Veterinary Homeopathy

Clinical Case: Brain tumor in Canine

White Little Poodle Dog Wallpaper

Dra. M.V. María Carolina González Gómez presents a discussion of brain tumor in dogs and cats, followed by a case illustrating the effectiveness of homeopathy.

[email protected]

Introduction:

Brain Tumors in Dogs and Cats

Cancer that affects different tissues that make up the brain, is underdiagnosed in elderly dogs and cats. A relative tendency for brain tumors has been found in young animals (Boston Terrier and Boxer breeds). The development of a brain tumor (Homeopathy Treatment for Brain Tumor) usually has serious consequences in patients, generating impotence in the majority of guardians. However, these tumors vary widely in their level of malignancy and some can be treated effectively. Unfortunately there are many things that are still not known about the development and evolution of the different types of brain tumors in dogs and cats.

  • The term brain tumor means simply a mass of cells in the brain. Brain tumors are classified as primary or secondary according to the origin of the tumor cells.
  • Primary brain tumors: this category includes meningiomas, gliomas, papilloma of choroid plexus, adenomas, and pituitary adenocarcinomas, among others.
  • Meningiomas are primary brain tumors of most common presentation in dogs, cats and humans. These tumors are originated in the membrane arachnoid meninges. Meningiomas should not be considered as brain tumors in the strict sense, but they are classified together because of their location within the cranial cavity and action invading and compressing the nervous tissue. These tumors occur more frequently in dolichocephalic breeds such as the Golden Retriever. Meningiomas tend to grow relatively slowly and are susceptible to be treated (although malignant forms can be found).
  • Gliomas: these tumors originate in the glial cells and include ependymomas, astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas and glioblastomas Multiforme. They are common in certain brachycephalic breeds, such as the Boxer, the Boston terrier and the Bulldog French and English.
  • Papilloma of the Plexus choroid: choroid Plexus tumors are relatively common in dogs. Due to the location of their cell of origin, they tend to arise within the ventricular system, and can block the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid; therefore, a small tumor can cause very severe neurological signs.
  • Adenoma or pituitary adenocarcinoma: the pituitary gland lies beneath the forebrain and is attached by a stalk to the hypothalamus. Pituitary adenomas are common in dogs causing hyperadrenocorticism (central origin Cushing’s disease).
  • Others: There are other forms of brain tumors whose discovery is exceptional.
  • Secondary brain tumors: these tumors spread to the brain tissue from a tumor present in another part of the body. Tumors that commonly secondarily affect the brain are: Hemangiosarcomas, Mammary carcinomas and Melanomas. The prognosis in these situations is usually very bad since they have already spread through the body. Whenever you suspect or confirm a diagnosis of brain tumor, routine practice should be to take chest x-rays and even carry out ultrasound of abdomen to check that there is no evidence of tumors in other parts of the body.

Signs caused by brain tumors

Symptoms and signs caused by brain tumors are due to the mechanical compression or invasion of surrounding tissues. The resulting signals are directly related to the area of the brain affected and are not  tumor-specific since any disease that affects the area of the brain will produce similar symptoms.

The forebrain

The forebrain is responsible for thoughts, behavior and the final integration of sensory information. Therefore, the tumors in the tissues of the forebrain, can cause:

  • Abnormalities in behavior, such as loss of learned behavior, depression, etc.
  • Increase or decrease in appetite and thirst
  • Constant movement or walking in circles
  • Sometimes, affected animals behave as if they suffered pain
  • Onset of seizures is the most common sign in animals with affections of the forebrain. These seizures can occur along with any of the other signs listed above, or present themselves as sole anomaly. Whenever a dog or a cat older than five or six years of age has a seizure, it is important to take into account the possibility of a brain tumor. (Note: the case of the ‘Micky’ is within the preceding description).

Brain stem

The Brain plays various vital functions, including the regulation of motor function, the level of wakefulness, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The sense of balance also arises in the brain stem. The nerve paths that control movements and the sensitivity of the face, eyes, throat, larynx, tongue and the muscles of mastication originate in this portion of the brain. The tumors in this region can be rapidly fatal if, for example, they affect the control of respiration. Usually the first manifestations of disorders of the brain stem are the vestibular signs and weakness in one side of the body. There are a wide variety of additional signs, such as difficulty swallowing, change in phonation and involuntary movements of the eyes. The progression of symptoms can lead to paralysis, coma, and death.

