wide.
Bravo
I adopted a young dog from the shelter about 16 months ago (she and the cats get along amazingly well). She's been in bouyant health but recently was diagnosed with a yeast infection in her colon, I cringed when they gave me the anti-fungal/poison, but the inflamed colon can be dangerous so I felt backed to a wall. She's past the infection but I've noticed that she occasionally wakes up with stiff joints -- at 2 years old!! I am going to do what it takes to better support her health. Thank you for the information in your article -- I'm sure you've helped a great many animals... I know what you've shared will go toward helping me come through for my dog and cat family!!
Dr. Carlsen has taught us a lot about prevention and non-intervention unless absolutely necessary and this has bought us longevity with a high quality of life for my pets.
Yes, Prevention is key... and respect for "non-intervention unless necessary" so often gets lost in the confusion about what treatments actually work, but it's vital, too. Thanks again for your wise words.
Several healers have been sucessfully performing Tong Ren healing on animals for over 5 years.
No negative side effects.
I finally contacted a vet in MA (DVM, equine vet) with over (25) years experience treating with homeopathic remedies... well, after (6) months of costly bills and no solution, he nailed the kitty's problem within (45) minutes. (She was too small for her age and her metabolism was creating havoc on her entire system - of course, I thought her high-energy was cute!) Anyway, she stabilized within a week, and... the past (5) years, has had very, very minimal flare-ups with her sores.
There are more details to the story, of course, but I'm trying to give the short version. Both my cats have benefited greatly from their homeopathic vet's experience and knowledge. Yay!!!
http://sospanyol.piczo.com/?g=46143337&cr=7
PLEASE write re: the alarming increase of auto-immune diseases; vets who recommend more/new vaccines contrary to vet school protocols; overuse of 5-1 vaccines. Titer tests are so expensive--why?
Pharm greed is awful but I believe 1st problem is that most vets not only prescribe but SELL meds; I've met few who will write (less costly) prescriptions.
After 3 months of fruitless search for a rescue BC, I bought a ranch-bred pb. Now 2 yrs, she had 1st year DA2PP & recent titer test showed she's still protected.
The nutritional angle of disease management is considered every day by every veterinarian I know..that statement you made is false.
As for your description of Heart worm Treatment, a bit over the top but in the ball park. But, that disease is entirely preventable and very cheaply so. The irresponsible owner of that pet, not the veterinarian treating it, would be a better choice for your wrath.
What is a "bio medical vet"? Did your Bio Medical Vet treat that dog? My guess is he did not.
The new treatment for HWD, immiticide, is much less severe than the old thiacetarcamide treatment. If you wish to avoid complications you can use the class 3 protocol and cut them considerably. There is no other way to do it because you must kill the worms and they must go to the lungs for absorption. There no other options..none. What did your Bio Medical Vet claim he or she did?
The vet industry is booming with the very same medical specialists that treat humans - there are now more than 23 veterinary specialties. Just like humans, our pets lead long and sick lives.
Two decades of research into illness prevention, using nature as a template, took me in the direction of paleopathology, zoopharmacognosy (animal self healing), primatology, and ethnobiology. I learned an enormous amount about wellness by studying the animal kingdom.
My personal opinion is that feeding pets such as cats and dogs the Frankenfoods in cans and bags (much of which is dispensed by vets) that pretend to be pet food is a major contributor to their illnesses. The same is true of feeding our own bodies the junk most humans eat.
My wife and I are "staff" to two magnificent Tonkinese cats that are tenth generation raised on their natural diet. Hopefully, they will never see the inside of a vet's office. They are in perfect health, have beautiful coats and teeth, and a great disposition. They eat virtually all parts of raw organically raised ground-living animals, and munch on grass occasionally to act as a purgative. They have never eaten anything in a can or a bag.
A description and references on what nature evolved humans to eat can be found in “The Wellness Project.”
Roy Mankovitz, Director
http://www.MontecitoWellness.com
A research organization
Your cats sound wonderful.. would be an honor to be their "staff", I'm sure!!
I have treated sebaceous adenoma many times. There is no link to that disease and "detoxification" ( one of the biggest scams out there ). Interestingly, the skins sebaceous glands are involved in physiologic detoxification and quite resistant to toxic effects. The claim that these masses "fell off" is laughable. I suspect the underlying fact here is misdiagnosis of SA when in fact the lumps were of some self limiting type. Please folks, don't listen to this stuff. I have seen far too many pets die of this quackery. Get a second opinion, go to a specialist or a University..please.
Biopsy (Antech) is the only way I identify a mass.
Now, my un-studied self has observed, as many text books have mentioned, that that breeds with a more developed sebaceous apparatus more prone to SA. I guess these guys just got unlucky with the toxins..right? I alsohave noted that SA is not that common but toxins are ubiquitous. I cannot for the life of me see why that disease is not filling up my lobby..as toxins certainly are. You would think a causal relationship, in the classic form, would exist.
What toxins are you speaking of? Why are the kidney, liver and blood born oxidizing mechanisms insufficient? Have you measured actual excretion of these "toxins" in controlled studies..preferably double blind?
I usually use a radio / CO2 laser method to remove cutaneous masses.
You write:
'""The skin is one of our largest detoxification organs. [...] Toxins readily penetrate the skin and gain access to the body where they must be handled."""
Read what you wrote and I am sure you will see ( my un-studied self did..so you gotta see ) the rather bold internal conflict in the remark.
In any case..you write like Dana..un-sourced statements, laced with opinion and you use a demeaning rather than constructive style. Look guy..I aint no shoe salesman..I know your racket.
There are GOOD reasons that you do not see real cures in certain chronic diseases such as SA...not until you learn to how to use real and effective homeopathic medicines (though you've already proven how little good you do...thanx for THAT honesty!). You acknowledged that you've "treated" many animals with SA, but didn't say that you've provided any benefit. Heck, you even suggested that other veterinarians that get real benefits have "laughable" results...that is so so sad that you characteristize healing animals in such spiteful ways.
Are you comfortable going where you are going with this.
You write:
"""There are GOOD reasons that you do not see real cures in certain chronic diseases""..and how do you KNOW what you say? Are you a psychic too? When did I say that? reread what I wrote.
What I said was ( and leaned it From Dr. Clemons at the U of Florida Veterinary school..a CAM guy ) was the vast majority of heath problems brought into a medical environment will take care of themselves..without treatment, mine or yours. I said that malignancy is not such a thing and needs treatment..but I sad nothing of my successes. You made that up. What I said was the claim that these masses fell off was laughable..that mutually included the fact that I don't believe the author..you can if you like.Now, rather than hock junk on the internet..I have built a state of the art animal hospital..put 2 million of my own money it it..TO HEAL ANIMALS.
Actually it seems you are the hustler here. I don't mind if the public knows the truth..you seem to. And please NOTE all those that are reading..I don't post leads to my business like Dana does.
You should write for a GOP political blog.
""""I sincerely hope that you tell ALL of the caregivers of animals you see as patients that 70% do NOT need to see you. Please provide evidence of this ethical action.""""
if it is ethical, what is your beef? You don't proof read what you write do you..and you aint no Shakespeare. Frankly, that statement is incoherent.
Second, the practice of "First, do no harm" makes sense for treating animals too, not just humans.
Third, I do not know people who are "against" hospitals or even "against" all conventional medicines...smart people just prefer safer methods FIRST (and perhaps second and third) before using more risky, dangerous medicines that provide short-term benefits but often suppress the disease process to deeper and more serious health issues.