Kyrie and the Superbug, round three — with a surprise
By Christie Keith
May 2, 2008
As you know, my Borzoi, Kyrie, has been battling an infection with multi-drug resistant staph (MRSI) for the last few months. A lot of you have been asking about her in comments and email, and I promised to post an update.
Gina called me last night. “I thought you were going to post about Kyrie.”
I assured her I was working on the post at that very moment. And I was. In fact, I worked on it for around four hours yesterday, and I’ve been working on it for at least an hour this morning. Trust me, five hours on a single blog post? If all my work took me that kind of time, I’d be hard-pressed to pay my utility bill, forget about my mortgage and the dogs’ grass-fed beef.
The problem isn’t that she’s worse. The problem isn’t that I don’t know what to do. The problem is that she’s, at least at the moment, completely free of all symptoms, and has been for two weeks now. None of her previous antibiotic treatments accomplished that — the first one didn’t work at all, and while both the second and the third drugs did, the infection returned within a couple of days after the course of antibiotics was finished.
So now you’re wondering, er, Christie? What’s the problem?
What I used was medical grade honey. I used it because her infection started to come back just as we went into the weekend, and I wanted to wait until Monday so I could take her to her specialist instead of the local vet or the ER. But in the past, this thing had spread so rapidly, and been so painful, that I wasn’t willing to do nothing for two days.
I had done a lot of research on treatments of MRSI and MRSA, and knew that medical grade honey had been used successfully on resistant infections in clinical and hospital settings. It’s a proven therapy, albeit not widely used or even accepted, particularly in the United States. I also knew that honey and sugar are anti-bacterial and have been used to promote wound healing for centuries. I figured it was pretty risk-free and might keep the infection in check, and give Kyrie some relief, until I could get to the specialist after the weekend.
But it did more than that. Within three hours, the symptoms (redness, oozing) had reduced by 50 percent, and Kyrie seemed comfortable instead of miserable and hyper-aware of the wound. In fact, she was sprawled out on her back, snoring, instead of crouched on her sternum with her eyes scrunched up.
I changed the bandage. Around ten hours later, I took it off, and the wound was 50 percent smaller, no longer at all red, and dry. By the next morning, there was nothing but some dry skin (I thought at first it was a crust of dried honey, but it wasn’t).
I continued the treatment for the rest of the weekend, and then I simply stopped. There was nothing to treat. I gave her a bath to get the remains of the honey off, dried her with a clean towel, and then let her be. The infection hasn’t returned, her hair is growing back, and for the first time since this all began, she’s normal.
I’m going to follow up with a culture, and finally get her thyroid checked, but for now, she’s doing great.
The reason I hesitated to share this story is that I am allergic to magic bullets. I believe that most illness is related more to “big picture” things like diet, genetics, lifestyle, and the environment, and if we overly-focus on interventions like drugs, supplements, or herbs that attack a single symptom, we’re pretty much just cutting the wire to the “check engine” light and thinking we fixed the car.
I also, after more than 22 years of being involved in holistic animal care, am beyond tired of the hype around the latest herbal or nutritional “cure-all.” I’ve seen a thousand of them come and go — does anyone even remember “Calorad”? “SBGA”? There was a time when these were as joyfully hyped as colloidal silver is today. There’s always something.
There’s usually some value to these therapies (not always); that’s not the point. The point is that they’re not the panaceas that their supporters claim them to be, and they often work (if they work) in the same way that the evil drugs they’re meant to supplant do. They don’t represent a genuine change of paradigm about disease and health. They’re just a “natural” alternative to pharmaceutical drugs, usually without even the minimal testing for safety and efficacy that drugs have.
Worse, their advocates often promote them as being able to treat and cure just about everything under the sun (usually including HIV and cancer), being cheaper than drugs, don’t require you to get medical care from a professional to use, and of course, since they’re “natural,” being safe. And there’s often a nice coating of conspiracy theory over the whole thing — you know, the one where science and the government won’t allow the truth about this product to get out, because it can’t be patented and thus, Big Pharma can’t make money off it.
Reality checks: Nothing treats everything under the sun. Treating serious conditions without a diagnosis is irresponsible whether you’re doing it with drugs or herbs. It’s quite true that the pharmaceutical industry’s pricing is mostly indefensible, but “cheaper” doesn’t mean “better,” either. And “natural” isn’t always better or safe. Aspirin is natural, and it eats holes in your stomach.
