Case Studies

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Flash, a faithful eight-year-old entire male New Zealand Heading Dog, presented with concerns around chronic arthritis and prostate enlargement. He was purchased as a farm dog at the age of eight years. He was emaciated on arrival, his joints were inflamed, he was aggressive and anxious. Radiographs confirmed osteoarthritis of the elbow joints and spondylosis of the spine. His digits were swollen due to osteoarthritis. His coat was dry and brittle. He also had mild urinary incontinence, dribbling after rising and urinating. His prostate was enlarged, and due to his age, the owners were reluctant to surgically castrate him and looked at alternate options for management. 

Treatment Goals: The aim was to create a state of active and robust health by reducing joint inflammation, prostate enlargement and anxiety. Due to his age surgical castration was declined. 

Integrative Treatment Plan: A combination of chemical castration, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, pentosan polysuphate, herbal tincture, fish oils, deer velvet, essential oils and glucosamine/chondroitin was prescribed. The herbal tincture comprised Devil’s Claw, Gotu Kola, Turmeric, Withania and Nettle Leaf. When Flash appeared sore Corydalis was added to the above. The essential oils were oral Frankincense and Copaiba. 

Outcome: Flash’s general demeanour improved significantly on the above treatment regime. He exhibited less sensitivity over the back and was much more comfortable. The swelling of the digits has decreased significantly. His coat became shiny and glossy. He was a happier less reactive dog with an improved zest for life and vitality, happily going on 10km walks daily. This case demonstrates how conventional and complementary medicine can be integrated to create a superior outcome. The use of conventional prostate treatment was maintained in conjunction with herbal and dietary support, resulting in an exceptional outcome. Flash was the author’s dog - he lived to 15 ½ years of age with a great quality of life.  

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Roscoe is a handsome 3 ½ year old intact male Bernese Mountain Dog. He presented with severe pyotraumatic dermatitis (hot spot) involving an approximately 10 x 12 cm2 area on the caudal dorsum.

Roscoe was sedated and the area was clipped and cleaned. Treatment involved a combination of three topical essential oil blends and oral Chinese herbal therapy.

Wipes containing cajeput (Melaleuca cajeputi) essential oil (EO) were utilized for their antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities. Cajeput EO also aids in wound healing and helps calm and soothe irritated skin; it also has an overall calming effect – perfect for a hot spot!

Following gentle cleansing with the wipes, a topical antiseptic EO spray was applied. Ingredients include cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), lemon (Citrus limon), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) oils.

Finally, a topical blend containing helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), lavender (Lavendula angustifolia), rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), and rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) was selected. Helichrysum and lavender act synergistically to promote wound healing, rose geranium is a cellular rejuvenator and facilitates wound healing by increasing collagen migration to the damaged tissue. Rosewood is a cellular stimulant, helping to repair compromised tissue.

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A case study in progress... Charlie is a beautiful, energetic two year old female spayed German Shepherd. While charging up hardwood stairs, Charlie stumbled and then began limping on her right hindlimb.  Radiographs ruled out a fracture and Charlie was diagnosed with a cranial cruciate rupture.

Following three months of rest and oral anti-inflammatory medication, Charlie was still limping.  On initial presentation, she was still not completely bearing weight on the right hindlimb.  She guarded the limb even with gentle palpation and emitted a soft, low growl for the first time during my examination.

An essential oil blend consisting of basil, ginger, helichrysum, lemongrass and rosemary was started with application to the affected stifle three times daily.

• Basil (Ocimum basilicum) - anti-inflammatory properties, helps relieve swelling and pain
• Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – anti-inflammatory properties, helps relieve swelling and edema
• Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) – analgesic and antioxidant properties, helps relieve swelling, and facilitate wound healing
• Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) – analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helps support ligament/tendon repair
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helps relieve swelling, pain and stiffness

Charlie is still on exercise restriction (leash-walking).  She received targeted pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (tPEMF) and takes an herbal supplement.

Six weeks later (4 ½ months after her initial injury), Charlie has improved significantly.  Charlie will continue to be monitored and re-evaluated; digital thermal imaging will help evaluate how inflammation and pain are resolving with the use of the essential oil blend.

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Rudyard is a 9 year old male, neutered Devon Rex cat. Rudyard has a history of chronic, painful toes and toenails on both hind feet.  Many of his nailbeds had dark brown discoloration at the base of the nails.

Malassezia spp. yeasts are common inhabitants of feline nail folds, especially in Devon Rex cats, and the presence of a high number of yeasts on cytology correlates with the clinical observation of brown, greasy material in the nail folds. His diagnosis was chronic pododermatitis and paronychia.  Cytology and culture and sensitivity testing revealed a mixed bacterial and fungal (Malassezia pachydermatis) infection.  All other lab testing was within normal limits except for stress hyperglycemia and eosinophilia, and the infection was presumed secondary to environmental allergies (or food allergy).

A custom blend of 50% Purple Bee Balm hydrosol (Monarda fistulosa) and 50% German Chamomile hydrosol (Matricaria recutita) was created.  Matricaria recutita hydrosol is known for its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects along with wound healing properties. 

Monarda fistulosa was selected for its antiseptic and antifungal properties. Monarda fistulosa has a very similar chemical composition to Thyme ct (chemotype geraniol), which is one of the gentler varieties of thyme, but well known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Therefore, this hydrosol combination was expected to exhibit strong antibacterial and antifungal effects, but also have a high safety profile for use in cats, even if the patient were to lick his toenails after application and ingest a minute amount of the blend. 

The owner was instructed to gently scrub the affected toes and toenails with a cotton-tipped applicator or gauze pad daily to remove as much exudate as possible, followed by application of the blend with a moistened cotton-tipped applicator to affected areas. 

After 14 days, the owner reported a dramatic reduction of exudate and brown discoloration of the nailbeds, as well as increased comfort and reduced grooming of the hind feet.  Subsequent physical examination revealed complete resolution of clinical signs.  The owner continues to use the hydrosol blend for Rudyard as needed to maintain comfort and prevent a recurrence of infection.

References

Catty S.  Hydrosols, The Next Aromatherapy. 

Colombo S, Nardoni S, Cornegliani L, Mancianti F. Prevalence of Malassezia spp. yeasts in feline nail folds: a cytological and mycological study. Vet Dermatol. 2007;18(4):278-283. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.2007.00592.x

Malassezia dermatitis in Dogs and Cats: https://vetmed.illinois.edu/2019/04/16/malassezia-dermatitis-dogs-cats/