About the remedies | Choice of remedies | My introduction to homoeopathy |
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The remedies, beginning with the letter A B C D E G H I K L M N O P R S T U |
I wont go into all the history of this therapy, or details of how it works (see the Links for more information), but will say that it is an energy medicine, which can work on several levels rather than just the physical level. So it takes into account the mental and emotional spheres and this is just as important to bear in mind when dealing with our dogs (or other animals) as it is with humans, which is how all the symptom pictures for the homoeopathic remedies were discovered. People took the remedies (or the substance from which the remedy is made in some cases) and reported on the symptoms that occurred on whatever level - physical, mental, and emotional. These are known as "provings".
It may be difficult to discover what thoughts and feelings our animals are having, but it is possible to put yourself in their position and gather some insight by realising what you would be feeling in the circumstances. It can, of course, be difficult to find out any detailed physical symptom picture for an animal, because they have limited ways of showing what is wrong. You may be able to see they are in pain, for instance, but the homoeopathic repertorising (the classical way of choosing a remedy) calls for more detail, such as is it a stabbing pain or a dull ache? For all these questions, and for how to individualise the diet and supplement programme for each dog, the best way is to ask the dog itself. This can be done either through interspecies communication or by using a method such as muscle testing (kinesiology) or dowsing. (for more details, click here)
Interspecies communication is best known in the United States, where there are many communicators available, but there are several in the United Kingdom as well, and no doubt elsewhere in the world. But there is no reason why anyone should not be able to communicate directly with their own animals using one method or the other. Both subjects are dealt with in Diane Steins books The Natural Remedy Book For Dogs and Cats and Natural Healing For Dogs and Cats, but see also the bibliography and kinesiology. Penelope Smith was probably the first of the American animal communicators and she has written a book on how to communicate with animals, as well as a book on her own work in this field (see Bibliography for full details). She has also made tapes on several allied subjects, including one on animal death, and one on how to communicate with animals.
Homeopathic remedies may be obtained in the form of tablets, pills, pillules, powders, or liquids. Those readily available in chemists and health food shops (in the U.K.) are usually in the form of tablets or soft pills (which dissolve very quickly in the mouth). For emergency remedies it is helpful to get them in powder or liquid form, as these are most quickly assimilated, can be administered to even an unconscious animal, and don't require precious time wasted in preparation - such as crushing a tablet.
The tablets are made from lactose, which can be a problem with lactose intolerant animals, and the liquids contain alcohol, which can be a problem with some animals and, particularly, with birds. The pills and pillules are normally made from sucrose.
When giving homeopathic remedies, it is better not to touch the tablets or pills. Use the bottle cap to dispense them and do not put back in the bottle any you have touched. If you are giving them immediately to your dog, then you can touch them briefly but it is better to avoid touching them as much as possible.
The remedies may be given with a tidbit but are best not given with a full meal. For my dogs I cut a tiny square of bread, drip any liquid remedy on to it, top with a dab of honey or cream cheese (depending on the dog's preference) and stick tablet or pill to that. Or I crush a tablet and put it onto a half-teaspoon of chicken jelly in a small saucer. This way there is no feeling of being given a medicine; it is a treat and greatly appreciated. For horses, the remedy can be stuck in a piece of apple or carrot. For our sheep, we found they most appreciated cheese biscuits as a carrier for remedies! But often with farm animals the remedies can be put in the drinking water, or mixed with a small amount of food and trough fed, or diluted in water in a spray bottle and sprayed on their faces, or any area of skin not covered by hair.
The bottles of remedies should be kept away from heat, sunlight, and strong smells. This means, don't store them near the stove or fire, nor on a sunny windowsill, nor in the same place as you keep essential oils, soaps, etc. They will last for years as long as these rules are kept to.
Homeopathic therapy can seem quite complicated, as it does not just involve choosing the right remedy but also the best potency and dosage regime, all of which will need to be suited to each individual animal. This problem can be removed by using one of the suggested methods of choosing remedies other than by using the classical homeopathic procedure of reportorising.
Potencies are divided into decimal (signified by "x") and centesimal (signified by "c" or "M"). The method of potentising is to take one drop of the Mother Tincture (symbolised by "Ø") and add it to 9 (for a decimal potency) or 99 (for a centesimal potency) drops of alcohol, or alcohol and water, and succuss. Succussion is the procedure of banging the bottle against a book, or shaking vigorously at least one hundred times. This makes 1x or 1c. To proceed, a drop of 1x or 1c is added to 9 or 99 drops of alcohol and succussed, which makes 2x or 2c. The next step makes 3x or 3c, and so on. 1M is the centesimal potentisation 1,000 times, i.e. one drop to ninety-nine drops carried out one thousand times.
The potencies most often used in the U.K. are 6c and 30c. The decimal potencies are more often used in European countries such as Germany and France, although some remedies in the U.K. are used in these potencies. Sometimes higher potencies such as 1M or 10M are used. In a few cases a remedy will be given in the Mother Tincture.