As to the conspiracy theories, those are the things that make my head explode. When something unpatentable shows genuine promise against a common problem, those smart (and by “smart” of course I mean “greedy”) folks in Big Pharma find a way to monetize it, typically by creating a patentable delivery system or formulation. And if they don’t, the equally smart (and greedy) folks in Big Supplements will find a lucrative angle for their product, too. (Actually, they’re often the exact same people.)
And that’s the long story of why I hesitated to make this post, because I still think that people need to go to the veterinarian to get things like this diagnosed, and because I believe we need to be doing cultures on infections both to help diagnose and treat our animals and to continue to monitor the emergence of resistant pathogens in our communities, and I don’t want everyone whose pet has a skin problem to go right for the medical grade honey and skip all the rest of those steps.
But I also believe in the free flow of honest information, and I can’t deny that the medical grade honey seems to have done more for this infection than anything else we tried, for a fraction of the cost.
Not that it was cheap; it wasn’t. It cost over $100. However, that is less than a fifth of what I spent on antibiotics that didn’t work, and only around 7 percent of her total vet bills. And I still have some left over, so the savings were actually greater than that, assuming I use the remaining product in the future.
While there is science to support the use of honey on resistant skin infections, and the product I used is actually FDA approved (you all know how important that is to me), the reason this worked might be not so much the honey as the delivery system. One of the things I found in my research is that topical treatments can be more effective against resistant skin infections than systemic antibiotics. It may be that had we used a topical therapy in addition to, or instead of, the oral antibiotics from the beginning, we’d have gotten the same result even with conventional drugs. I don’t know.
What we used is this. She’s doing great, and while her coat is still very short over the wound area, it’s covering the skin completely. I check daily and the underlying skin seems perfectly healthy and intact. And I promise to keep everyone updated, and report on what her culture and thyroid tests show.
I am so glad you gave us such a positive update on Kyrie’s skin condition. It must feel so wonderful to have her well again. Your research paid off big time.
`I had an infected fingernail for years and years. I was outside and got stung on that fingernail by a bee, for which I was very angry. But my fingernail was cured shortly afterward without any further treatment.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — May 2, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
I just skimmed your long post but what I got is: honey cures everything - is that right?
haha, only joking. And so glad to hear you found something that worked!
Comment by slt — May 2, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
Great news! I hope things continue well for Kyrie.
While I share your caution about “natural” remedies being over-hyped, every so often some “natural” remedy turns out to be something of real pharmacological value that hasn’t been sufficiently recognized yet because the right questions weren’t being asked. Or it could be simply that this is an antibacterial agent that hasn’t been used a lot on MRSA and MRSI infections—anything sufficiently different would have worked.
Or, as you say, it could be the topical application of an effective antibacterial, rather than which antibacterial you used. I’m not a fan of systemic approaches when a local approach will work, either. If I had to bet, my bet would be on a combination of of 2 and 3—less commonly used antibacterial, and the “direct approach” of topical application.
Comment by Lis — May 2, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
slt, honey does cure everything. Cancer, AIDS, asthma, low self-esteem, obesity, cellulite, insomnia, low IQ, chronic yeast infections — just be sure to get the special 3.4 percent potency raw honey fed on the wildflowers of the high mountains of the Andes, because all the other honeys are imposters.
Etc.
Comment by Christie Keith — May 2, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
Glad to hear she’s feeling better. Thanks for such a rational, common sense report. I’d been wondering how the cultures and sensitivities came out. My parents ran a medical lab for 35 years. The procedure for our family was ALWAYS culture, sensitivity and treat. I was floored the first time a doc handed me a scrip for antibiotics without doing any tests at all. I told him he was doing it wrong. He didn’t want to be my doc anymore. Being raised with the AMA hard line and knowing how unregulated the supplement biz is, I’m always skeptical of miracle cures. However, I’m positive we will have to take a different approach to treatments in the future due to the over-use of many of our current drugs and the sloppy practice of medicine. I hope this is it for Kyrie and there are no more battles with this bug.
