Question Details
Heartworm In A Dog
by CorinneC - December 9, 2024    View Case Report
Apollo is a 3yo MN Pittbull X Lab rescued from Texas that is HWT positive. At resuce found to have a large sarcoma mass on cranial aspect of LH hock. Had sarcoma removed as well as another more benign mass with rescue. Cleansed for all parasites but HWT. He has been on Doxycycline 3 tab of 200mg BID for at least 30 days, just finished. O really struggling with giving Advantage Multi as part of Mox-Dox treatment plan - is a human TCM practitioner and knows these medications are not harmless, wants a holistic approach if possible.

Started on Critical Immune (from US, mushroom blend with turmeric). Fed freezedried food, some kibble. Good appetite. BMs WNL.

Only coughs upon waking in am, some days worse than others. Hoarse, non-productive, sometimes sounds like he's clearing.

On PE he is a lovely Earth boy, tongue is centrally lavender, tips are pink and thin, dry centre; pulses are wiry, narrow, superficial; elbow pads both elephantine and hairless; fleabitten appearance to coat with many small scars all over and scrotum heavily scarred SQ as apparently at rescue the dogs were left loose and he was often attacked/bullied.

I diagnosed him with Blood Stagnation/Stasis, Heart Qi deficiency, Liver Blood deficiency due to cough, HXT diagnosis, poor coat and rough elbows, hx of sarcoma removed from LH hock.

I started him on modified XFZYT and XCHT for anti-cancer properties, to tonify Blood, smooth Blood, relieve Liver Qi stagnation, improve and tonify Qi, reunite Yin with Yang. In reading the smaller Dr SM book as well as Dr Cynthia Lankenau's paper, I see that it is possible to cure HWT with Black Walnut, Ginger, Andrographis, Garlic, Wormwood, Thyme, and Peppermint. I would love to add these on but I don't have the foggiest idea on where to start with dosing? Also the O was concerned that some of these may be harmful to Apollo? and she wondered about the worms chunking off and becoming a potential pulmonary thrombosis? It has been so long since I have studied this and I am not familiar with some of these herbs. Is there a formulary I can go to? In your Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Marsden, you mention a suggested formula of 14ml Ginger, 9ml Wormwood, 4ml Garlic, 14ml Thyme, and 9ml Cinnamon with a recommended starting dose of 0.1ml of tincture per 5lb of BW, divided into 2-3 doses per day. You also mention adding in Bromelain to help break down dead worms and stop the risks above (30mg/lb BW divided into 2-3 daily doses and given 2 hours before or after meals)? Then retesting in 2mth to see effectiveness? I imagine the Wormwood is the biggest risk with neurotoxicity? I wonder about using Wormwood 5 days on, 5 days off?

Sorry to ask such a broad question, but I really want to help this boy out (I may even adopt him he's so freakin sweet!). Any guidance you can provide is as always, MUCH appreciated!

Corinne
Replies
by naturevet
December 11, 2024
Hi Corinne,

I've never seen an animal have an issue with Wormwood at that dosage. How you've started this dog out is great, though, if the owner doesn't want to pursue any anti-parasitic approach. The tincture is likely much safer than conventional treatment, that's for sure. I first used that tincture in an old decrepit Sheltie and they did great with it. Best not to push the owner into anything, though, but remind her Wormwood is used commonly in Chinese medicine, too. Bromelain is what people use to 'digest' the parasites as they die, through it's proteolytic action. Again, I've never seen an embolism from heartworms breaking up and would consider the risks of that much higher with conventional treatment, yet nothing in their protocol addresses it.

It sounds like this is all in the owner's hands at present. You've started they way I would have. The ball is in her court at this point. She might be one to get to sign a form acknowledging any risks if she decides to proceed.

Steve
by CorinneC
December 11, 2024
Brilliant Steve, thank you! Off to throw the ball in her court - wish me luck, I throw like a 3yo girl according to my husband!!! lol
Corinne
by CorinneC
December 12, 2024
Ok, so the O asked if I can get granular forms of the herbs that you have mentioned in tincture form. I asked Marci and she can do the Wormwood, ginger, and cinnamon. Any thoughts on a good/reputable company for the rest in tinctures?

Sorry to be a pest, I just really want to help this boy,
Corinne
by naturevet
December 12, 2024
I haven't seen thyme and garlic as granular extracts. I actually used to use a small amount of fresh garlic, as described in the Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine. So that leaves thyme, which she has in her kitchen. For the tincture version, I think New Directions is a reputable company
by CorinneC
December 13, 2024
Thanks so much!!! Such great service while away!!
Corinne
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