Matthes, the sticky Retriever

“Matthes”, a flat-coated Retriever cross, came to me because of chronic eye inflammation and recent onset itching.  He had been adopted from the Humane Society November 1, 2005 when he was approximately 9 months old. Just before adoption, he was neutered and vaccinated.  One week later he developed a cough, green nasal discharge and fever.  In spite of antibiotic therapy, the symptoms worsened and he spent 2 days in the emergency hospital on IV fluids and antibiotics. He was revaccinated in Dec. 2006.  Eye discharge began in July 2007 (diagnosed as allergic keratoconjunctivitis).  Itching began in October.

At the time of the initial homeopathic interview (Dec. 2007) there was eye inflammation (in spite of the use of eye medication), lack of thirst and poor coat quality (thin, dull, sticky, clumping).  He was eating a raw diet and had normal energy.  The coat was sticky in the areas that he was licking so I assumed that the stickiness was due to viscid saliva (a result of not drinking). At this point I could not discern whether vaccines or drugs played the greater role in the disease.  Because of the yellow-green eye discharge and the lack of thirst, I began therapy with remedy P* (a drug remedy) in 6c potency, given every 3 days.  By Jan. 24, 2008 the eye symptoms were better, he was drinking water (though not every day) and his coat was less sticky.  By Feb. 26 the eye inflammation was resolved.  However, he was not drinking at all and the coat was dull, more sticky and tangled.   Remedy P was partially curative: it did not cover the whole case.  Remedy T (single dose 30c) was given on April 3 because of the suspicion of vaccinosis (disease caused by vaccines). On May 7, his coat was shiny (first time), and no longer dry or clumped. His guardian was especially impressed with the change in his behavior: more responsive, attentive and affectionate.  By June 10 there was very little itch and he was drinking on his own, but his coat was a little sticky and there were a few mats.  So a second dose of remedy T was given on June 13.  He became itchier June 21, while on a road trip. The coat was sticky though still shiny and he wasn’t drinking enough water.  In August (on returning from vacation) we resumed remedy P because of the thirstlessness and because it follows remedy T.  The day after our consult he developed a cough for 3 days, then had 1 episode of vomiting.  My interpretation was that he was revisiting and resolving the initial respiratory infection that had been treated with antibiotics (Nov. 2005).  Following this “aggravation”, the drinking and itch improved. On September 15, he developed a new symptom (nausea at the smell of food) indicating that we were finished with remedy P. I dispensed remedy C (6c solution), to be given every 14 days. After 3 doses (Nov. 18), the itch was resolved, and he was drinking enough to maintain adequate hydration. His coat was full and shiny and there was no stickiness.   We gave 3 more doses and then stopped all therapy (Jan. 12, 2009).   He has been asymptomatic since then (as of August 2009). 

Follow-up: On June 5, his guardian took “Matthes” to the local vet to remove the head of a tick.  A tick panel revealed positive titers for Borrelia and for Anaplasma so doxycycline had been prescribed.   I explained that most cases are asymptomatic and that after homeopathic therapy his immune system should be strong enough to prevail against these microbes.  No antibiotics were given and he remains symptom-free.

* These case reports serve to demonstrate the homeopathic process and principles.  Thus, the remedy names have been omitted.

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