SAFIE is a Devon Rex aged 18 months. She has been micro chipped and spayed, and received the usual vaccination shots as a kitten and an annual booster. She was being given Advantage on a regular basis. Her diet was dried biscuits and tap water. Her first fit occurred soon after purchase, with paddling, frothing at the mouth, fixed glassy eyes, rigid body and urination. The urine had a strong odour. The fits would last about one minute. Afterwards she would pass multiple small stools and seek her bowl of water and food. Her breathing was hard, her tail jerky and she would groan as if trying to expel air. Her second fit occurred 2 weeks later. A change of voice was noted. Fits became a regular weekly occurrence, beginning with stretching her front legs and restlessness both before and after the fits. A slight tremor was noted in the right fore and hind legs and she would always fall to the right hand side during her fits. Her mouth would open and shut and when recovered, would leave it slightly open. She looked angry.

There was no specific time that the fits occurred. Her urine became blood stained after several multiple fits (3-4 in one day). The fits proved exhausting both for cat and owner. Safie had not played during all of her kitten hood, and just lay around the house between fits. Blood tests indicated only slightly elevated urea.

The first step was to change the diet, and stop further chemical flea and worm treatments. Safie was given raw minced chicken and ox heart with a little cooked mashed vegetables stirred well into rhe meat. She was fed twice a day. Her water was now filtered. She was also given a herbal / homeopathic combination of worm control. I have noticed in the past that chemical wormers are not that effective as worms have been passed after the herbs have been administered. Safie needed a clean healthy gut as part of her recovery program.

There were several homeopathic remedies considered but I chose Belladonna initially to allow some breathing space for both owner and cat. She was also given Kali Phos Tissue Salt daily. Following one dose of Belladonna 30c — Safie had a small fit the next day. She was sitting on her owner’s lap and a spasm went through her body and she made a little meow. A small amount of urine was passed. She developed a little cough ‘like something in the back of her throat’.

The Belladonna was repeated the following week. Again there was one small fit of a body spasm, no frothing, her eyes remained open and a little urine passed. There was no odour to the urine now. Safie began to play for the first time in her life and would run up the highest tree in the back garden and leap onto the roof, much to the owner’s delight / dismay!

Her fits were reduced to one a month if that, with no more than a momentary shudder. No more urination.
The owner forgot the Belladonna dose one month and Safie had two fits in the one day. A repeat of the Belladonna saw Safie return to normal.

The owner was on a limited income and further consultation costs became a factor. I was happy to leave Safie on her Belladonna once a month and Safie continues to remain in good health.

JEDD — A CASE FOR PHOSPHORICUM ACIDUM
From Sarah Mulvaney ,Dip HAT (Hons)
President Holistic Animal Therapists Association.

Male German Shepherd
Referred by Veterinarian

C/O Acute Grief

H/O Female mate died suddenly 1/12 ago. Had been together for 11 yrs. Were husband and wife. Had raised puppies together. Never been apart.

Now Jed has become a very old dog. Looking for her. Sitting by her grave. Almost collapsed. Had to be taken to Vet, heartbroken family thought he was dying too. Thought he might already be dead. No interest in anything. 'Prostrate with grief'. Refusing to go out in car to see horses, which they both loved doing.

Another Vet said he had a stroke and gave him steroids. Made no difference. Referral Vet contacted by owner who felt this was not right.

O/E Normally a good guard dog. Jedd barely noticed I was there. Lost weight, looked in poor condition. Not eating. Eyes heavy and sad. Not interested in anybody.

Owner reports Jedd is very sensitive to feelings, and she and her husband are devastated, now feel they are going to lose Jedd too (the dogs are their children).

Tx Gave Phosphoricum acidum 30c. Dose 2 drops, 4 x daily for 2 days.
Plan: If no improvement owner to phone to ? change remedy, or dose, or to give some Bach Flowers.
Outcome: Owner rang week later. Different dog. Playing, eating, putting on weight, eyes better. Very pleased to see other family members, barks at strangers, happy to go and see horses again. Family thrilled.

Phosphoricum acidum was chosen for — depressed, apathetic, almost dead inside. Indifference to external events, Collapsed state from grief.

A SMALL CASE OF CLASSIC PHOSPHORUS
Rottweiler male, 8 y.o. History of gastric torsion 3 years ago.

Became restless 2 hours after tea. Would demand to go outside where he would bring up quantities of liquid and food. Owner thought he might have eaten something that didn’t agree with him, as the vomit smelt strongly of garlic although he had not been given any at mealtime.

He was given Nux vom 30c every hour for two doses with no effect.

Owner watched carefully. Changed the water in his bowl. Dog took a long drink and immediately went outside and threw the lot up.

When the animal drinks cold water and it is bought up as soon as it reaches the stomach, this is Phosphorus.

One dose of Phos 30c and the dog settled immediately.