Think of Diseases Like a Tree

Let’s be a bit more specific on the second example of a 6 year old yellow Lab with allergies that occur year round but flare up every year in the spring and summer.  These started at 2 years old but have been getting worse each year and there are repeat visits to the vet’s office for ear infections, skin infections, itching and occasional vomiting.  There are many manifestations here with the itching, stomach upset and infections but the root cause is not so easy to identify.  Think of all the things that happen to a dog by the time they are six years old….lots of stuff….but how many of these things are factors to the allergies and secondary problems.  The root cause here would likely involve multiple things such as genetic tendency towards allergic problems, an inappropriate diet with lots of grains, fillers and low quality ingredients, multiple vaccinations, toxins from the environment such as pesticides or herbicides and multiple other things.  Here, there are many things that should be addressed to help this animal.  If the owners and veterinarians are treating each episode of ear infection or skin infection (hot spots) or itching separately with antibiotics or steroids, then only the branches and leaves are being addressed and the problems will continue to recur over and over.  What else can be done to minimize all of the manifestations?  This is where you have to discuss things with your veterinarian.  Are you feeding the ingredients (not the brand name)…that your dog would choose and needs?  Look at the label on the food and read the actual ingredients.  If your dog was out in the country, would it go out to the corn or soybean field and start munching away or would it be chasing that bird, rabbit or squirrel?  That’s what I thought!!  How often is she vaccinated and how many at a time?  Does she need all of those or would it be adequate to check antibody titers to see how high the levels are before introducing something else into the body that changes the immune system?  Remember that allergies are related to/dealing with the immune system the same as giving a vaccine or fighting off an infection. 

How is that vaccine going to change the immune system and is it going to set off the allergic symptoms again?  Are there alternative products to pesticides or can you decrease the frequency of application of those products?  Are there supplements, herbs or medications to help modulate the immune system?  Have you thought about allergy testing and desensitization injections?  These are the types of things to ask your veterinarian.  Think about the root of the problem and the end goals of the treatment.  Does it symptomatically treat the problem or does it treat the underlying cause of the problem?

 

This same metaphor can be applied to any medical problem whether it is an ear infection, respiratory infection, limping, cancer or anything else. Remember that medicine is the science and art of healing….things that are intended to prevent or cure disease.  It doesn’t matter if the healing comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic manipulation, nutrition and supplements, pharmaceuticals or surgery as long as it works.  You have to find the balance between slower acting natural treatments to address the core/root of the issue and quicker acting pharmaceuticals that provide symptomatic relief.   The answers and options are out there and certainly no single veterinarian has them all so do some research and find out if your veterinarian is treating the branches and leaves or the roots.