SKIPPER (Valley Fever Case Study Group I)

11year old, Male, Bassett Hound mix
Titer Start 1:8 at 5 months 1:4

Skipper is the oldest dog in the study and a rescue dog. He was diagnosed with Valley Fever back in 2003 and had been on the fluconazole since then. This boy had some severe side effects from the VF including invasion into the bone and spine. He entered the study April 2008 and his bloodwork reflected drug toxicity causing inflammation, thyroid suppression (although he was on soloxine) and lowered immune defense.

The long-term drug use had lowered white blood cell counts and there were also signs of biliary congestion and oxygen deprivation. The adoptive owner had spent the last several years of Skipper’s life trying to fix simply a host of problems that she inherited.

Skipper’s VF titer at 3 months was down to 1:4 after hovering at 1:8 for years. With Dr. Montana’s permission, Skipper was taken off the fluconazole. Two months later, his titer is still 1:4. The study ends for him in October.

His most notable change has been that his thyroid has normalized and his soloxine has stopped. In fact, prior to this, when the soloxine dose was reduced then put back to the normal dose, he had a seizure from the excess thyroid. WBC and biliary and liver markers have also improved. 

One problem with Skipper’s results was that he was kept on metacam a NSAID by his over-cautious owner for months after he was to stop. This did interfere with the effectiveness of the formula’s impact on joint health. Otherwise, up until Skipper’s best friend was put down Skipper had really responded well and had been doing great.

This stress caused a set-back for him but he seems to be rebounding again. Skipper transitioned to a new kibble with the addition of a natural diet that some of the other dogs were changed to. He is now on an all natural diet for the last month of the study and several additional supplements to help his joint health and replace the metacam taxation.  WE are extremely proud of the diligent work Skipper’s owner has performed and the oversight of Dr. Montana to help us in the study.