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Valley Fever
What is Valley Fever?
VALLEY FEVER is carried by dust particles, mainly inhaled but can also be
absorbed through the skin on rare occasions from long term exposure to spore
infested dirt. It is impossible to avoid the assimilation of the spore…but
not impossible to support the body against it!
Should We Accept “Nizoral or Death” as the only
Answer?
Lisa S. Newman, ND, Ph.D.
This highly infectious disease of the Southwestern United States and
similar arid regions of Mexico and South America is seen by some
veterinarians as a canine plague, striking down all types of dogs regardless
of breed, age or history.
“Successful” allopathic medical treatment is based upon the antifungal
drug Nizoral* and symptom treatments (bute/asprin for pain, antibiotics for
infections, steroids for inflammation, Pepto for upset digestive tracts and
corn syrup to entice eating!) while they struggle through years of relapses,
often to face more serious bouts and secondary symptoms such as adrenal
malfunction, as the years go by. Alternative therapies including
nutritional, glandular, homeopathic and herbal support have proven very
effective in stimulating the body’s own defensives, while cleansing away the
fungal infestation and continuing to strengthening the body, rather than
burdening it further with chemicals.
Today’s frustration and fear due to this small fungal spore, resulting in
coccidioidomycosis – more commonly known as Valley Fever, is justified in
allopathic circles but…I have not found this to be true. From a holistic
point of view, treatment supports the body in healing itself, reducing the
possibility of relapse and definitely eliminates secondary symptoms most
commonly caused by drug therapy.
Most importantly, prevention is possible when a naturopathic approach to
dog rearing is followed. I would like to firefly discuss this before we go
into detail on alternative treatments, because most practitioners, even
holistic veterinarians, still seem to believe that there is no definite
“cure”, let alone possible prevention, but I have found in hundreds of dogs
I have documented that a toxic emotional and physical environment ALWAYS
precedes the onset of symptoms and I have yet to see one dog truly
naturally-reared never become symptomatic, even if they tested positive for
a fungal count. Eight years ago, I had 20 dogs who were given clean bills of
health by their veterinarians and had no symptoms, randomly tested and I was
not surprised by the results; 16 out of the 20 dogs tested positive, with
titer ranging anywhere from 1:4 to 1:32.
Therefore I do feel that most animals living in the southwest are
infected to some degree, but it is the state of the immune system which
determines whether or not an animal becomes symptomatic. Prevention then
must be recognized as a state where the body is non-symptomatic, regardless
of the titer count, and many dogs live out their lives infected but not
symptomatic.
Once the body is burdened through vaccinations, additives and such in the
diet, other chronic health problems such as allergies, medications
(especially steroids, which have been known to trigger many a relapse!),
toxic sprays and dips or emotionally stressful periods such as during the
death of a family member, human or animal, or divorce, the immune system
weakens and cannot “hold off” fungal development.
As it spreads, immune-supportive organs and glands, such as the adrenals,
begin to malfunction. With traditional allopathic care, especially Nizoral*,
the body has a struggle with the side-effects of the treatment as well as
the dis-ease itself! It is not uncommon for a client to call me, after years
of going on and off medication only to find it less effective as time goes
on but worse, it has begun to break down vital tissue such as that in the
liver and they are panicked because the vet now wants to stop the medication
before it causes more damage and have given the dog a death sentence because
they think that is all that can be done!
However, in most of the worst cases, even when drug intervention is
needed, a natropathic approach has reversed not only the symptoms but often,
has reversed the ill side-effects of previous medical treatments.
First, the fungus can be destroyed by various natural remedies. These,
are in the order that I have found the most effective: ImmunoStim’R
and Yeast & Fungal D’tox, Garlic Daily Aid, (megadoses - between 1000mg to
6000mg a day), grapefruit seed extract such as Nutribiotic, and homeopathic
products such as Azmira D’toxifier.
In only a few cases did only one ingredient do the trick, often it was a
combination of these or at least a rotation such as between the garlic and
herbs.
Often, a general cleansing program or short fast should first be pursued
to prime the body for healing, as toxic waste builds up from past diets and
medications, etc. will prohibit proper assimilation and interfere with the
healing process. Azmira D’toxifier is a homeopathic primer which can help
start this process. This alone can begin a settling of the strengthening of
the body, and many are surprised by the response especially in animals that
were already off their foods or having vomiting or diarrhea symptoms.
Diet should then be considered, as a fundamental element to any
successful healing program, and the more whole, natural foods you can feed
the better. Include plenty of fresh, raw sprouts and wheatgrass.
