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An Evaluation of Feline Leukemia Protocols
Lisa S. Newman, ND, Ph.D., Azmira’s Director of Research
Holly Keppel, D.V.M., Clinical Data Evaluation · Lee Veith, D.V.M.,
Veterinary Regulatory Board
ABSTRACT
It is shown that
nutritional augmentation -- to fuel curative processes such as
detoxification (blood purification), improved organ function (to increase
nutrient utilization), and rejuvenation (rebuilding from chronic weakness)
-- can be utilized with homeopathically induced “health responses” to
substantially mitigate Leukemia and related symptoms. Elimination of the
nutritional foundation protocol resulted in a reoccurrence of the weakness
and obvious symptoms--regardless of the previous benefits the homeopathic
therapy provided--rendering further homeopathic therapy less effective in
general until supplementation was resumed.
INTRODUCTION
One of the most
frustrating conditions in cats, both due to the difficulty in reducing the
degenerative process, as well as, often resistant to medical treatments, is
that of Feline Leukemia. In 1985, Dr. Lisa Newman concluded an initial
one-year study of cats with a history of viral infection with compelling
conditions, ranging from lack of stamina to leukemia and herpes. These
results have recently been re-confirmed after an additional twelve years of
nutraceutical data and comprehensive six-week follow-ups.
All of the
above-mentioned changes became even more pronounced during the follow-up
study with the nutritional augmentation of Azmira’s Mega Pet Daily™ -- a
fully-balanced, therapeutically-potent vitamin and mineral supplement,
rather than the less potent, basic supplementation as found in Azmira®’s
SeaSupreme™ formulation previously used in 1985—although a maintenance
protocol with the foundation supplements (Garlic Daily Aid™, SuperC2000™ and
the Mega Pet Daily™) is vital to long term control of symptoms and the
slowing of degenerative conditions. It was also shown that Azmira’s
homeopathically-prepared flower remedy for FEAR™ supported quicker
behavioral changes (stress reduction needed for healing) in a higher number
of cats, especially the more chronic cases, than the previously used Bach
Flower Rescue Remedy® or single remedies. This is attributed to Azmira®’s
homeopathically potentized flower process.
All symptomatic
cats had previously been treated with traditional medications, including
steroids, antibiotics and blood builders, plus veterinary supplementation,
with slight to none improvement noted prior to the study. Several died
before availability in the clinical trial was an option.
METHODS OF
RESEARCH
There was a
comparative nine month study done on immune enhancing, tissue-building
nutrients, particularly the vitamins A, E, B-Complex and C plus the minerals
Iron, Zinc, Copper and Selenium, as well as the additional supportive
(co-enzyme action) nutrients all found in Mega Pet Daily™, manufactured for
the firm Azmira (USA). These nutrients, combined with Azmira’s Viral D’Tox™,
have been noted for their ability to address various conditions, especially
the four common conditions behind the majority of leukemic cats. Although
causes are numerous and often in conjunction with one another, nutritional
imbalance, infectious diseases such as this particular viral infection, food
allergies or liver disorders and endocrine issues such as low thyroid levels
are commonly associated with the onset of anemia. Homeopathically potentized
flower remedies found in Azmira’s Fear™ or R&R Essence™ formulas were
utilized to deal with the more obvious stress-related behaviors influencing
the physical condition particularly wasting disease and adrenal exhaustion.
These cats were
separated into three initial testing groups and in the spring of 1999, Dr.
Newman concluded the ten year study of Feline Leukemia with the remaining
cats and their varied conditions, all feline leukemia-related syndromes,
primarily “rodent mouth” and “wasting disease.”
Thirty-seven
cats were placed in a double blind study with one control group receiving no
treatment except for placebos, one group receiving traditional veterinary
“medical” cancer care and the other remaining owners of group subjects
followed Dr. Newman’s Holistic Animal Care LifeStyle™, plus Naturopathic
Cancer Protocol—utilizing herbs and homeopathy to stimulate the immune
response and reverse the cancer symptoms.
“Physical
stress” requiring the R&R™ or Fear™ was identified by appetite issues,
vocalizations in response to external stimuli or physical discomfort, and
family issues (divorce, lack of attention, death of a mate, etc.)
which may have preceded the onset of acute symptoms including “exhibiting
negative behavioral patterns” and constant movements such as fur pulling,
excessive “location rotation” and withdrawal or aggression--in addition to
overall weakness.
To be chosen for
participation, each cat was lacking approximately 20% to 40% of his or her
weight, rapidly declining over a minimum of six weeks (many to the point of
anorexia, anemia and diagnosed as stage four) plus non-responsive to prior
allopathic nor naturopathic treatment.