Some remedies work best in certain potencies (for example Rhus tox. in 6c or 1M); others work differently in different potencies (for example Hepar Sulph. in low potency promotes suppuration, while in high potency it aborts the suppurative process), and in some cases it is best to start low and work up through increasingly higher potencies, or, very occasionally, start high and work down through increasingly lower potencies. Homeopathic vet Christopher Day describes low potencies as like a shotgun, in that they cover a wide range and are likely to affect conditions for which they are not quite the perfect remedy, whereas a high potency is like a rifle and you have to be spot-on with the remedy for it to work.
The complications of remedy, potency, and dosage are mainly why it is safest to stick to first aid treatment and to treating in conjunction with other veterinary therapy such as surgery unless you are an expert homeopath or well-versed in the other ways of choosing remedies, potency, and dosage. One of the main ways in which homeopathic remedies are given is as a "constitutional" remedy, which means suiting a remedy to the "type" of animal (or person) by taking into account the temperament, behaviour, sometimes the build, coat colour, appetite, thirst, and any other individual thing. The book by German vet H.G. Wolff - Homoeopathic Medicine for Dogs - gives the most detail on this method of choosing a constitutional remedy for a dog.
Another way of dealing with the choice of remedy for a problem is to look at the cause of the problem, where that is known or can be guessed at. For example, any problem occurring after trauma would probably first be treated by giving Arnica, although another remedy - Bellis perennis - is also a good remedy for trauma, but more for deeper trauma than Arnica. It is sometimes possible to say "s/he has never been well since........" and this can be very helpful in finding the right remedy. If it is "never well since s/he was spayed/neutered" or "had that operation for....", then the remedy to give is Staphysagria. If it is "never well since our old dog died" (or the cat/horse/guinea pig, etc.) or "since she lost her puppies", then the remedy would be Ignatia, at least as a first step. If that did not effect a complete cure, then the next step would be to use either Nat. mur. or Phos. acid. More detail on this is given in Christopher Day's book The Homoeopathic Treatment of Small Animals.
Dosage is usually geared to the severity of the illness, whether it is chronic (has been there for some time) or acute (came on suddenly and very recently - acute conditions can become chronic), the potency being used, and, to some extent, the remedy being used. Some remedies work best being given at frequent intervals for a short time (for example, Aconitum) and some remedies work best being given infrequently (for example, Calc. fluor.)
In classical homeopathy only one remedy is given at a time, and, in fact, preferably one remedy should be all that is needed. However, homeopathy is used in various ways and there are several companies making complex homeopathic remedies, which may contain a dozen or more remedies, sometimes together with glandulars in homeopathic potency. Glandulars are made from body organs such as adrenals, kidneys, and so on. Some therapists use a remedy of what has caused a problem in order to treat that problem, for example using a nosode made from a vaccine in order to treat damage caused by the vaccine. This is strictly called Isopathy, even though it is using remedies made in homeopathic potency.
Nosodes are homeopathic remedies made from disease processes (such as nasal discharge in Distemper) or from the causative organisms of infections (such as E. coli) and these are used both to treat the condition when it has occurred and to treat prophylactically (that is, to prevent the disease occurring - something in the way of a vaccine except that nosodes do not work like vaccines in stimulating the body to make antibodies). There are nosodes available for any infection, including all of those that dogs are usually vaccinated against. Very often these nosodes are put together in one remedy (in the U.K. this is usually known as the Dog Combination) but they can be obtained as separate remedies as well.
The Dog Combination is useful for treating vaccinosis or vaccine reaction, where it is not known which part of a multivalent vaccine has caused the problem, but for prophylactic treatment the single nosodes are best. Treatment can be started in a litter when the puppies are two weeks old, using the 6c potency of Parvovirus and giving twice a day for two weeks, then going on to the Distemper nosode, also in 6c and twice a day for two weeks. ). At six weeks go on to both nosodes in 30c and give twice a day for a week, then once a day for another week, then twice a week for a month, then once a month.
If you want to give other nosodes, then start them singly at six weeks, 30c potency and the same dosage rate as for parvo and distemper. The puppies should be covered at the end of the first two weeks. If this doesn't prove possible (because the puppies are older by the time you decide to start, for example) then start the parvo and distemper together in 30c potency and twice a day for two weeks, then once a day for another week, twice a week for a month, and then once a month.
You can start an older hound on the same regime at any age.
My introduction to homoeopathy was in 1980 when we had an elderly bitch which, for the past six months, had become unwell every evening at about six and got steadily worse until about two a.m., when she would be perfectly all right until the next evening. She was restless and uncomfortable, wandered around, wanted to go out and once out wanted to come back in, wouldnt lie down at all and would only sit for seconds before going back to the wandering. She kept going to the water bowl but would only drink a few laps at a time. Everything the vets did either had no effect or made her worse and they eventually suggested euthanasia, which I was not happy about, especially as she was fine during the day.
That was the first year the Homoeopathic Development Foundation took a stall at Crufts Dog Show and I picked up a small booklet by homoeopathic vet George MacLeod. The booklet listed the most used remedies with details of their symptom pictures and the second one painted a complete picture of Gaias problem, so I rushed out to the health food shop and bought the remedy and within three days she was fine, despite my giving her all the wrong dosage! The remedy was Arsenicum Album, the main symptoms of which are restlessness and anxiety, thirsty but only drinking a small amount at a time, worsening at midnight.