The cerebellum

The cerebellum controls coordination of movements and interacts closely with the vestibular system for balance and posture control.

Diagnosis

It should be suspected that there might be a brain tumor when there have been neurological signs in an animal of more than 5 years old. It is important to understand that, with rare exceptions, brain tumors are tumors of soft tissue and not become manifest in x-rays of the skull.    Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computerized Tomography (CT) is used with excellent diagnostic methodologies.

The following consecutive steps are recommended to arrive at a diagnostic presumption before an MRI or a CT

  • Full general objective examination and neurologic examination, particularly in order to identify other health problems and locate neurological signs in a particular area of the brain.
  • Blood routine to rule out a systemic problem and step count to assess anesthetic risks.
  • Chest x-rays to check that there is no evidence that the cancer has spread to the lungs (a common site of metastases) .

Treatment
Conventional brain tumors treatment options include surgical removal, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and palliative treatment of the symptoms.

  • Surgery: in the case of tumors located in the forebrain, they can be extracted along with the tumor, some surrounding tissue without causing undesirable effects in the long run. Meningiomas tend to be housed in surface areas and therefore are the best candidates for surgical removal. Gliomas are more difficult to remove, since they are deeply included within the cerebral network.
  • Radiation therapy: since nervous tissue cannot tolerate large doses of radiation, the total applied dose is limited and must be done under general anesthesia. If the animal is affected by a very large tumor mass, it is preferable to remove it surgically if possible in order to initially decompress and then make chemotherapy sessions.
    Chemotherapy: the brain is protected by the blood-brain barrier of various potentially harmful molecules that circulate in the blood. This protective barrier limits the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents. As a result, chemotherapy has not been advocated for the treatment of brain in dogs and cats tumors and very little is known about the efficacy of such drugs in these patients.
  • Palliative treatment: if any of the treatments mentioned above is a viable option, it is possible to treat only secondary symptoms caused by a brain tumor. For example seizures, edema, etc. As many clinical signs are due to the presence of edema, some animals show a dramatic improvement within 24 hours of starting treatment with corticosteroids. This response is often of short duration, since this drug is not removing the tumor, but you can certainly give patients a variable time of good quality of life.

Prognosis 
It is important to understand that the majority of brain tumors can be treated, but not cured. Therefore the main goal of treatment is to achieve a good quality of life, the longest time possible. Another critical point is to understand exactly what is meant when we present data on the efficacy of the treatment. Progression-free survival is the time that the animal survived without worsening of clinical signs. This gives a better idea of the meaning of quality of life.

  • When symptoms are more intense and severe the worse is the prognosis and outcome (“Micky” case).
  • The bigger the tumor, the result is expected to be worse. (Mickey’s case).
    • Supratentorial tumors (tumors of the anterior brain) have a better prognosis than Infratentorial tumors (tumors in the brainstem and cerebellum) .
  • With Meningiomas the therapeutic results obtained are better than with tumors that are within the brain tissue (e.g. gliomas)
    current research.

Actual Researchers:

Dr. Natasha Olby and Dr. Matthew Breen of the Group of genomics Neurology of canines at State University College of Veterinary Medicine in North Carolina, are conducting research on different types and degrees of brain tumors in dogs and recognize that very little is known about how long is the survival rate in dogs without treatment, compared to those treated with surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.

Key words

Brain tumor, chronic disease, suppression, Homeopathy vs. Allopathy

Objective

A successful clinical case will be discussed to demonstrate the virtues and scope of Homeopathy

Method

Detailed Description of the Clinical Case

Clinical Case

Patient: “Micky”. 12 year-old neutered male, Poodle dog.