With thirty-seven
mature cats participating, ranging in age from 3 yo to 14 yo, half the cats
were Siamese and Burmese-types (a correlation we found interesting…
inbreeding is a possibility leading to susceptibility of infection or
vaccinosis from the vaccine itself), while the rest were general
representations of various breeds. All were on the same type of holistic
veterinarian-recommended clinical diets, free of artificial ingredients and
chemical preservatives (but often with chicken by-products!). All cats were
given twenty minutes of exercise and fresh air daily to aid in
detoxification and nutrient utilization.
Before the
beginning, and after the end of this clinical study, an objective veterinary
assessment was compiled for certain medical parameters: all the cats were
photographed, confirmed on their current weight loss and previous loss,
basic blood profiles, clinical absence of internal and external parasitic,
fungal, bacterial or other viral infestation (to rule out this cause) and
given a behavioral assessment regarding their particular environmental or
behavioral triggers.
During the
initial period of research, subjects’ caregivers kept a daily log that
recorded how the subjects acted, slept, how stable was their appetites
(acceptance of supplementation, reversal of anorexic patterns), the specific
changes observed after X-many days, including the overall condition of the
cats and rapidity in building red blood cells. Each section was scored on a
“1 to 10” rating and the score combined for the final analysis and
percentage. Follow-up assessments were concluded yearly after the initial
results.
RESULTS AND
DISCUSSION
Clinical data
confirmed, after a stage four diagnosis (given six to twelve weeks to live):
the average life extension, with Dr. Newman’s protocol, was six years (33%),
three to five years (12%), two years (23%), and less than one year (29%),
with 3% living over eight years after their diagnosis.
Those receiving
medical treatment lived only an average of six to nine months (83%) after
their stage four diagnoses, with 13% dying within a few months and only 4%
surviving between twelve and sixteen months. The overall health of these
cats during treatment was noticeably less than those in the Holistic Care
group, although all started in roughly the exact same shape. This was
attributed to drug toxicity and issues of untreated vaccinosis.
Most cats in the
control group, offered no medical or holistic treatments of any kind, did
not survive past the initial six months of the study. 24% survived for six
to nine months. 87% never recovered an appetite on their own.
Significant
observations
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Four cats in
the control group actually got significantly worse within a short time;
permanently damaging body tissues and suffering organ failure, concluded
to be of a chemical origin (from medications, both for viral or symptom
control plus common antibiotics, administered for months prior to the
study).
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Of the
thirty-seven cats treated with veterinary medications prior to the initial
study; those who made the nutraceutical and/or homeopathic treatment
protocol groups ALL showed marked improvement over initial red blood cell
counts and their noticeably declining condition. The cats which made the
control group—not one recovered their health until they were placed on the
naturopathic protocol later, to ward off their impending death.. Of these,
two cats still required medication, one owner choose to add the
supplementation protocol after the conclusion of the initial study period,
and the other did not. The supplemented cat showed a marked improvement in
health and a decreased need for medication, while the other subject
continued to struggle with the medication and required higher doses (not
as effective), of which it could not tolerate! Even the vet tried to
convince the owner to supplement, but failing this, lost the cat (still
anorexic and anemic) to liver and heart failure within three months.
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Of those in the
nutraceutical and homeopathic group who needed additional support to
reverse their behavior and symptoms, an additional 25% responded better to
Azmira’s Calm & Relax™ herbal extract while the rest benefited from
Azmira’s ImmunoStim’R™. Of these cats, only two had little
success in quickly stabilizing like the others; until it was discovered
later that these cats were still subject to stressful environments during
the study period.
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Although
Azmira’s herbal extracts contain a small percentage of alcohol (used
during processing, to help the herb’s therapeutic properties enter the
cell structure and as a natural preservative); five drops of extract mixed
into one-teaspoon of canned Azmira formulas, contains no more alcohol than
is naturally occurring in many fruits, such as bananas, that cats enjoy.
There were no significant negative changes, due to extract consumption, on
an enzymatic or protein level showed in blood analysis of liver and kidney
function in subjects.
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Even when
symptoms reappeared after disregarding the supplementation protocol,
wellness and reversal of symptoms would be quickly accomplished
(regardless the length of time passed) by returning to the Mega Pet
Daily™, SuperC2000™, Garlic Daily Aid™ and the Holistic Animal Care
LifeStyle™. Rapid improvement of the cats overall health was also noted in
these cases.
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Significant
improvement in subjects’ overall condition was also maintained during
normal periods of “healing crisis”; despite previous observations that
these cats lost excessive weight, red blood cells and stamina, in the
periods prior to Azmira’s foundation supplementation. Coat condition,
weight and attitude maintenance were immediately notable plus 100% of
“supplemented” cats, regardless of noted symptom reversals or continued
chronic weakness, showed improvement in socialization, digestion and
relaxation skills!
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