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BOTULISM
C. Edgar Sheaffer, VMD Nov.2011
“Truth is a hard master, and costly to serve, but it simplifies all
problems.” [Ellis Peters, Brother Cadfael’s Penance© 1994]
George MacLeod has been in his grave over sixteen years; his
words and teachings are still saving thousands of lives every
day. The principles that this MRCVS, DVM (veterinarian)
espoused are eternal truths and will vindicate all who practice
them.
In conventional allopathic medicine, certain conditions are
considered incurable. Temporary relief may come with
aggressive drug therapy, but when the drug stops, the patient
will regress. Two such conditions are - Botulism and Canine
lupoid dermatitis.
BOTULISM ON A DAIRY FARM
When Botulism occurs on a farm it often appears as an
epidemic. Although not spread by coughing, sneezing, or urine
like most transmissible large animal diseases, there is an
ominous atmosphere on the farm, because it is not always
possible to know which animals ate contaminated feed.
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Dr. J was recently called to a grass-based dairy which had two
recumbent cows, unable to rise and one which had already
died. A fourth cow though weak was still standing with hay
hanging out of her mouth. The tongue had some muscle
strength, but she had no rumen activity.
Investigating as a good veterinary epidemiologist, Dr. J adroitly
searched for the truth. He discovered wrapped baleage as the
most likely cause of the disease outbreak. All cattle had access
to the suspect forage; Dr. J insisted that the baleage be
removed and that only dry hay be fed until the baleage could
be analyzed.
In addition to feeding different forage, each exposed cow was
dosed with a probiotic daily- Fastrack Ruminant Gel. Each
exposed animal also received at least one dose of a
homeopathic combination remedy containing Nux vomica 30c.
Due to financial issues, no other therapy was given at that time.
Laboratory results on the wrapped bale analysis confirmed
(fungal) myco-toxin and many Botulism spores.
Laboratory findings on the baleage: Positive for Botulism Type B
spores by mouse bioassay; Positive for Botulism Type B gene by
real time PCR.
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Certainly, Dr. J’s search for the truth and his quick intervention
saved this farmer from disaster. Removing the offending
baleage, and immediately dosing with helpful natural therapies
saved the herd; Only three died, 47 heifers and cows are still
alive today.
BOTULISM – NOT JUST A CATTLE DISEASE
Another farm’s epidemic emphasizes how serious a Botulism
outbreak can become. Initially, six Holstein cows were found to
be off feed, while one horse and three mules could not swallow
anything. All livestock had access to baleage, wrapped and
unwrapped, and silage.
Botulism is a rapidly fatal motor paralysis caused by ingestion
of toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This
spore-forming anaerobic organism proliferates in decomposing
animal tissues and plant material. [The Merck Veterinary
Manual, Tenth edition, 2010, pg.552].
SYMPTOMS OF BOTULISM TOXIN
1. Sudden loss of appetite - generally from the inability to
swallow.
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2. Horses and mules stand for hours over the watering trough
trying to drink. Cattle hold hay in their mouth.
3. Paralysis spreads to the muscles of the limbs and the animal
goes down. Cattle look like they have milk fever.
4. Paralysis further spreads to the respiratory muscles and the
heart resulting in death.
HOMEOPATHIC and SUPPORTIVE CARE
Botulism takes patients quickly; human patients surviving more
than one or two days are comatose for weeks or months. The
human patient is usually placed on a respirator and treated
with anti-toxins, IV fluids and IV nutrition. All such intensive
care must be continued until the patient regains his ability to
breathe and swallow.
The picture that we have seen in large animals requires
continuous nursing care and frequent homeopathic dosing.
Treatment must be immediate and aggressive, oral fluids being
the number one action to be taken. As soon as any paralysis is
observed give the appropriate homeopathic medicine followed
by oral fluids and probiotics.
In one outbreak we saved one horse and one mule. From 5 AM
to midnight the patients were dosed hourly. Since manpower
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was not available to treat the cows in the same manner, all the
dairy cows succumbed to the deadly toxin.
POSITIVE STEPS TO BE TAKEN
1. Work closely with a homeopathic veterinarian especially in
selecting of the remedy.
2. Give nutrition and fluids by stomach tube. If using an oral
syringe give fluid slowly and help the patient to swallow if
possible.
3. If the animal cannot stand, provide plenty of clean dry
bedding and roll the patient from side to side.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of your therapy hourly and be
open to change as needed.
PERSONAL ACCOUNT of BOTULISM TREATMENT
“The children volunteered to be the nurses. They said that they
did not mind losing sleep if it would save life. Each hour they
dosed with a homeopathic medicine. A few minutes later they
would slowly give a pint of gruel that we had run through the
blender. The gruel consisted of oatmeal, honey, yogurt,
applesauce and warm water.
From midnight to five AM we allowed the patients to sleep. On
the second morning right after we gave Lachesis muta 200c, the
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horse got up walked to the water bucket and took a long drink.
After that each time we gave a dose of Lachesis 200c or
Lathyrus sativa 200c, she drank and ate on her own. Sometimes
she would lie down immediately after eating or drinking, but
then rise again after the next dose of homeopathic medicine.
We covered the bed sores with Calendula ointment several
times daily. They are healing well.”
