skin and health problems common in english bull terriers

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THE NOT SO BALD FACTS You may remember the feature on Cyd's skin problems a few years ago - it made quite depressing reading. At last something is working

Some of you may remember Cyd – the English bull terrier who had struggled with skin problems since we got her from Bull Terrier Rescue in 1993. The last time I wrote I was convinced Cyd’s skin problems were due to a faulty immune system. Antibiotics always cleared the infections but they quickly returned once the treatment was completed. I was using homeopathy in an attempt to heal Cyd’s immune system and thus eliminate her skin condition.

Homeopathy had been my last hope. Unfortunately for Cyd this did not prove to be the saviour I had longed for. Cyd’s condition continued to worsen until it got to a stage where I was ashamed to let people see her. Her entire body was covered in open wounds from which toxins and blood would emanate. This was not the fault of the homeopath – who never had the luxury of actually meeting Cyd – but perhaps a reflection of my desperation to “cure” her. The homeopath suggested that if the discipline was given a full two years Cyd may be returned to the best health she had ever enjoyed. I chose not to wait. Cyd was already nearly 11 and I didn’t want my dog to spend what potentially could be the end of her life in this uncomfortable state. I resigned myself to putting Cyd on antibiotics and the consequences thereof. Last time she had developed kidney dysfunction which thankfully cleared once the offending brand had been replaced. Weighing up the options I chose clear skin over longevity on Cyd’s behalf.

Cyd had been on antibiotics for a couple of months when I received a letter from Fanny Philbert at Herbaticus telling me about their herbal products. There were a couple of combinations recommended for healthy skin and would I like to try Cyd on them? Thanks, but no thanks, I said, I am done with experimentation. I have condemned my dog to a shortened lifespan but one of comfort and I consider this option the lesser of two evils. Fanny was sympathetic but persistent. The products could be used alongside antibiotics so what did I have to lose? We discussed Cyd’s symptoms further and she said she’d send me some supplements anyway.

Cyd’s herbal additions comprised of a powder, pressed tablets and capsules, easily given at mealtimes, twice a day. I started her on these in August 2000 and the following month her mountain of antibiotics had dwindled away and I decided not to renew the prescription. Like homeopathy I had been warned that, with herbal supplements, Cyd’s skin eruptions would occur in cycles – something would worsen before improving, then it would worsen again but to a lesser degree before improving once again etc etc. The theory was that the cycle would lengthen and the magnitude of the problem would decrease until there was no problem at all. The improvement part of the cycle had never kicked in when Cyd was on homeopathy so I was rather sceptical about this presumption.

I was amazed, however, to witness this happening. Aggressive patches of spots and boils would appear, for example, on her neck or the inside of her thighs. After some weeks they would dwindle away to be replaced by a smaller crop. These too would disappear, the cycle ending with small scaly patches which soon healed to nothing. The products were clearly having a positive effect on Cyd but progress was slow. Fanny questioned me further about Cyd’s skin and amended the supplements, changing the capsules and adding one other. In November Cyd started the following daily regime:

1 teaspoon of Wolle’s WOW – a finely balanced combination of herbs, mineral and vitamins, one key ingredient of which is garlic.
Four x “1886” capsules and four x “809” tablets – part of a system to maintain a healthy metabolism in dogs (and cats) with boils and acne type spots.
Two x “1892” capsules for three days then a break of four days (a weekly cycle) – indicated in cases of infection.

These come from a comprehensive range of herbal, mineral and vitamin food supplements, developed over six decades by the Danish naturopath Arno Wolle. The actual ingredients of these supplements are too numerous to mention though a full description is listed on each product container. Herbaticus’ literature wisely says owners should not expect to see instant results and patience is needed. Some cats, dogs or horses may be helped within one to three months. The condition of each animal will vary enormously and others will need the supplements for far longer.

Cyd has been on the above regime for 11 months and her feet are still sore. This doesn’t surprise me as it was always Cyd’s feet that were the worst aspect of her skin condition. Previously she’d complete a program of antibiotics and would have clear skin and healthy feet then inevitably her feet would redden and become sore again. It was just a matter of deciding when to return for more antibiotics. She has had problems with the skin on her feet for the whole eight years I have owned her and I do not feel disheartened that they are still not perfect. I did learn one important lesson from homeopathy – “alternative” medicines take time to work and, importantly, I believe Cyd’s feet will continue to improve.

When Cyd was at her worst, and I at my most despondent, I questioned whether I was a responsible pet owner. I desperately wanted homeopathy to “fix” Cyd but to my untrained eye she just kept getting worse. With her body a mass of open wounds I felt guilty about the condition she was in. Eventually, as she was nearing 11, and bull terriers are not especially long-lived dogs, I decided to quit. Although I knew homeopathy wouldn’t kill Cyd it became increasingly likely that something else, perhaps a disease of old-age, might. “I will never forgive myself,” I said in March 2000, “if Cyd dies and she spent the last six months of her life in this condition.”

Cyd has been taking the correct Herbaticus supplements for the last year or so and, apart from her feet, the rest of her body has worked through its cycles and is astoundingly healthy. I never thought I would see Cyd, in the condition she is in today, without the intervention of allopathic medicines, e.g. antibiotics. She is nearly 12 now and continues to improve daily. Her re-growth of fur is soft and shiny though patches remain where she once had bald spots. If I have one complaint it’s that Cyd’s supplement intake results in incredible claw growth and the once infrequent battle to clip her claws has become a weekly showdown! Mind you, I prefer this fidgeting, objecting dog to the miserable looking specimen who, not so long ago, had to have daily baths to cleanse her matted fur and soothe her sore paws.

I have also had a huge change of heart about what are undeniably Cyd’s last years. I know I will be devastated when Cyd dies but, having seen her so wretched in the past, I now feel every healthy day is an extra bonus. Eighteen months ago I never thought I’d feel like this and I must attribute it to Herbaticus.

For more details contact: Fanny Philbert at Herbaticus Ltd, 2 Primitive Mews, Chelmorton, Derbyshire SK17 9SH
telephone: 0845 257 1088 | email: enquiries@herbaticus.co.uk | web: http://www.herbaticus.co.uk

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