Acuvet - Dr. Barry Hindmarch

Rainbow had her first visit (24 Aug) with Dr. Barry Hindmarch at Acuvet.
But she has been to Acuvet once, but Dr. Barry was on long leave at that time.

Dr. Barry is not only the best homeopathy vet, but can also easily be the best vet Rainbow has ever been to.
The first thing Dr. Barry did is did a full check of Rainbow. And I mean a really full complete check.
(I have been to other vets who are supposed to do a full check every annual visit but instead they just have a quick peek in the ear , in the eyes, and barely feel them.)

Dr.Barry noticed straightaway there are some damages to Rainbow's eyes. He switched off the lights and did some light test, and some cotton-wool test (to see how well Rainbow's eyes are responding). He said her eyes are around 75% damaged. She is actually just compensating her vision with the other eye for another eye. Although her condition is genetic, he said the extend of the damage in her eyes are for a 10-year-old dog and Rainbow is only 5 :(
There is nothing one can do (even surgery) but to maintain her vision she has now.
I am sad to hear that, but also feel very proud that Rainbow is handling them so well, hardly anyone will know she is actually so blind cos she just seems so normal.

Dr.Barry then felt all around her body, even asking her to lie on her back. She looked at her body all over, as well as her vagina, etc. Of course noted the allergy on her skin.

He then proceed to check her ears, and used a microscope to look deeper inside.
He very patiently asked the nurse for one of his books, and showed me the reason Rainbow occasionally has yeast attack on her ears. her ear canals are very close and rubbing against each other. Her ear flap being down contributes to the friction of the opening of her ear canals.

He also mentioned to me that Rainbow is a "heaty" dog. Homeopathic vets believe in the term "Heaty" and "Cooling", like us Chinese. Eg. When you have dark yellow urine or nose bleed, then you are heaty, and have to compensate by eating more "cooling" food. I realised only now that the concept of "heaty and cooling food" is a very Asian medicinal practice / culture , which Western people cannot simply understand, and is also hard to explain. I will blog more about this in my future post.

The main idea to help Rainbow is to get rid of her Heatiness. Which means meat-wise, feeding of Fish and Chicken, as oppose to feeding Beef. More veges instead of grains.

The whole consultation took around 30-40 minutes.
The homeopathy remedies on Rainbow are:


Biopuncture Injection
In short, Biopuncture stimulates the natural self-healing capacities of the body using small injections of homeopathics at acupuncture and trigger points, creating a slow assimilation into the cellular matrix. Biopuncture stimulates the body's own healing mechanisms thus speeding up the process of injury recovery, natural rejuvenation/repair and also lowers pain and inflammation.

For Rainbow, the "injection" was done on the acupuncture point near the ears (forgot the name of the point).

Ingredients used : Pulsatilla

Did a quick search about Pulsatilla, it shows: Source: http://www.elixirs.com/pulsatilla.cfm It is pre-eminently a female remedy, especially for mild, gentle, yielding disposition. Sad, crying readily; weeps when talking; Changeable, contradictory. The patient seeks the open air; always feels better there,Discharges thick, bland, and yellowish-green.  Symptoms ever changing. thirstless, peevish, and chilly. When first serious impairment of health is referred to age of puberty. Great sensitiveness. Wants the head high. Feels uncomfortable with only one pillow. Lies with hands above head. BETTER, open air, motion, cold applications, cold food and drinks, though not thirsty. WORSE, from heat, rich fat food, after eating, towards evening, warm room, lying on left or on painless side, when allowing feet to hang down. even though he is chilly. Mucous membranes are all affected.

Calcium Sulphur & Kali Sulphur Drops
Rainbow is so get 0.2ml drops (3 times daily for 5 days, then twice daily for 2 weeks, then once daily).
This drops is to help with her skin as well as strengthen her immune system


Bulbinella Plant
Dr.Barry also introduced me a plant called Bulbinella for Rainbow's eyes.

Bulbinella

Bulbinella plant is indigenous to Africa grows almost anywhere, in any soil. Being a succulent, it tolerates dry conditions & needs to be watered only once or twice a week.The leaves of the Bulbinella are long & resemble chives or garlic chives. Although the leaves are long, they are also fairly thick and round and contain a natural healing sap. 

Bulbinella leaves

Sap from Bulbinella

This sap contains glycoproteins, which have soothing and protective qualities.

The closest plant that has the same healing properties are Aloe Veras, except that Bulbinella leaves are thinner.

It is inexpensive, a big pot like that costs ZAR16 as compared to a 6ml drug from the vet which costs ZAR200. Most important of all, it is natural.

It is now less than a week, Rainbow seems to be healing nicely. Less scratching, and less flaky skin at least by 80%.
It is a miracle, considering she has itchy skin all her life, although no fleas.
Cannot wait for the day she stop scratching completely.