What is the Circovirus & Should I be scared?

• Posted on 15 October 2013
• By Dr. Jill Tack
• Posted in Dog Flu, Dog virus, How to keep my dog healthy, will virus kill my dog
• 0

Many of you have seen or heard the reports on the news about the "new" virus going around the Southeastern Michigan area. When I think of a virus, I never think of it as new. We’ve had viruses in our world for many decades. It’s just that our modern medicine sees it as an opportunity for new drugs and vaccines compared to treating it with herbs, homeopathics and other natural modalities that were used just a few hundred years ago before modern medicine filled our homes.

Many of you have seen or heard the reports on the news about the "new" virus going around the Southeastern Michigan area. When I think of a virus, I never think of it as new. We’ve had viruses in our world for many decades. It’s just that our modern medicine sees it as an opportunity for new drugs and vaccines compared to treating it with herbs, homeopathics and other natural modalities that were used just a few hundred years ago before modern medicine filled our homes.

Questions about your dog

First, before we all jump on the freak-out wagon let me point out some of the bullet points that weren't in the news coverage. The news only reports one side of the story. If I were involved in the story, these are some of the additional questions I would want to know:

• Besides the owner's home, where did the dog visit in the past 14 days?
• What is the dog currently eating? Nutrition status?
• How long ago was the dog vaccinated?
• What is the stress level in the home and is the dog currently in a stressed state?
• What is the home environment like?
• Is the dog very young or senior?
• Does your dog have any other diagnosis that may have already given it a weakened immune system?

Most of these can play a factor in whether or not a pet is more susceptible to a contagious virus. Although the few cases in Michigan may have started with flu-like symptoms, from what I’ve read, it appears that it progressed into more severe symptoms. The following is from the local news:

Dr. Lindsay Ruland, owner and chief of medicine at Emergency Veterinary Hospital of Ann Arbor states: "All of the dogs had severe inflammation in their intestinal tract, an infected or abscessed pancreas, enlarged abdominal lymph nodes, and exhibited varying degrees of lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea."

What is the Circovirus?

What is the flu?

Many folks think flu symptoms are mainly comprised of diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms may occur during the viral attack however according to the CDC, the canine flu is a contagious upper respiratory disease shown by runny nose, cough and fever. A very small percentage of animals infected with the disease die. Just like people, some dogs can also be asymptomatic or showing no symptoms at all but still carries the virus. Much like human flu outbreaks they are mainly an epidemic or localized. Therefore those that either have taken their dog to Ann Arbor or live in Ann Arbor should be more cautious than us in the Detroit area.

Remedies

When treating homeopathically, you need to be a symptom sleuth and love details. You should pay attention to how the symptoms came about – slow or sudden? And what symptoms are present. Some remedies that are used for sudden onset are:

• aconite
• arsenicum
• ipecac
• lycopodium
• nux vomica
• phosphorus

Some remedies used for gradual onset include:

• bryonia
• causticum
• gelsemium
• rhus tox

Again, the entire patient should be taken into consideration before dosing with any of these remedies. There are several natural remedies I would use (or even in conjunction with conventional therapies). These remedies can greatly minimize symptoms and make for a faster recovery.

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I would consider the following remedies:

1. Frankincense essential oil - This is one of the highest frequency and vibrational oils. When you raise the frequency of the body then disease or virus are less likely to take up housing. We often get sick because our frequency has dropped due to stress or poor nutrition allowing us to get in a low vitality state. Frankincense essential oil does need to be diluted according to the animal’s weight. It is also very important to use a high grade therapeutic oil from a reputable company such as Be Young Essential Oils.
2. Silver Shield – Works as a germicide, antibiotic, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiseptic, inhibits the growth of bacteria and other disease-causing organisms. The Silver Shield that we recommend is a true colloidal silver that is approved as non-toxic by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is found to be effective against dental bacteria, eye infection, sinus infections, ear infections, food poisoning, diarrhea, strep throat, pneumonia, respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, wound infections, meningitis and so much more! Definitely worth having on hand. I use it simply by adding to my pets drinking water or mixing it in a spray bottle and using it topically for wound care.
3. High Potency Protease – The virus is encapsulated by a protein shell. This protease formula works to break down that shell and allow the body to deal with the virus in a more timely fashion. Protease is also known for boosting the immune system.
4. VS-C – This antiviral herbal formula is useful for viral disorders in which the immune system is weak. It is effective against many infections as well.
5. Garlic – One of the most well-known immune boosters. It is best to use individual cloves when they are freshly minced but you can also use the encapsulated version as well. Garlic contains antibacterial, anticancer, nutritive, antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-parasitic properties. It has many nutritional properties including potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, vitamin A, thiamine, niacin, taurine, zinc, and many others. Garlic is also known for its immune boosting constituents and its uncanny ability to seek out and destroy cancerous cells.
6. Viral recovery – This homeopathic blend helps the body in detoxifying and regaining strength and vitality after viral infections.

With all this said and many available options, if your dog is experiencing any of the described symptoms, there is a time and place where are medical professionals should be seen. Once your dog is stabilized we can then get additional supplements on board to help with your dog's recovery.

Don't live in fear

My last sound piece of advice, STOP living in fear!! I’m not telling you that if you feel like your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms that you shouldn’t go to your veterinarian, I’m just saying that the local news likes to make us panic. Panic enough that we then become fearful.

You know your dog best. You live with them. If you feel like something is “off”, then monitor them. Start natural remedies as soon as you see symptoms. Maybe you feel like their symptoms should be monitored by your vet. You need to do what is most comfortable for you.