George MacLeod had a surgery only twenty minutes drive away, so I started going to him and he was kind enough to talk about homoeopathy and lend me books. His knowledge was encyclopaedic and he worked several miracles on our animals - sheep as well as dogs. One of the miracles was with a nine year old wolfhound male which had come back from a walk going a little lame on one hind leg. I couldnt find anything, so presumed hed twisted it or something but by the next morning the leg was swollen to the stifle joint and he couldnt put the foot to the ground. I called out the vet, who also couldnt find anything and was completely baffled. The next day the leg was swollen to the hip, grossly enlarged and turning black, and the dog was hardly conscious. The vet came out again and was sitting on the floor prodding at the leg and foot when suddenly there was an explosion of pus and black stuff under his fingers and two holes appeared at the top of the foot. The dog had been bitten by an adder! The vet held out no hope at all as the leg was already turning gangrenous, so I rushed over to George MacLeod, who gave me the remedy Echinacea. I had to tip the powder into the dogs mouth because of his being barely conscious but after the third dose he lifted his head and looked around and by the end of the day the swelling in the leg was going down and he was looking for food. By the next day he was almost back to normal.
After a start like that, it was natural that homoeopathy should be my first therapy, although I do use other therapies as well.
The main thing to remember about classical homeopathy is that it takes a completely different view of disease to that of the Rationalist school (conventional medicine and science) and this is extremely important in using homoeopathy in healing. All too often what many people, even trained practitioners, are doing is treating a disease in much the same way as conventional doctors and veterinarians treat a disease, only using homeopathic remedies in place of drugs.
The Rationalist view of disease is that it mainly comes from outside the body - bacteria, viruses, and other microbes, for example - or that it is inherited genetically. This is why vaccines are seen as the answer to all disease: produce a vaccine for every known disease and you can prevent any disease from occurring. Result: a completely healthy population. Health to the Rationalist way of thinking is an absence of symptoms, or, at least, the absence of symptoms that make up a picture that can be recognised as belonging to a specific disease. Symptoms which occur but which appear to have no significance to any known disease, or which seem to bear no relation to each other such as a headache and a sore toe, would not be looked on as illhealth.
In the homeopathic (or Empirical) view, disease is a process affecting an individual and not a collection of symptoms to which a name has been given. In this view the headache and sore toe would not be separate but would both be indications of the way in which the individual was expressing disease. The progress of disease rather depends on the strength of the individual's vital force (its inner life force), so where the vital force is strong the disease will be kept to less important areas of the body (less important from a survival point of view, that is), such as the skin and hair. Progression if suppressive rather than healing treatment was given would then be inwards but to less important systems or glands, for example to the digestive system, the thyroid gland, the muscular system. Driven deeper by more suppressive treatment, it would be forced to go to the more important areas such as the circulatory system, the nervous system, the liver and kidneys and so on. If the vital force is weak, the disease could well go straight to the major organs.
However, it should be borne in mind that by the time obvious signs of internal disease are present (especially when they are determinable by blood tests, etc.), the disease process is well under way. For example, when a dog is found to have severe arthritis in its hip the disease has not suddenly occurred when the dog first started limping but has been developing over what could be many months or even years. And the appearance of a cancerous tumour is not the first sign of the disease process but the end result of what has been going on internally over a period of time.
There is also the miasm, which could be called an inherited tendency to produce symptoms of disease in certain ways. For example, the basic miasm is known as psora (the Itch), which does not just produce itchy skin conditions but any kind of irritation such as epilepsy, digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, and aggression. Psora is also a tendency to under-respond to illness, so would include immune-deficiency disorders such as demodex and virus rhinitis, and problems with recurrent infections. The other miasms are sycosis and syphilis. Sycosis is a tendency to over-respond to illness such as with tumours and cancers, but also with raging fevers, and syphilis is a tendency for self-destruction, such as with ulcers, degenerative bone disorders, and auto-immune diseases. It is considered by some that new miasms are occurring, such as vaccine, tuberculosis, and cancer. There is also a theory that a miasmic toxin is taking over from the actual miasms.
Vaccinosis is the term given to the effects caused in the body by vaccines. It is suggested that vaccines prevent the diseases for which they are given by giving rise to chronic illness and that chronic illness is called vaccinosis. There are no specific symptoms that define vaccinosis; it is simply a disease process started by vaccination which will differ from animal to animal. Thuja is the main remedy known for dealing with vaccinosis.
Where there is a weak vital force, the potency of the remedy given should be kept to the lower ones, and high potencies are best given only where there is a strong vital force, as a weak vital force may not be able to cope with the kick-start to the system given by a high potency.
Cure works from the inside out; the head down; the most recent symptoms to the earlier symptoms. There can be an aggravation from a homeopathic remedy, i.e. the symptoms or some of the symptoms may worsen, but, if the remedy is the correct one, it will be a healing aggravation in which the patient in itself will feel better and be showing some signs (however small) of feeling better. Such an aggravation will be of short duration and will be followed by improvement in the condition. An aggravation can occur when the wrong remedy is given and this will be of longer duration and the patient will not be feeling better in themself. The aggravation in this instance will stop when the remedy is stopped, or, at least, when the remedy's action is finished.
