Case Studies

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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/