Treatment of a Puppy with Canine Parvovirus Using Integrative Manual TherapyTM and Functional MedicineTM : A Case Study
Author: Chad LeTourneau PT
Abstract: Canine parvovirus (CPV) disease is currently the most common infectious disorder of dogs in the United States1. It is a highly contagious viral disease that attacks the intestinal track, white blood cells, and in extreme cases the cardiac muscle. The most common clinical signs include diarrhea (that is often bloody), depression, loss of appetite, and vomiting2. The majority of cases that are seen are in dogs less than 6 months old with the most severe and deadly cases in puppies under 12 weeks1. Most deaths occur within 48-72 hours of initial onset of clinical signs. In the past, a high percentage of dogs under the age of 5 months died from the disease2. The treatment of CPV is directed toward supportive therapy, there are no drugs that kill the virus in infected dogs2. The most common measure is fluid and electrolyte administration to combat the dehydration. Antibiotics are also usually given to control secondary infections. Madeline, a 7-week-old puppy diagnosed with CPV, was evaluated and treated using Integrative DiagnosticsTM and Integrative Manual TherapyTM. Using medical model diagnostics3, the intestinal tract was found to be of primary importance. After 6 hours of Integrative Manual TherapyTM, using a technique to improve immune system function4 and Neurofascial ProcessTM, initiation of a Functional MedicineTM protocol using Standard ProcessTM and MetagenicsTM products and multiple sessions of intravenous fluid replacement, the puppy had made noticeable functional and health improvements. Within two to three days her body weight had increased, vomiting and diarrhea had ceased, she was eating and drinking regularly, and her activity and energy levels were significantly increased6. In this case, the usual supportive therapy of fluid replacement coupled with Integrative Manual TherapyTM and the appropriate Functional MedicineTM protocol resulted in a quick and complete recovery.
Key Words: Dog, Canine parvovirus (CPV), Integrative DiagnosticsTM, Neurofascial ProcessTM, Functional MedicineTM
Evaluation and Diagnostics: Madeline was evaluated on Wednesday, September 19, 2001. At that time she was nearly 7 weeks old. It was apparent upon initial visual observation that she was quite ill. She was visibly under weight and there was minimal active movement. Her eyes were lifeless and she was definitely depressed. Her tolerance to weight bearing on all four legs was minimal, with only a few seconds tolerated. With palpation of her chest and abdomen, there was marked temperature elevation compared to other body areas.
Subjective reports from the owner of Madeline were noted6. The first visible signs of the disease started on Monday, September 17. Madeline had low energy and made no effort to eat or drink, even when coaxed. She had severe diarrhea and some vomiting. Tuesday morning Madeline was seen by her veterinarian and given some food and IV fluid replacement. She was brought home and proceeded to vomit throughout the day. By that evening her condition had worsened. She would not move, could not tolerate being touched, refused all types of nourishment, and was lifeless and non-responsive6. She again received IV fluid replacement on the morning of Wednesday, September 19, and was then brought in to be evaluated and treated.
Following the discussion with the owner and visual inspection of Madeline, a more directed evaluation and palpation was done using Integrative DiagnosticsTM. Along the entire GI tract, from mouth to anus, there was evidence of an aberrant motility (biologic rhythm) suggesting there was decreased immune support and function in this system4. A medical model diagnostic tool3 was used that determined that the small intestines were of primary importance. Following direct consultation with Sharon (Weiselfish) Giammatteo, a treatment plan was given including Integrative Manual TherapyTM and a Functional MedicineTM protocol7.
Treatment: Treatment was initiated immediately following the evaluation. Of primary importance was improving the immune function throughout the GI tract, especially the small intestines. Resistance therapy to the aberrant motility4 was performed for one and a half hours along the entire length of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. More time was spent in the intestinal area. The owner was contacting the ureters while this treatment was being done. The owner was then sent home with Neurofascial ProcessTM homework5 consisting of contacting the GI tract and the ureters for as long as possible. The owner later reported doing roughly four and a half hours of this with the majority of it on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Functional Medicine protocol consisted of both MetagenicsTM and Standard ProcessTM products. With the MetagenicsTM products, Madeline was to take one half teaspoon UltraInflamXTM and one EPA-DHA ComplexTM per week for four weeks7. With the Standard ProcessTM products, she was to take one tablet of Thymex and one tablet of ThymusPMGTM per week for four weeks7. The owner reports remaining compliant with this protocol.
Madeline also continued to receive IV fluid replacement. She had four to five more sessions following her treatment.
Outcome: Positive results were almost immediate. After just minutes of manual therapy, Madeline drank two small bowls of water on her own for the first time in over 2 days. Wednesday night, after the treatment and about two hours of Neurofascial ProcessTM, she had improved energy and improved ability to move and weight bear. A limited appetite for both food and water had begun. The following Thursday morning she was more alert with improved tolerance to weight bearing and a normal gait pattern. Thursday night she regressed some with diminished energy and more difficulty walking. By this time vomiting had stopped and only minimal diarrhea remained.
On Friday significant changes were noted6. The diarrhea had completely stopped with normal, solid stool. Her appetite was very strong with noticeable weight gain. She weighed 4.8 pounds on Wednesday and had increased to 5.4 pounds by Friday morning. She was initiating physical activity with lots of aggressive playing and chewing. When in the past week she normally had a relapse in the early evening, there was none on this day. This continued over Saturday and Sunday with energy and activity levels continuing to increase. Appetite and water intake also continued to increase.
Over this last week she has continued to improve and act like a "normal puppy"; lots of energy, big appetite, playing aggressively and starting to become more curious and explore things on her own6. Her and her owner sound very happy.
Acknowledgements: I must give a special thank you to Alison Dick, who is the owner of Madeline that I have referred to repeatedly. I admire her dedication to her puppy and appreciate her data gathering and documentation of Madeline’s health in order to help me prepare this case study.
References
1. Bodewes, Dr. Joe. Canine Parvovirus [http://www.pet education.com/dogs/provirus.htm] (1997-2001). Drs. Foster& Smith, Inc., Veterinary Services Department.
2. The AVMA Network, What You Should Know About Canine Parvovirus Infection [htpp://www.avma.org/care4pets/canhparv.htm] (1998). American Veterinary Medical Association.
3. Weiselfish-Giammatteo, Sharon. Seminar: "Integrative DiagnosticsTM Series Part Three: Neurofascial Release." St. Helena, CA, August 11-12, 2001.
4. Weiselfish-Giammatteo, Sharon, VMET: Respiratory Rehabilitation, San Francisco, CA, March 30-April 1, 2001.
5. Weiselfish-Giammatteo, Sharon, Integrative DiagnosticsTM Series Part Two: Neurofascial ProcessTM , St. Helena, CA, May, 2001.
6. Dick Alison, San Francisco, 2001.
7. Weiselfish-Giammatteo, Sharon. Personal contact, 2001.