Expert: Silva Mirovics - 4/14/2008

Question
Jodie has been ailing foe this past year. Coughing problems and has a cancer around the anus. I have spent considerable time and money at the vets with her being on Fordicor (heart), diurin (Diuretic) codeine (for congestive cough) and prednisone ? what for. 10 days ago she went through a really bad patch and the vet upt her codeine 75%. She went into 'stiff spasms', lost control of movement and was 'near death'. I told the vet - where to from here. he put her in the 'hyperbaric' chamber etc and she was a bit better. I decided to not give her any codeine and she improved dramatically. I am only giving her the fordicor and diurin at present however she really is having trouble with laboured breathing and obvious congested lungs.
Is there some natural product I can give her to aleviate the problem a little - I realise she is old and quality of life is the important point.
I would apreciate any information you can give. Thanks

Answer
Hi Brenda
I can understand that comfort and quality of life are everything to your elderly girl.  
A homeopathic remedy that has shown good results with coughing in older dogs is Antimonium Tartaricum.  You should be able to buy some from any homeopath or naturopath. Or a store such as ABC Homeopathics, which is an on-line dispensary.
As for her other conditions Robert McDowell has brilliant herbal remedies for dogs - www.herbal-treatments.com
Click on "herbs for dogs" and scroll down the list.  There you will find Anal Gland Cancer support blend, Heart Repair Tonic and the Kidney Weakness blend.  These blends are all 100ml in size and each bottle will last you about 3 months.  You can mix them together.  It would probably be best to email Robert before you order just to get his advice.
The Heart Repair tonic is brilliant and will help the lungs and the heart.  Along with the homeopathic remedy, you should find some relief here.  
Remember that herbal medicine and natural products do not give you instant results.  It takes 6-12 weeks for the body to slowly start working through diseases and returning the body to a balanced stated.  Although drugs provide a quick fix they do accumulate many toxins in the body, and especially with an old dog, it can be very hard for their bodies to process this.
However, you should always consult your vet and know that at times there is a necessity for pharmaceutical drugs.
I hope this is helpful.
With thanks,
Silva.
www.roxysworld.com.au