Beware of “natural” commercial diets…be sure that they are animal
fat-free (fats are very difficult to digest and stress the body more than
support it, as well as contain “contamination” levels of preservatives such
as ethoxyquin which is used to preserve the fat prior to manufacturing!),
contain range-fed meats (to avoid hormones, steroid and antibiotic residue)
and pesticide-free grains.
A high potency general vitamin & mineral supplement such as Mega Pet
Daily, to supply vital nutrients for cellular, tissue and immune system
support, in an easy to assimilate form, is necessary no matter how complete
your home cooked or commercial diet may be. Vitamin C should also be
included in however high a level can be tolerated (minimum 1500mg to 6000mg
per day divided into several small doses).
Other supplements should be used as needed, depending on the individual
needs of the dog. If the dog is of a very nervous nature, fearful or hyper
then Flower Power Remedies should be considered, as emotional stress
directly effects the immune system and can inhibit the benefits of other
ingredients. B-Complex 50 should be added for good potent daily doses
of the all important B vitamins, especially when the dog has difficulty
relaxing or sleeping soundly (necessary for reserving and replenishing
strength for healing). WARNING: Do not use yeast in excess, what is
available in most diets is sufficient. Excessive yeast will not be utilized
and becomes toxic to the liver.
If the cocci has settled in the bone and joints, with inflammation, pain
and lameness, then a natural anti-inflammatory such as our Yucca Intensive
(proven as effective as steroids and bute, without the side-effects!) and
Vita E 200 (200 i.u.’s per day) should be added. This is also true with
other tissue inflammation such as in the skin, liver, brain or lungs. When
the lungs are heavily involved, then our lung toners should be considered.
We have various homeopathic combinations for different coughs or fluid
buildup, and herbal extracts to repair and maintain lung tissue.
Secondary fevers and infections such as staph or strep should be targeted
with either garlic, goldenseal, or citricidal, all proven natural
antibiotics that are effective without compromising the body further as drug
antibiotics have been known to do.
When the dog is so badly off that drugs seem to be the only way, then by
all means, be sure to support the body from negative side-effects. Since
antibiotics (anti-life) destroy the friendly, necessary bacteria as well,
you must replenish this with acidophilus. Limit the time of drug treatment
as soon as you possibly can, within 4 days, may longer and the body starts
to suffer from the antibiotics. The same should be considered of Nizoral*,
with drug therapy only considered as a final solution, used less than six
weeks, it can give the body a head start if the titer is extremely high
(1:100+). Seriously, Nizoral* and steroids should be used very sparingly and
not at all, whenever possible!
Skin problems can be supported through topical applications of soothing
and healing extracts as in our Rejuva Spray.
Actual fever can also be present and responds well to homeopathic Ferrum
Phos. 6X. Glandulars should also be considered as supportive therapy,
especially the adrenals which deplete quickly when the body is stressed or
feverish. Liver and pancreatic glandulars can be especially beneficial when
there is loss of appetite and / or irritable bowel syndrome is included in
the secondary symptoms. In the very least a multiple glandular, such as
Biotics’ Neonatal MultiGlandular, should be included in your program to
cover general needs. Above all, Please remember that it takes nature a bit
more time to overcome the dis-ease, then it may seem with drug therapy.
Many people get frustrated with the time involved (generally 3 to 6
months to stabilize the situation, up to a year to complete re-establishment
of the immune system), not realizing that although they may have suppressed
a symptom with drugs today, it generally returns with a vengeance and is
less responsive to the drugs each time. When following a natural course,
symptoms may seem to “linger” longer, but the over-all condition of the dog
gradually improves and this must be acknowledged, to not give up hope to
soon.
Also, a lot of emphasis is placed on the titer count, but don’t be
discouraged by the titer count around 1:4. The count will often stay in that
range, even a bit higher, for years while the dog remains not only
symptom-free, but healthy. Even when there is a “relapse”, most commonly
what happens is a curative response where the body temporarily seems to
weaken and then rebound, and in fact is moving through another healing stage
(possibly throwing off more stored toxins), the dog will be much stronger
after that, rather than weakened.
Once the body has cleansed and is strengthening, symptoms will seem to
simply fade away…but we know the truth, THE WHOLE BODY IS RESPONDING AND
WILL ACTUALLY HEAL ITSELF, RATHER THAN FOOL ITSELF WITH SYMPTOM SUPPRESSION!
Unfortunately, many people will work very hard and successfully for
years, only to lose their dog, “suddenly” to a medication or vaccination
reaction. A case in point was when a client, who had successfully maintained
the health of her dog for three years following a near death experience from
Nizoral* toxicity (after being on it for two years). She then went to her
vet for a routine check up and current rabies vaccination.
The vet (after mentioning that the dog was in the best health he had ever
seen him in) noticed a very small, recent hot spot from an insect bite and
before the owner knew anything; he had given her dog and injection of
steroids, on top of the vaccination. Within 6 weeks all the old Valley Fever
symptoms returned with a vengeance!