In acute conditions (of sudden onset) the remedy may be given frequently but how frequently depends on the severity of the condition. For example, in anaphylactic shock or gastric torsion the remedies could be given every few minutes; for a serious infection at hourly or two hourly intervals; for lesser acute conditions three to four times a day (although this would also depend to some extent on the potency given and the remedy itself). For chronic disease (disease that has come on gradually/been there a long time) often the chosen remedy will be given as a single dose and then there will be a waiting period to watch for improvement and another dose (possibly of a different potency) will be given when the improvement from the first dose has reached a plateau. It is important to have patience, because healing may well take some time, particularly where a condition has been around for some time.
It is possible to suppress illness with homeopathic remedies, just as it is with conventional drugs, and push it in to a deeper level. It is also possible to palliate (that is, lessen the severity of) the symptoms without actually instituting healing but without necessarily pushing the disease deeper. Obviously healing is what is wanted and for this the correct remedy is necessary. However, even the correct remedy may not work to best effect if the patient is affected by strong environmental factors such as powerful chemicals from, for example, new carpets or flea treatment, or geopathic stress; or if it has a major imbalance in trace elements/minerals; or if its diet is poor in other ways, or if it is being given other medicines at the same time as the homoeopathic remedy. This includes such therapies as Essential oils and even some dietary supplements.
I will cover some of the remedies in greater depth, starting with Aconite.
These suggestions should not take the place of proper veterinary attention, but are intended only to help with the use of the remedies in first aid
If you are in the U.K. you can find your nearest homoeopathic veterinary surgeon by contacting the British Association of Homoeopathic Veterinary Surgeons, Alternative Veterinary Centre, Chinham House, Stanford-in-the-Vale, Faringdon, Oxon SN7 8NQ, tel. 01367 710324/710475, fax. 01367 718243. Website: http://www.bahvs.com/
ACONITUM NAPELLUS - (commonly known as Aconite) This is a short-acting remedy, which does not have much depth of action but is excellent for stopping infections and inflammations in their early stages. It is useful for conditions brought on by cold winds or dry, cold weather. It is especially useful to give in cases of shock and fright, as its strongest characteristic is physical and mental restlessness and fright. Obvious symptoms might be staring eyes, panting, trembling, pacing or circling. For anxiety, howling, confusion, unsteadiness, animals that are inconsolable. Sensitivity to sound and light. Give at frequent intervals for up to six doses in one day.
APIS MELLIFICA - (commonly known as Apis mel.) made from the honey bee, and the characteristic effects of a bee sting furnish the indications for its use. Swelling or puffing up of various parts, oedema, the skin red and shiny, soreness, intolerance of heat and the slightest touch. Afternoon aggravation. This remedy works particularly well on the outer surfaces - skin, coatings of inner organs, and serous membranes. Any disorder where there is serous inflammation. Eyelids swollen and red, inflamed. Acute inflammation of kidneys; swollen joints with the skin tight and shiny red. For bee stings where the area is hot, shiny, swollen and painful. Very useful at the start of elbow hygroma (commonly called "bursitis") in the wolfhound. When the lump over the elbow joint has been there more than a week or so, then Apis is unlikely to work, or will only work to a slight extent.
ARNICA MONTANA - (commonly known as Arnica) THE remedy no-one should be without. For any trauma, whether physical or mental/emotional and however long in the past. Any condition resulting from falls, blows, injuries. Also for conditions where there is or might be sepsis, as it is a preventative of pus infection. Give before and after surgery, and to a pregnant bitch before and after giving birth. Use in 30c potency before surgery or dental treatment or whelping to prevent bruising or bleeding, and in a high potency such as 1M or 10M afterwards to aid recovery and prevent bruising and bleeding. Use in high potency for a major trauma. For treating trauma in the distant past use in a 6x potency. Give after any fall or collision, after a gruelling day working, after a particularly long walk. Give for strains and sprains, for broken bones and dislocations, and for abscesses. Give following any accident or upset, as much to calm the mind as the body. It is also the remedy for haematoma (swellings caused by bleeding under the skin) and for other kinds of bleeding such as nosebleeds. Give when any wound occurs, to prevent infection and aid healing.
ARSENICUM ALBUM - (commonly known as Arsen. alb.) one of the polycrests (a remedy that works profoundly on a wide range of conditions). Debility, exhaustion, restlessness and anxiety, changing places constantly or moving limbs and body all the time when lying down, nightly aggravation, great exhaustion after the slightest exertion. Fear, fright and worry. Injurious effects of fruit, especially watery fruits. The odour of discharges is putrid. Gradual loss of weight from impaired nutrition. Likes to keep the head high - resting it on something if possible, which can be the case especially in conditions such as pneumonia and septicaemia. Anxiety and restlessness are the main symptoms. Thirsty but only for small amounts at a time. Wants warmth, even lying up against radiators and stoves. Works especially well on vomiting and diarrhoea together, so it is a remedy to think of in cases of parvovirus and other similar infections. Itchy skin, worse for scratching, circular patches of bare spots, rough and scaly, with dandruff. Discharges are thin and watery and acrid. Nauseated by the sight or smell of food - can be helpful for the dog that appears hungry but, when its bowl is put down, takes a look or a sniff and turns away. A possible remedy for separation anxiety. Ailments that respond to Arsen. alb. are often worse at night, particularly towards midnight, and improve in the early hours of the morning. They also often recur annually.