Comment by C.L.H. — May 2, 2008 @ 3:56 pm
I was struck by your magic bullet remark. Sometimes what seems like magic isn’t really. I have been watching a video podcast recently called Terra: The Nature of Our World - they touch on a lot of subjects but the one you might find interesting is the Jewels of The Jungle series. Here is the blurb from Series 1 Part 1:Dr. Gary Strobel’s signature red stocking cap lives in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Why? Strobel is one of only a handful of plant scientists scouring the planet the old-fashioned way for the next “super drugs” . . . the kind of medicines which may end up curing malaria, AIDS, tuberculosis, and other diseases. Strobel’s red hat is a way of paying homage to the long tradition of herb and plant collectors before him - figures known in traditional cultures as “medicine-men.” Dr. Strobel is a fascinating example of the unification of cutting-edge modern science with wisdom derived from the practices of centuries-old healing traditions around the world. Travel along with Dr. Strobel as he hops around the world, from the rainforest to the outback, on his latest round of collecting. Last time, Strobel discovered an organism that now helps supply the world with cancer drugs, what will he discover this time around? [ http://www.lifeonterra.com ]
Your medical honey probably contains the endophytes he searches for
Comment by cheryl — May 2, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
Along the same lines as Colorado Transplant, I had a wart on my finger when I was a young girl. One day when I was putting my bike chain back on, a so-called friend stepped on the chain and my finger got trapped between the cog and the chain, piercing my wart. It hurt like hell and bled a lot (being a tomboy aged 8, even I couldn’t help but shed a tear or two) but the wart disappeared shortly thereafter, much to my amazement. I’d forgotten about it until now. Can’t say I’d recommend it as a cure though but happenstance worked well here.
But I digress. I do though like the idea of taking in all sorts of ideas in treating chronic health conditions. I’d say there’s a lot to synergy and natural catalysts we know very little about.
Comment by Laura Bennett — May 2, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
“The reason I hesitated to share this story is that I am allergic to magic bullets.”
Well, there are no magic bullets as well you know, neither here nor in allopathic medicine.
Quite frankly I’d be infuriated no professional vet med person had suggested concommitant application of topicals. First reaction is massive application of oral or injectible antibiotics, which is the reason we have so many resistant bacteria out there to begin with. That tells me there’s something terribly wrong with the way conventional medicine thinking has gone.
I don’t believe in miracle cures from the allopathic community either, no matter how much they advertise them. Those magic antibiotics are no different, just that they’ve had journal articles in professional rags. And many of those articles may be useless……as yesterday’s news was of ghost written articles by drug companies about off-label drug use to be given to Drs., with the hope the drug companies can get some money rolling in after a very tough year.
I don’t know why you’re so angry about unethical people flogging natural stuff. I really don’t think the general public is any more susceptible to it than to Dr. spiel on the latest new miracle drug, though I’d say most people accept a doc’s word without question.
Comment by CathyA — May 3, 2008 @ 5:07 am
Wow, that’s pretty amazing.
But when I first read about her and again when I began to read this post I immediately began to think - poltice. Thats actually what this is.
Now there are many different types and it is in fact a very old and well proven cure for a number of things mostly having to do with infections but also some types of small sub-cue cysts et al. Ingredients include things like mustard and onions, garlic, vinegar etc… mostly high acid compounds that creates an unfriendly environment for bugs that our skin can tolerate longer than they can.
But I also think there is something special about honey. This is not the first time I have read about it and its a well established fact that it does not decompose and does have anti-bacterial properties.
But it also sounds to me like your vet was treating her with pills and/or shots. For a skin infection? Systemic antibiotics only go where blood goes. Last time I checked the epidermis is DEAD and has no blood flow at all. Since dogs dont even sweat there is no chance that the skin can get any benefit of those meds by osmosis either. It would have seemed that a much more logical course would have been a topical ointment to begin with.
Forgive me but I just cant resist the temptation to raise this old issue. Remember the rather hot discussion we had about that old vet in MN and pain treatment for a dog. I would bet a weeks pay that he would have known about using some such treatment in substitute for the new-fangled antibiotics.
Given that this is really just a variation of one of the oldest cures in the book and the new age vets were remarkably incapable of dealing with it could it be that the old timers really do know something after all?
No, no secret cures known only to the pharohs here. Just a cure not known to modern book smart doctors who got their education from Phizer and their pals. In having lived and dealt with animal health issues both personally and commercially all of my life I have learned to view vets with the nicest modern facilities and equipment with a jaundiced eye. In my mind that fancy animal hospital says more about their skill at extracting money from angst ridden clients than success in treating my animals.
Give me the old docs working out of their back door and car trunk. I prefer results over technology.
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — May 3, 2008 @ 5:17 am
That’s really wonderful that Kyrie is over this thing!
I see that the WoundCentral folks also have the medically approved silver impregnated bandages for wounds as well.
http://www.woundcentral.com/Silverlon.html
Comment by Dennis — May 3, 2008 @ 10:49 am
WoooooHooooo! Good for you and good for Kyrie!!
Great news and I loved your blog post. There isn’t a magic wand but sometimes, it’s pretty cool when one does show up to help you out!!