  • Reason for inquiry: 13/04/13 – Brain Tumor (Adenocarcinoma?, Meningioma?), in the left frontal region, measuring 2 cm Long by 0.8 cm wide. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance was requested by M. V. F. Pellegrino, specialist in Veterinary Neurology and performed on 17/01/13. See annex 1
  • BiopatographyHistory: “Micky”, can be considered the “symbolic son” of a childless couple. They have Mickey since he was 45 days old. As a puppy he was very restless.
  • Previous illness:

Recurrent itchy Dermatitis.
-Recurrent, chronic Otitis, every 3 months! Owners have always a gel with (dexamethasone, norfloxacin, ketoconazole). 2 months ago he was medicated with (dexamethasone, norfloxacin, ketoconazole
-Prolapse and anal redness.
-On March 30, 2013 “Micky” presented a strong convulsion which ended up “spinning in a circle”. He later suffered a severe epileptic status, forced to admit him in an emergency clinic. Once he recovered from the status epilepticus, he remained lying down, still with opisthotonos for 4 days. During two intermitent opportunities he had to be induced into a coma with barbiturics due to the intensity of the seizures. When he regained consciousness, “Micky” did not recognize anyone, he raved and gave turns in a circle. Given the severity of the clinical picture and with evidence of a brain tumor, the forecast was reserved to severe.

  1. V. specialist, F. Pellegrino after a week of hospitalization without clear clinical improvement recommended euthanasia. You have to understand that in terms conventional medicine “Micky” had reached a very advanced, near-terminal state of the disease. With this said it seemed like it would not predicted any other possibility from the medical paradigm…
  • The keepers of ‘Micky’, as it was mentioned above, are a childless couple. Being a puppy’ Micky’ occupied the place of the son that they could not have. Therefore, they hoped someone could find a solution to the problem. In addition, to the treatment that the specialist had stated: dexamethasone, clonazepam and phenobarbital.
  • On 13/04/13 they got in touch with me by the telephone, asking me for a home consultation. I remember entering the Department and seeing the patient lying down. ‘Micky’ had very bad overallstate, dull, poorly connected with the environment., I had to pick him up and to hold him; he stood up with difficulty and only gave turns in a circle to the left.
  • Behavioral symptoms (historical)

-“Anxious”, when visits arrived he would not stop barking

-Disobedient
-Shattered things in the House

-Often masturbated and had ej-aculation with copious amounts of semen.
-Seizures: preferably appear when they had him in the car or with a full moon.

  • General symptoms (historical)

-Loved to sunbathe and to be covered up (obviously a predominantly chilly patient).

Repertorization

Prescription:

Belladonna 1 L/M, daily. Clonazepam x 0.25mg, Tablet, every 24 hs., phenobarbital x 15mg, 1 tablet in the morning and 1 ¾ to night and dexamethasone.

Note: The patient continued with the medication that had been prescribed to him by the specialist.

Evolution 
29/04/13: The patient gradually returned to being the ‘Micky’ he used to be, walking normally, owners noticed he seemed less lost, saw more, the expression of the face was vivacious, drank plenty of water, increased appetite, and barked!

Physical examination: an abscess appeared on the right side of the foreskin, 2 cm wide. The abscess opened, drained during 2 weeks. The pus was orange and at the same time, it was clearly observed that the patient had marked improvement in his general condition.

The patient presented yellow scabs on the skin of the whole body.

RP / Belladonna 2 LM, daily, to reduce the Clonazepam and suspend the dexamethasone.

06/05/13: Anal redness!! The patient presented this symptom 7 years ago!

RP/Belladonna 3 LM.

20/05/13:  The patient did not sleep as much, barked all the time, he was not restless as before and walked faster. Two days after suspending dexamethasone several pustules appeared in the abdomen. The patient presented very good appetite and he was vital with full energy.

Physical examination: postural reactions are better than in the previous controls.

RP / Belladonna 4 LM, suspend the Clonazepam.
01/07/13: The patient is complaining, calls out, walk straight and fast, almost runs!

Physical examination: presented pruritus with periocular blackish discoloration, and bite the forelimbs (as always).

RP / Belladonna  5 LM. Phenobarbital compressed 1 every 12 hrs.

15/07/13: The patient presented a single seizure of short duration and intensity.

RP / Return to the initial dose of phenobarbital. Liver 4 CH, 7 drops every 12 hours. Continue with Belladonna.

09/09/13: Excellent overall condition, rejuvenated, increased weight, weights 5 kg! Had new coat and continued improving and sporadically presented every month or every two months one or two mild seizures. He continued taking phenobarbital.

07/04/14: The patient has not presented convulsions, takes only 1 tablet of phenobarbital each /12 hours, excellent overall condition. Physical examination: bilateral otitis, mainly on the left side. (Old symptoms that were abolished many years ago).

RP / Belladonna 23 LM,  Phenobarbital is suspended.

02/07/14:  No convulsions from January of 2014! This is very good!