BELLADONNA - for fever, usually violent and sudden in onset. Always associated with hot, red skin, staring eyes, excited mental state, restless sleep, convulsive movements, dryness of mouth and throat and a great thirst but aversion to water. It is one of the remedies useful for treating fitting. Symptoms are worse for noise, touch, jarring, afternoon, lying down. Better sitting. For dogs that attack without warning or provocation, get overwrought into an excitable, anxious state, or have fits of raging, biting and tearing at things.
BRYONIA ALBA - (commonly known as Bryonia) the main symptom with this remedy is worse for movement. An animal tries to stay completely still, not even turning its head or moving a muscle when the condition is really bad, and is reluctant to move when the problem is less severe. The pains are found everywhere but especially in the chest. Hacking cough with much hawking, so can be used for infectious diseases such as Kennel Cough, but only where the cough is worse for movement and when coming into a warm room. Often called for in cases of rheumatism and arthritis. Unlike the dog requiring Arsen. alb., the dog needing Bryonia wants not to lift its head. Worse in the evening and the open air, and in warm weather after cold days. Physical weakness and apathy. Bryonia problems are better for lying on the painful side or part, for pressure, and for cold. Can be useful in some cases of elbow hygroma (bursitis) in the wolfhound once the condition has progressed past the earliest stages where Apis will work. See also Calc. fluor.
CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS - (commonly known as Cactus) especially useful for heart disorders (usually given with Crataegus and/or Digitalis). Helps oedema, weak heart, low blood pressure, valvular disease.
CALCAREA CARBONICA - (commonly known as Calc. carb.) mostly used for skeletal growth problems in the young, although it is also given to pregnant bitches to prevent eclampsia. Also given to young animals with a problem with calcium assimilation. As a constitutional remedy it is normally unsuited for wolfhound puppies, since its constitutional type is fat and sluggish.
CALCAREA FLUORICA - (commonly known as Calc. fluor.) normally used for bony exostoses and glandular swellings, including nodular tumours of the mammary glands in the bitch. Can be of help in treating cataracts. Also useful for treating elbow hygroma (bursitis) in wolfhounds once past the early fluid stage. Give infrequently (twice a week at most).
CALCAREA PHOSPHORICA - (commonly known as Calc. phos.) mostly used for skeletal growth problems in the young, but also for such problems as diarrhoea caused by milk. Not unlike Calc. Carb. in its use but suited more to the lean, rangy type and therefore a better remedy for wolfhound puppies. A possible remedy for diabetes insipidus in the adult dog.
CALCAREA SULPHURICA - (commonly known as Calc. sulph.) for septic conditions where the pus has found an outlet, so for abscesses that have burst, or for septic wounds that will not heal, and for anal gland abscesses that are discharging. Also inflammation of middle ear with purulent discharge; suppurative tonsillitis (a form of suppurative tonsillitis has caused sudden death in some hound breeds); a possible remedy for the replacement of antibiotics in the treatment of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.
CALENDULA OFFICINALIS - (commonly known as Calendula) this remedy is particularly useful for speeding healing of any type of open wound. Applied topically it is used in the Mother Tincture (Ø), diluted 1 to 10 with warm water. If being applied to jagged wounds, such as tears from barbed wire or claws, which involve damage to nerves, then combine with Hypericum Ø. Can be given in potency (any potency) internally during topical treatment to hasten healing.
CARBO ANIMALIS - particularly useful for degenerative conditions in the old dog. Also for mammary tumours and some skin affections with generalised itching and inflammation or soft, wart-like growths.
CARBO VEGETABILIS - (commonly known as Carbo veg.) particularly for any case of shock and collapse, no matter what the cause. It particularly affects the circulation, so the animal that is cold to the touch and keeps getting infections. For newborns that are slow to start breathing. It has long been known as the "corpse reviver". Abdominal discomfort after eating with tenderness over the stomach area. Flatulent colic. Poor digestion with frequent burping. And for nosebleeds with sneezing.
CAULOPHYLLUM - has a special affinity for the female reproductive system and can be used as an alternative to Pituitrin in cases of uterine inertia. Give in the 30c potency once a day for the week before whelping is due to prevent primary uterine inertia and give a dose at any time there is a long delay between puppies and when labour appears to be finished to expel any remaining foetus or afterbirth. Can also be useful in arthritic conditions of the small joints such as pasterns, stifle, hock, feet.