When she returned to her vet as her dog quickly deteriorated, he looked
her straight in the eye and said, “well it’s not uncommon…we know that
steroids can trigger a relapse, just put him back on the Nizoral* and it
should do the trick.” She panicked and followed his instructions all the way
– only to have her dog die within two months after “suddenly” going into
kidney failure. Imagine how shocked I was when she finally broke down and
told me this story (very depressed that she had been so foolish not to have
called me first and use our Rejuva Spray or at least lemon juice, aloe or
calendula to heal the skin rather than the steroid and thus avoid the
reaction).
This is not uncommon…and it is not the vet’s fault – he was doing exactly
what he had been trained to do, treat that symptom with medication…it was
the owners responsibility to demand to know exactly what the vet intended to
do and then consent to allowing him to do so! To know her dog’s history and
how he had responded to medication in the past, (and how much better he had
done on holistic support…) and to have shared this information with the
veterinarian so they could evaluate their choices together. Also to know in
advance whether this particular doctor was “open” to this information to
begin with, or to have found one who would support her in doing what was
working, rather than what was expected.
Ultimately, it was the owner’s responsibility to pay attention to what
their dog might be going through and to utilize the proper medical and / or
natural support as needed, based upon all the available information.
Through naturopathic therapies, Valley Fever can be eliminated and the
body strengthened, or at the very least maintained symptom-free and healthy.
With all the information we now have about the negative side-effects of
medications and symptom suppression, and the frustration of relapses,
natural ingredients that stimulate the immune system and support the body in
healing are rapidly proving to be far superior and safer route to take.
A version of this article was published in
Natural Pet magazine Spring Issue 1995 and first appeared as part of
documented research in the fall of 1987.
*Nizoral
is a member of the chemical family CONAZOLES which includes similar commonly
prescribed drugs Sporanox, Diflucan.
Q & A
Q: After we stopped medication, The Valley
Fever symptoms returned within nine months. Now nothing we try will work,
the titer keeps rising and the medications seem to be making Buster sicker.
Why aren’t they working as well this time around? Can we do anything else?
A: Symptom suppression through medication
does not address rebuilding the immune system. Each time the symptoms come
back, the body weakens and cannot rebound as well. Dr. Newman’s Holistic
Animal Care LifestyleT stimulates the body to not only strengthen, but to
remain well.
FYI
Many dogs who have suffered from Valley Fever, and especially relapses,
have had one thing in common...emotional stress, particularly grief and / or
abandonment issues.
Frequently, we have found out that these dogs suffered the loss of a
close human or animal companion within six months of the onset of the
symptoms. Emotional stability is as important as nutritional stability when
it comes to supporting a strong immune system! “Clear” negative emotions
through proven homeopathics such FLOWER POWER REMEDIES!
Supplementation Is The Key to Boosting Health
When the body has been badly compromised by disease, it quickly depletes
vital nutrients and energies, necessary for healing.
These nutrients should be replaced by proper supplementation so that the
body can fuel its energies. Without it, the body continues to deplete its
reserves until there is nothing left with which to fight the disease.
Many things during illness also deplete the body, such as medications and
improper digestion of food. Steroids, antibiotic and especially Nizoral are
very hard on the body and produce several side-effects (which are often
treated with more medications!) One common side-effect to these, as well as
the Valley Fever itself, is a lack of appetite and poor digestion. This
leads to poor assimilation and lack of proper dietary intake.
The result is a more dramatic from in the levels of vital nutrients,
which perpetuates the loss of appetite, general weakness and lack of energy
associated with the disease. Proper supplementation can reverse this.
Products to Consider:
Mega Pet Daily
Provides vital nutrients for optimum health
and healing
ImmunoStim’R
Is a very effective immune system
stimulator
Yucca Intensive
Can provide relief for many inflammatory
and painful conditions, including tissue, bone and joint problems.
Garlic Daily Aid
Has natural antibiotic, antifungal, and
antiparasitic properties, benefiting the whole body and digestion.
Flower Remedies
Can provide relief for stress & emotional
issues known to trigger immune suppression
D’toxifier
Helps clear the body of toxins
This information is not intended to be used in lieu of
proper veterinarian care, but as a support to the process of natural
healing.
Since 1982, Dr. Newman has been a world
renowned pioneer in the field of natural pet care. The author of nine books,
including her latest, Three Simple Steps to Healthy Pets: The Holistic
Animal Care LifeStyle™, Dr. Newman is also the formulator of Azmira
Holistic Animal Care Products and Diets.
All Rights Reserved © 1987, 1995, 2004 by Dr. Lisa S. Newman
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