RP / Belladonna, continue increasing the power every 21 days.

08/09/14:  14th patient’s birthday. “Micky” is in excellent general condition.

09/29/14  Considered that “Micky” has lived 2 years of gift…

The patient is very vital, no more restless, walking 15 blocks.

RP / Continue increasing power of Belladonna every 21 days.

10 /11/14:  General condition is excellent.

RP /  Belladonna 33 LM.
01/04/15: Patient has had no seizures for a year a half. Two days ago he had 2 seizures after his owners cleaned his ears.

RP/Phenobarbital 0.5 mg, 1Tablet c / 12 hours. Belladonna 39 LM.

01/05/15: It’s Easter, Red Moon, worsened with the full moon, and presented several seizures. Patient was spinning in a circle.

RP /. Phenobarbital 0.5 mg, Tablet. Belladonna 41 LM, 1 tablespoon, every 2 hours, until the effect of the Red Moon lasted.

14/07/15: from 01/05/15 no seizures returned , patient has been very well, owners noticed that he was drinking much water, more than before.
I referred him to an urgent care clinic to be hydrated and he died when being admitted.

He died at age 15 due to acute renal failure. Patient did not provide any seizures before dying.

Analysis of the case 

  1. Thanks to the miasmatic suppression chart, created by Dr. Prafull Vijayakar (see annex 2), we can see the voyage of ‘Micky’
    through his disease.

The brain tumor was located in level 6 – nervous system and also in the level 7 – cell – sycosis -syphilis, for being a cancerous condition. From this location the toxins descended to level 1 – ectoderm – Sycosis, when he presented an abscess in the skin, which discharged for 2 weeks.

  1. Toxins also decreased to the level 4 – mesoderm-kidney, noting an increase in water intake. Dr. Prafull has called this phenomenon the compensatory cure.
  2. During treatment, the body always sought to carry toxins to the ectoderm (anal redness, periocular alopecia, yellow crusts scattered all over the body, otitis).
  3. The laws of healing were met. After suppressing the otitis for many years, it finally reappeared smoothly and without secretions.
  4. Seizures decreased in intensity and frequency. “Micky” was without convulsions for a year and a half.
  5. “Micky” died on July 14th 2015. When he was 15 years old. The patient had been very well in earlier days, but finally acute kidney failure led him to death.

Thanks to homeopathy the patient lived two more years, enjoying a good life quality.  The conclusion of the Veterinary specialist with conventional academic education had been euthanasia!

Conclusions and comments

There are no limits for homeopathy, and it is important to convince us of this assertion, leaving myths and prejudices instilled by conventional medicine. Thus we can co-create another story in which the real cure is feasible. Doors and borders will be opened giving rise to hope and making real the supposedly impossible.

                                                       Bibliography 

  1. services/neuro/brain tumor.html
    North Carolina State University College of medicine veterinary medicine.
    2. Miasmatic suppression chart of Dr. Prafull Vijayakar3. The Art Of Curing, Organon Sixth Edition. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. Translated by Dr. Gustavo Pirra. Paragraphs 273-275.
  2. The miasmatic suppression chart created by Dr. Prafull Vijayakar
  3. Radar Repertory 8.1

6. Treaty Homeopathic Materia Medica:  Bernardo Vijnovsky, one tome, page 247.

About the author

María Carolina González Gómez

M. V. María Carolina González Gómez - M.P. (Argentina) Is Co-founder and professor at the department for veterinary medicine (1991 – 1993) of the Fundación Instituto Colombiano de Homeopatía (F.I.C.H.) “Luis G. Páez”. She is Associate Teaching Professor for veterinary homeopathy, (November 2005- 2012), Coordinator of the monthly workshop Forseeable Homeopathy for Veterinarians (August 2008- 2011) at the Asociación Médica Homeopática Argentina. Prof. González Gómez is also a specialist in veterinary homeopathy for small animals, of the Professional Counsel of Veterinarians, as well as a lecturer for various courses and seminars at universities in the country and abroad. www.homeopatiavet.com.ar http://www.homeopatiavet.com.ar/educacioncontinuada/curso.html

1 Comment

  • Thank you Dr. Gómez for this excellent article and wonderfully worked case. It demonstrates what is possible in the hands of a skilled practitioner.

    Martin Earl

Leave a Comment