CAUSTICUM - mainly of use in chronic rheumatic, arthritic and paralytic affections, with deformities of the joints; progressive loss of muscular strength. Restlessness at night, weakness leading to gradual paralysis. Paralysis locally of muscles such as those of the tongue, eyelids, face, bladder. Prone to warts, especially on the face, which are large and bleed easily. Soreness in folds of skin. Pains are sharp and tearing, so the animal may be reluctant to move, which can seem like a problem requiring Bryonia. Conditions are worse for dry cold winds, clear fine weather, cold air; and better in damp or wet weather and from warmth. Also for flat warts. Chronic cystitis.
CHAMOMILLA - particularly known as a teething remedy. A disposition that is mild, calm and gentle contra-indicates this remedy. The Chamomilla patient is sensitive, irritable, thirsty and hot and is characterised by whining restlessness. All pains are unendurable. Useful in problems occurring around time of teething (skin problems, epilepsy, colic, etc. or behavioural problems) and in later life for problems that date back to teething. Is often successful in stopping an older puppy or adult dog from destructive chewing that started with teething. Can also work in some cases of false pregnancy, and some cases of mastitis where there is much pain and heat. Also earache with the ear hot and swollen and the sufferer going frantic. A possible remedy for puppy strangles and hypertrophic osteodystrophy, which can be very painful.
CHELIDONIUM MAJUS - a liver remedy. Jaundice, diarrhoea alternating with colic, congested liver; stools bright yellow or pasty. Ailments brought on or renewed by change of weather. Biliousness. A guiding symptom is that the dog will favour or be lame on its right foreleg. This is due to a constant pain under the lower part of the right scapula.
CHININUM ARSENICOSUM - this remedy can be especially useful in some cases of loss of appetite, typically where the dog appears to be hungry but is very fussy about the food. Will eat something eagerly but when given it again will turn away and refuse to touch it but will eat something new, only to refuse to touch that again.
CINCHONA OFFICINALIS - (commonly known as CHINA). The remedy for any dog suffering from weakness or debility, especially in times of haemorrhaging or chronic or prolonged diarrhoea, or during any other period of loss of body fluids. For internal bleeding in dogs with von Willebrands Disease.
COCCULUS - inability to open the mouth or swallow, drooling. An epilepsy remedy. Worse for movement, noise, and jarring,. Nausea from riding in cars, boats, etc. or looking at a boat in motion, so a travel sickness remedy.
COLCHICUM - a remedy for flatulent colic, but also for inflammation and stiffness of joints, and for conditions where dropsy (fluid retention in the tissues) is present. Guiding symptoms are aversion to food and worse from movement.
COLOCYNTHIS - this is a remedy that can be very useful in breeds prone to bloat/gastric torsion. It is given as a first aid remedy in cases of bloating with great pain, and with back arched. But it should only be used as a first aid remedy before or while rushing to the veterinary surgery.
CONIUM MACULATUM - (commonly known as Conium) the proving of this remedy was carried out by Socrates (the remedy is made from poison hemlock) and its main symptom is an ascending paralysis. It is particularly a remedy for old dogs, with weakness, sluggishness, and local congestions. Weakness of body and mind, trembling. It is used for the paralysis caused by spinal cord degeneration but also for any weakness, especially in the hind legs. Eye problems of the aged. Can help in chronic ulceration. Symptoms are worse when lying down, and on rising and from exertion, but are better for movement.
CRATAEGUS - a great remedy for cardiomyopathy. Strengthens the heart muscle; a heart tonic. Its symptoms include failing compensation, irregular heart beat, anaemia, oedema. Chronic heart disease with extreme weakness. Feeble and irregular heart action. Irregular pulse and breathing; cardiac dropsy; heart dilated. It is used in the Mother Tincture.
CROTALUS HORRIDUS - this is made from rattlesnake venom and is useful in treating infected wounds and septic conditions which are accompanied by oozing of blood from body orifices. Has been used in high potency to successfully counteract Warfarin poisoning. Can be useful in cases of haematoma of the ear flap, and for bleeding post-operatively in dogs affected by von Willebrands Disease.
DIGITALIS - another heart remedy, with pulse weak, irregular, and slow, but quickened by least effort. Heart is weak and dilated. Fibrillation. Can even help in heart failure. Used in 12x potency.
DROSERA - a cough remedy, often the first choice for Kennel Cough. Spasmodic dry cough, with attacks close together. Coughing with retching or vomiting, dog behaving as though something is caught in its throat. Symptoms worse lying down, for warmth, for swallowing, and after midnight.
ECHINACEA - blood poisoning, septic conditions, gangrene. Snake bites and bites and stings generally, and toxaemic states originating from bites or stings. Inflammation of the lymphatic system. Suppurating discharges following whelping. Best given in a low potency such as 3x.
GELSEMIUM - particularly useful for treating anticipatory fear, such as going to the vets, shows, etc. Fear of thunder. Rooted to the spot with fear. Urinating from fear. Also useful for excitable male dogs and for some forms of epilepsy. Conditions accompanied by weakness and muscle tremors.
GLONOINE - particularly useful in case of heat stroke. Any disorder from over-heating.
GRAPHITES - a remedy particularly for skin conditions in which portions of the skin are rough and hard with persistent dryness. Eruptions oozing a moist, sticky exudation. Eczema particularly in bends of joints and behind the ears. Unhealthy skin, every little injury suppurates. Loss of hair and a watery discharge from ears and eyes. For some types of interdigital cysts, especially those showing moist swellings. Worse for warmth and at night.
