Baron's Story and the Origin
of Wellpet
by Bonnie Beucler
Baron is a Kuvasz, a Hungarian herding
dog. Baron was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease on Mother's
Day 1995 (I couldn't believe that my vet would choose to call
me on that Sunday with the unhappy news, but he did). The
name of his disease is Cutaneous Histiocytosis, which essentially
means benign tumors above the skin. Though this malady had
a name, it did not have a cure. My vets were concerned, of
course, but bewildered, as well. They had never dealt with
a Kuvasz before, and now they had one with a seemingly incurable
disease.
Baron had been on and off prednisone
for his whole life up to that point. I will be the first one
to admit that I truly didn't know how badly I was compromising
my dog's immune system, but now that my eyes were open, my
vet and I seemed at an impasse, and I started investigating
alternative medicines. I began by calling vets on the AVHMA
list. The vets I talked to either had never heard of CH, knew
what it was but had never treated it, or suggested traditional
treatment. Eventually, I discovered a mailing list dedicated
to a natural approach to canine health.
(Unfortunately, soon after I joined,
that list folded. I assembled a small group of former members
for round robin discussions, but that soon became unwieldy.
Katrina Ritchie came forward in response to our appeal for
help, and Wellpet was born; today, 5 years later, Wellpet
continues under my ownership and administration.)
After John and I moved in July of 1996,
Baron's eye became inflamed and swollen. I thought it was
simply the stress, but it got worse even after we settled
in. I refused the prednisone suggested by my original vet.
Even when the histiocytes became a little more aggressive,
I again refused the prednisone. At one point my vet suggested
a needle of prednisone be stuck on Baron's eye and I figured
I was in deep trouble then! When Baron developed a lump on
his nose that compromised his breathing, my vet was unconcerned,
so I refused his help after that.
In September of 1996, I called my first
homeopathic veterinarian. I was a bit skeptical, as are some
of you who are reading Baron's story. But, my dog was in terrible
shape, had no energy, little appetite, and looked absolutely
awful.
My new vet asked many questions (as
homeopaths are wont to do so they can see the whole picture),
and I did my best to answer them. I administered the prescribed
remedy to Baron on Sept. 24, 1996. For about a week he looked
about the same, except for a decrease in the swelling on the
bridge of his nose. In another week, his breathing was almost
normal. And the swelling in his eye began to go down. And,
before long, the histiocytes were gone. Next, Baron began
to shed his old hair, but the new coat was far more beautiful
than I would have imagined.
This whole process took about 8 weeks.
As Baron began to heal, he developed hot spots in the same
areas he had had them in the past. He also had a 24-hour ear
infection. The new vet asked me not to treat them with anything,
as the dog's body needed to undergo this process.
Today, Baron has the energy of a much
younger dog. <he is 71/2> His coat is gorgeous, his
eye completely better, and not one histiocyte to be found
on his body. I know that if it were not for the people on
Wellpet, I would not have had the courage to take the plunge
into the world of homeopathy.
I thank all of you.
Bonnie Beucler
Owner/administrator, Wellpet
The update on Baron's condition is
that after 2 years of wonderful health, the histiocytes did
return. I altered his diet and they left. BUT stress, his
or mine, bring them on from time to time. He is now almost
12 and while stiff and not as full of life as he once was,
he is doing okay.
Bonnie
UPDATE
October 16, 2002
Baron went to the Rainbow Bridge today.
He will be sadly missed by all who loved him. Yet his legacy
will live on in all the pets who live healthier and fuller
lives as a result of the Wellpet list and web site.
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