Comment by Sharon H — May 3, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
Christie, while you’re “allergic” to magic bullets, I’m “allergic” to drugs.
People have been helped by some drugs, but it seems to me, more and more, we are seeing so many bad side effects, and cases where they just don’t work.
I am so happy for both Kyrie and you. I was feeling your “pain”…just imagining if it were one of my animals, and I was standing by helplessly, trying to figure out what to do to help them.
While I agree that we must not jump at some of these cure-alls that come along…we must also be open minded to nature, and what it has to offer us in the way of possible cures.
After all, we are a part of nature too.
Comment by Marcy — May 3, 2008 @ 8:07 pm
Great News!!
I have to agree with Bernie; I remember those mustard plasters, and other poltices we experienced as kids. Things that were brought over from the “old country” and from the rural country. Today it is very easy and quick to pop a pill-
There has been lots in the literature lately re: honey. So this is really amazing.
Medicine and Magic Bullets: I can remember while working in the medical field many years ago…how we looked upon chiropracters,podiatrists and optometrists as not real doctors.
Katie
Comment by Katie — May 4, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
Wow, I’m just so glad Kyrie is doing so much better! I was scared for both of you. Being a huge lover of ‘medicinal’ honey, taken internally, this gives me some food for thought (pun intended, snorkle). Really, I think there is a lot for modern medicine to learn from traditional treatments; it doesn’t have to be all one or the other.
Comment by Cardimom — May 5, 2008 @ 10:19 am
Thanks for a fair and balanced article on allopathic/ natural medicine, however, while I also do not approve of any magic cure alls , either naturopathic nor allopathic, it does strike me as odd that the vet didn’t think of trying to treat the skin infection on the skin…Even when seeking allopathic care, sometimes the solution is right under our noses. My dogs see a homeopath, I see an accupuncturist and we all have allopathic doctors who understand and support our position regarding medicine as well.
It is becoming increasingly clear that an integrated approach is probably best, leaning toward naturopathic care for non-emergency situations.
The general public needs to hear these stories and being cautious with them only keeps pets getting the care they need. While I appreciate where you are coming, regarding restraint, next time you hesitate to share the benefits of any form of health care, allopathic or natural, think of all of the pets needlessly euthanized because their owners didn’t have the knowledge to try alternatives.
It is up to the community of natural health practitioners and educated pet parents to make this information easily accessible on the web. This is how people find alternative medicine!
Comment by Hilary — May 5, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
Id just like to add that unless you had a culture done and the specific strain of the bug was positively identified I would not be so quick to use the term “super” bug. It sound much more like a less than effective course of treatment for an otherwise treatable infection.
Of this bug I can only pass along what an old colleage of mine used to day… “its easy to look like an eagle when you are working with turkeys.”
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — May 5, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
Bernie, I had cultures done… and the strains were identified as both methicillin-resistant staphylococcus intermedius and multi-drug resistant staphylococcus intermedius. Did you not read all the links?
Comment by Christie Keith — May 5, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
What great news! I’m so happy for you! And even more glad to read this having just spent the last hour reading about Eight Belles. Thanks for such a well reasoned post- very logical. The quality of the honey, being 1) active, 2) from the Manuka bush, and 3) prepared as a topical pad, are all very important elements that should not be overlooked by anyone seeking information about the utility of honey in wound healing.
Comment by Margaret — May 6, 2008 @ 3:25 am
Talking about bees and honey, the reason I had mentioned about the bee biting my finger (and the cure following) is because the newspapers in Boston did a series of articles about people going to get bees to sting a small number of people for skin cures. It had worked for them, also. I guess that faded out. However, the problem with my finger never returned.
However, given that the bee population seems to be dwindling, the less overuse of bees the more will be available for necessary usage.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — May 6, 2008 @ 5:43 am
Christie,
Sorry to say, no I usually dont get the time to read all the links, much as Id like to.
But my larger point is that especially knowing that they had a resistant strain they continued with systemic antibiotics and not topical treatments for a skin infection…
Almost every farmer I know knows that for those type of wounds you apply topical medicines of the antiseptic variety and preferrably with some type of drying agent - at the very least.
If that fails, a poltice is standard issue.
Im really glad that you discovered this one and I will put it in my personal arsenal for sure! But whats up with your vets? They get a D- I think.
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — May 6, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
I’m so relieved! Considering how desperate the situation was getting and how quickly it cleared up, its pretty miraculous to me.
Comment by 2CatMom — May 7, 2008 @ 6:59 am