HAMAMELIS - to control bleeding from the nose and haemorrhages from uterus and lung, weakness from loss of blood, pain in open wounds, post-operative pain. Passive venous haemorrhages from any part.
HEPAR SULPHURIS CALCAREUM - (commonly known as Hepar sulph.) particularly useful in cases of suppuration. Abscesses, pus filled spots, ulcers with bloody suppuration smelling like old cheese, interdigital cysts, anal gland infections, ear problems where there is suppuration and sensitivity to pain, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) where the gums are painful and red, some skin problems such as "puppy pox" - the condition that occurs in puppies at weaning, where pustules occur mainly on the abdomen - and some forms of eczema and dermatitis where there is a discharge of pus and often a smell like old cheese. This smell is characteristic of ear infections that respond to Hepar. Unhealthy skin in which every little injury suppurates. Interdigital cysts and dermatitis. Very sensitive to touch or the slightest draught. Better for warmth, after eating, in damp weather. In low potencies promotes suppuration (e.g. ripening of abscesses) and in high potencies it aborts the suppurative process. This means that, at the very beginning of a suppurative disorder, giving a high potency may well stop it in its tracks, but, once an abscess or infection has really got going, it is best to give a low potency and speed it to an early conclusion. Low potencies are the decimal potencies and the centesimal potencies up to 30C. High potencies are from 100C upwards.
HYPERICUM - the remedy for any crushing injury, especially of toes, nails and tail, as it is the specific for injuries to nerves. Excessive painfulness is a guiding symptom to its use. For punctured wounds as with bites or splinters (given with LEDUM). Relieves pain following surgery. For injuries it would normally be given with Arnica so as to cover the whole range of trauma and its results.
IGNATIA - the grief remedy. Also for great contradictions and rapid change of mental and physical condition, opposite to each other. Nervous, apprehensive, rigid, trembling. Ignatia is the first choice remedy for any condition that could be due to grief - so for any illness that has started since the death of a companion (human or animal), or for a bitch that has lost her puppies, or for a dog that has been abandoned. However, although it will help in all cases of grief, it works best with noisy grief. In humans this would be the weeping and wailing and throwing themselves on the funeral pyre, rather than the quiet weeping in a corner. So it is with animals that the quietly pining away could do better on Nat. Mur., while the howling, keening, hysterical ones will do best on Ignatia. If in doubt, give Ignatia but if that does not work within a few days, move on to Nat. Mur. Ignatia is also for hysteria, for dogs with a nervous temperament, sensitive and easily excited and wound up. For conditions where functional co-ordination is interfered with, such as the dog which tries to eat but cant seem to get at its bowl, which can occur with some neck problems, for example.
IODUM - for loss of flesh despite great appetite. [However, dogs with cardiomyopathy can constantly lose weight even though they are eating vast amounts, and Iodum would not be the treatment of choice in such circumstances] For conditions of glandular atrophy; acute exacerbation of chronic inflammation. Pneumonia. Hypothyroid. Can be useful in ovarian dysfunction; a useful gland remedy in general.
IPECAC - persistent nausea and vomiting. Vomits food, bile, blood, mucus. Violent cough, with every breath. Chest seems full of mucus but it does not loosen with coughing. Attacks can lead to collapse. Post operative vomiting. Nosebleed where blood is bright red; blood in the milk of bitches suckling pups; haemorrhage of bright red blood from the womb. Diarrhoea of young animals with blood in the stool.
KALI BICHROMICUM - (commonly known as Kali bich.) especially for conditions where there is a tough, stringy, viscid secretion. Such conditions can include nasal catarrh which is thick, ropy, and greenish-yellow, and there can be violent sneezing; eyelids swollen and puffy with a ropy yellow discharge from the eyes; vomiting of bright yellow water, stools brown and frothy; ropy mucus in urine.
KALI CARBONICUM - (commonly known as Kali carb.) extreme weakness; sensitive to every atmospheric change; intolerance of cold weather. For debilitated states, but not where there is fever. Swellings over upper eyelids, like small bags. Thick, yellow discharge from nose, with the nostrils sore and ulcerating. Dry hard cough, whole chest very sensitive, fluid in the chest. Weak, rapid pulse.
KALI CHLORICUM - (commonly known as Kali Chlor.) particularly for chronic nephritis with mouth problems such as stomatitis and swollen tongue.
KALI PHOSPHORICUM - (commonly known as Kali phos.) a nerve remedy. Prostration; weak and tired. Breath offensive, foetid; diarrhoea with foul putrid smell; very yellow urine. Debilitated conditions, especially in the young.
KALMIA LATIFOLIA - particularly useful for conditions of the old dog, such as heart conditions with bradycardia (slow heart rate), and ascites (fluid, especially in the abdomen), and also some joint and kidney conditions.
LACHESIS - this is made from the Bushmaster venom and is useful in treating adder bites, helping to prevent sepsis. The blood in haemorrhagic conditions is dark and does not clot readily. A left-sided remedy.