The mule began to recover the following day, and because the
family committed to constant care, both the horse and mule
survived. This is a brief list of homeopathic medications with
keynotes that we have found useful in large animals with this
condition:
Belladonna – sudden onset, patient is hot, throat constricted,
mucous membranes are dry.
Gelsemium sempervira – weak, dull, and droopy; there may be
trembling of the limbs and all responses are sluggish.
Hypericum perforatum – nerve and muscle weakness, especially
of the back and limbs; patient is unable to stand but still may be
able to swallow.
Lachesis muta – cannot swallow liquids; hates being handled
and touched, cannot bear tight halters, collars or girths.
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Lathyrus sativa – may prescribe in any nerve paralysis state;
long track neuritis with frequent urging to urinate.
Nux vomica – Toxic indigestion from spoiled or moldy feed
(grain, haylage, baleage); constipation with straining to urinate
or to pass manure.
CANINE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE
“Lennie” an 11 year old German Shorthair Pointer had been ill
for several months when his owner contacted the homeopathic
veterinarian. The diagnosis based on physical signs with
laboratory confirmation was Canine Lupus, or Hereditary lupoid
dermatosis. According to conventional information available,
this disease is fatal and no successful treatments have been
reported.
The dog’s symptoms were as follows: muscle wasting, weight
loss, lethargy, corneal opacities with loss of vision,
thrombocytopenia, and general dermatitis with a rash. In
addition, he was beginning to have symptoms of bronchopneumonia despite prescriptions of antibiotics and prednisone.
Side effects of these drugs resulted in extreme thirst.
The tone of the first consultation put this case in the urgent
category. Fortunately, the owner was able to procure
homeopathic Phosphorus 30c and begin treatment
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immediately. Dosing three times daily led to much needed
changes in symptoms.
First, the patient’s energy improved as did the appetite. Lab
values usually will not change for weeks, but already in three
days the excess thirst was becoming more normal. We
recommended follow-up blood tests in one month.
Ten days after the first dose of Phosphorus 30c, it seemed time
to add a second medicine to address the core illness. At that
time Lennie had been weaned off of allopathic drugs, including
prednisone. His energy continued to improve as did his
appetite. His diet began to be fortified with more animal
protein – cottage cheese, yogurt, and meats. The next
prescription – Crotalus horridus 30c once daily.
Fifteen days into holistic therapy, Fastrack Canine Gel (Conklin
Company) began to be offered daily along with the richer diet.
Each day thereafter the owners noted improvement in eyes,
coat, and muscle tone. Finally, the color of Lennie’s gums had
returned to a normal healthy pink.
Twenty five days – “He is definitely more muscular, and his eyes
are clear. His hair coat looks like that of a healthy dog.”
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Thirty five days –“A normal platelet count! Already Lennie has
gained back five pounds. All values of diagnostic tests are
normal at this time.”
Prescription – Crotalus horridus 30c SID for five more days.
Please continue the better whole food diet and Fastrack daily.
HOMEOPATHY COMES TO OHIO
By 1830, thirty years before the Civil War, homeopathic
practice had become well established in Pennsylvania and New
York, but states farther west had yet to experience the
blessings of a homeopathic physician. Lay persons carried first
aid medicines west in Conestoga wagons often in a basket with
sewing material. Because the early pioneers’ experience had
been so positive, most welcomed homeopathic doctors into
their community, not so with Cincinnati, Ohio.
Joseph H. Pulte, MD, a graduate of the University of Marburg in
Germany and the Allentown Academy of Homeopathic
Medicine in Pennsylvania, had a desire to settle in St. Louis. Like
Lewis and Clark before him, Pulte learned that new
opportunities occurred every day in the growing town of St.
Louis, the Gateway to the West. The young physician wanted to
demonstrate the truth of homeopathy to western explorers,
pioneers and settlers.
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In 1840 he was in route, stopping in Cincinnati, Ohio. There he
met Dr. Wilhelm Sturm, a fellow homeopath and decided to
open a small clinic. He soon discovered that truth is indeed a
hard master.
“When Dr. Pulte began practicing in Cincinnati, many people
were so angered by a homeopath being in town that they
pelted his house with eggs and drove logs through his carriage
wheels. He was becoming discouraged enough to think of
leaving. His wife said, ‘Joseph, do you believe in the truth of
homeopathy?’ He replied in the affirmative. ‘Then,’ she said,
you will stay in Cincinnati.’”
“Shortly after, when the cholera epidemic swept through, Pulte
was able to boast of not having lost a single patient, and quickly
was accepted into the community. In the epidemic of 1849,
people crowded to his door and stood in the street because the
waiting room was full.” [Julian Winston, The Faces of
Homeopathy, 1999, pg.40].
Pulte’s success as a homeopathic physician kept him in Ohio.
He endowed Pulte College in Cincinnati in 1872. This institution
merged with the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College in
1911. At Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College Dr. Pulte
served as chair of clinical medicine and homeopathy for years demonstrating the truth of homeopathy to many.
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CONCLUSION
We do not refer to the principles of homeopathy as laws, laws
can be changed. Homeopathic principles are truths which can
be demonstrated over and over. Whether taught by
Hahnemann, or Hering, or Pulte, or MacLeod, the information is
useful for today as it was 171 years ago. The medicines are
applicable for first aid, for boosting the patient’s immunity and
in serious life threatening conditions like Lupus and Botulism.
Submitted by: C. Edgar Sheaffer, VMD
Bonnie M. Sheaffer, RN