Protomorphology is a novel integrative nutritional approach to neurologic disorders and autoimmunity in cats and dogs that uses tissue-specific protein extract.
The following cases demonstrate how protomorphology can be used to support nervous system health.
Gabbe
Gabbe was a 3 year old F/S Golden Retriever who was referred for a nutritional supplement consult on February 14, 2014. She had a history of hot spots and a 4 month history of idiopathic epileptic seizures. She would experience grand-mal seizures 2-4 times a day every 10 to 14 days. Her owners were unwilling to place her on a recommended pharmaceutical protocol and were looking for alternative nutrition based therapies. Though this isn’t an ideal situation, nutritional therapy was started and the owners were cautioned to seek medical treatment for the dog should the seizures continue in frequency and/or severity.
Gabbe was started on a nervous system Protomorphogen™ (Neurotrophin PMG® –Standard Process) and was also started on a whole food based supplement to support healthy liver function (Livaplex® – Standard Process). She was also prescribed a fish oil supplement (Tuna Omega 3® – Standard Process).
Gabbe remained seizure-free for 8 weeks following the initiation of nutritional therapy and was reported to be much calmer in her temperament and behavior. Her owners commented that stress levels for the entire family had significantly reduced as a result. Her hot spots were also reported to be resolved. Gabbe was lost to follow-up, and the length of time that she remained seizure-free is unknown.
Marshall
Marshall was a 1 ½ year old M/N Springer Spaniel who had a history of grand-mal seizures every 2 weeks for several months. His diet consisted of Purina Dog Chow, Gravy Train, and Milk bone treats. He had normal CBC and chemistry panel results and was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. Medication was recommended to address the seizures but Marshall’s owner declined medical therapy. On June 3, 2013 Marshall was evaluated for nutritional recommendations. The owner declined further diagnostics which included a comprehensive thyroid panel. The following recommendations were made: his food was changed to a grain-free, complete and balanced moistened diet: he was started on a Protomorphogen™ (Neurotrophin PMG® – Standard Process), and whole food based supplements to support healthy liver function (Livaplex® – Standard Process) and general body system/endocrine support (Catalyn®- Standard Process).
Marshall became seizure free following the initiation of nutritional therapy and at the 5 month mark in October 2013, the owner reported that she had discontinued the supplements due to cost. The dog continued to be healthy, happy and seizure-free until August 2014 when the owner reported that Marshall had a round of cluster seizures, was hospitalized and placed on Phenobarbital to manage the seizures. Marshall experienced side effects on the medication: drooling, whining and delirious behavior. Despite recommendation to continue medical therapy along with restarting nutritional supplementation, the owner stopped the medication and just started nutritional therapy but the dog’s quality of life declined rapidly and he was subsequently euthanized.
George
George the cat was ten months old when he presented in March of 2016 for a nutritional consult due to acute (over the last three weeks) and progressive neurologic symptoms including an inability to jump, weakness, a choppy gait in the rear, and mental dullness. He was an indoor cat who had been adopted from a shelter several months prior. He had been to a veterinary neurologist with no definitive diagnosis despite extensive testing. He tested positive on an FIP blood test, but results were inconclusive for active disease. George was very quiet, subdued and non-painful upon examination.
Nutrition Response Testing® (NRT) revealed blocked autonomic nervous system regulation and a PNS switch associated with environmental EMFs (electromagnetic fields) and heavy metal/ petrochemical challenges. A biologically-appropriate, meatbased low-carbohydrate diet was recommended. George was also started on a whole food-based mineral supplement (Organically Bound Minerals®), a supplement to support toxin binding (Cholacol II®), and a salivary Protomorphogen (Parotid PMG®) to support detoxification of heavy metals and chemicals.
Within a month of initiating nutritional therapy, George’s gait began to improve. He was starting to jump onto low furniture and was more interactive. At his two-month recheck he tested for additional cardiovascular and neuromuscular nutritional support (Feline Cardiac Support), and at his 12-week recheck he was mentally engaged, and able to jump from floor to countertop. After six months of nutritional therapy, his gait was visibly normal and he was back to regular activity, jumping up to multiple levels on his cat tree. Supplements were incrementally decreased. One year later, George remains fully recovered.
Miller
Miller, an eight-year-old M/N Sealyham terrier, was diagnosed with GME (Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis) in late 2008. He was placed on cyclosporine, prednisone and gabapentin and made a full symptomatic recovery. Within a month of treatment, he experienced gingival hyperplasia and the cyclosporine was discontinued. He then experienced relapses at several-month intervals. Euthanasia was recommended during one episode, though Miller experienced intermittent improvements on drug therapy, which included azathioprine and procarbazine.
During his current remission, his owners became concerned with the long-term effects of the drugs on his immune system, and sought nutritional consult. Nutritional recommendations for Miller included: grain-free diet, whole food-based nutritional supplements (Canine Immune Support, Canine Hepatic Support, Canine Whole Body Support) and a nervous system Protomorphogen (Neurotrophin PMG).
One year later, Miller was reported as active, happy, pain-free and thriving. He was eating a home-cooked diet, was off all medication and continued on his supplement protocol. The supplements were to be decreased to the lowest effective dose, but because GME is a chronic condition, his nutritional therapy and support were recommended to continue lifelong.
