Minutus

I'm wondering if I might pick a few brains for homeopathic or other suggestions.

My friend has a geriatric, neutered, male chihuaua. Has had 2 stifle surgeries for Cranial Cruciate Ligament issues in both knees in the past. As he ages & knees hurt him more, he both loses weight & is also redistributing it away from his hind legs. He seems to be aging more quickly now, and as the most vulnerable (healthwise) in a pack of 4 little dogs, is suddenly finding himself on the receiving end of some negative behavior from what was once & always one of his buddy dogs.

He has mitral valve prolapse, with a 6 out of 6 grade heart murmur.

He recently has developed a occasional cough which his Trad Vet diagnosed as a collapsing trachea, and has prescribed him Torbugesic (butorphanol) daily, in attempts to reduce spasms in trachea.

Would anybody like to weigh in with any ideas, especially regarding the heart & trachea issues?

Gratefully,

Diana

I think we need to concentrate on relief for the acutes; it's a bit late for addressing the underlying issues, perhaps. I'd recommend a couple of non-homeopathic items first: CoQ10 and some fish oil, and tincture of hawthorn. Or you could use homeopathic crataegeus. I have had great results with that, for myself and for several older dogs and a couple of friends. It seems to strengthen the heart and brings relief to the feeling of insufficiency.

It's likely that the trachea problem is laryngeal paralysis, very common in old dogs. I surely wouldn't use such a powerful drug just for this occasional symptom. Arsenicum seems to work to calm spasms and generally strengthen. I'm sure others will have suggestions, too. It sounds as if his buddy dog, could use a remedy, too:)

ginny

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Ginny Wilken

gwilken@fastmail.fm

Hi Diana,

It is really not enough to go on, you have only described the pathology, not the dog.
Homeopathy treats the dog:-)
How does he compare to other chihuahuas in terms of build, proportions, genetic traits?
What is his personality?

You might include these rubrics:
MIND - FEAR - injury - being injured; of
LARYNX AND TRACHEA - CONSTRICTION - Trachea
CHEST - MURMURS - cardiac murmurs - valvular
GENERALS - OLD AGE - old people; in

(Ars has all four, but there are maybe ten other remedies to consider depending on his type and other features. The right selection matters; a wrong match can be worthless.)

Also you can use very low potency crataegus oxycantha (instead of the hawthorn berry herb which can be toxic to dogs) for general heart strength.

I would look at food supplements:
New Zealand Green mussel extract
Vit E
CO-Q-10
Fish oil
Vit D,
Check Zinc level in food

and diet:
High animal protein (fish/meat/egg)
Anti-inflammatory foods (so salmon and smaller fish; but not large fish like tuna, no pork)
Gut protocol with dog-fermentable fiber, 1/2 teasp pumpkin (for carotene and fiber), beneficial bacteria
Animal fats only.
NO herbs, fruit or vegetables

If you need a canned food check out the cat food called PurrfectDinner (add dot com to find it, do not look at other flavors or products there)

Namaste,
Irene
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Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.
P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.
www.Furryboots.info
(Info on Feline health, genetics, nutrition & homeopathy)
"Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it."