LEDUM PALUSTRE - (commonly known as Ledum) particularly for use in puncture wounds such as caused by bites, nails or splinters. Usually given with Hypericum. It is said to be a prophylactic for Tetanus.
LILIUM TIGRINUM - (commonly known as Lilium tig.) one of the female remedies. Offensive, dark, clotted bloody discharge from uterus. Bitch usually depressed and restless. A remedy for pyometra.
LYCOPODIUM - especially for urinary or digestive disturbances, which come on gradually, and where liver function is disturbed. Symptoms more on the right side of the body. Where there are kidney affections, there is red sand in the urine, which is voided slowly, and pain in the back over the loin area. Emaciation. Appears very hungry but can only eat a little. Abdomen bloated; stool small, hard and difficult to expel.
MALANDRINUM - ill effects of vaccination. Itchy feet with skin dry and scaly.
MERCURIUS CORROSIVUS - (commonly known as Merc. corr.) corrosive and destructive disorders; eye conditions with muco-purulent acrid discharge; slimy, blood-stained diarrhoea with severe straining; mouth ulcers; ear problems with black tarry exudate, ulceration of left ear; or suppuration from ear, possibly with blood present, thickening of ear flap; profuse, slimy saliva with foul smelling breath; great thirst with vomiting of slimy fluid; dry eczema or purulent wet eczema; straining on urination, possibly with greenish tinge to urine; symptoms worse sunset to sunrise, better for rest.
MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS - (commonly known as Merc. sol.) tendency to formation of pus which is thin, putrid, greenish; bloody and slimy diarrhoea with straining afterwards, as though more needs to be passed; frequent urging to urinate, with greenish discharge from urethra; anal irritation and swelling of anal glands with greenish discharge; soreness and ulceration of mouth with foul breath, drooling of viscid saliva; receding or spongy gums; gingivitis; tongue thickened and enlarged with marks of teeth showing; tremors; nostrils raw and ulcerated; intense thirst. Worse at night, from wet, damp weather, warmth, lying on right side. Conditions much the same as for Merc. corr. but not as severe.
NAJA TRIPUDIANS - (commonly known as Naja) cobra venom and another remedy especially suited to old dogs with heart trouble accompanied by a dry cough. Also chronic ear problems with blackish discharge.
NATRUM MURIATICUM - (commonly known as Nat. mur.) made from common salt. Particularly useful in chronic kidney complaints with excessive thirst and possibly vomiting of whitish mucus. Also for grief, especially hidden grief.
NUX VOMICA - (commonly known as Nux vom.) especially for abdominal and digestive disorders such as flatulence and indigestion, vomiting. Stomach and liver areas tender to touch, shallow difficult breathing with weakness over loin and dragging gait. Has been useful in treating umbilical hernias in the young.
ORNITHOGALUM - can be useful for pyloric stenosis, disorders of the duodenum; as a first aid remedy for gastric bloat when given in the Mother Tincture.
PETROLEUM - mainly used for eczema, especially where there is a dry scurfy rash around the eyes and ears; eczema of ear flaps; fissures inside ear. Skin which is dry, cracked, red, raw, bleeds easily. Conditions worse in winter and from damp, better for warm air and dry weather. A useful remedy for travel sickness.
PHOSPHORIC ACID - can be useful for young rapidly growing dogs to help regulate bone growth. Debility, usually with apathy, dehydration and loss of condition. Painless diarrhoea, usually yellow. Diabetes. Any problem starting with grief. Worse from exertion, better from warmth.
PHOSPHORUS - degenerative conditions, destruction of bone, hepatitis, jaundice, disease of the pancreas, nephritis. Haemorrhaging, wounds that continually bleed. Pneumonia that comes on very suddenly. Symptoms come on with great suddenness - prostration, pains, etc. Bone fragility. Emaciation with nervous debility. Swelling and necrosis of lower jaw. Gums swollen and bleeding, ulcerated. Persistent bleeding after dental surgery. Post-operative vomiting. Vomiting of food or water soon after eating or drinking. Abdominal colic, liver congested, stool clay coloured. Ascending paralysis with trembling of muscles. Progressive Retinal Atrophy. A cough that is painful and affects the whole body. Dogs that are sensitive to loud noises such as thunder, shooting, and fireworks. Worse evening, for touch, thunderstorms.
PHYTOLACCA - glandular swellings with heat and inflammation; the early stages of mammary tumours; mammary glands hard and painful; mastitis, possibly with abscess formation; tonsillitis with throat dark red or bluish red, difficulty swallowing. Aching, restlessness, soreness, weight loss. A tendency to develop boils. Pains in back and limbs that shift from place to place. Painful toes. Worse from getting wet, from cold or wet weather, night; better for dry weather, warmth and rest.
PLUMBUM METALLICUM - (commonly known as Plumbum met.) the blood, alimentary and nervous systems are especially affected. Progressive atrophy of muscles. Paralysis, preceded by pain. Convulsions. Also chronic degenerative kidney disorders. Colic, intussusception; stools hard, lumpy, black.
PODOPHYLLUM - gastroenteritis with colicky pain and vomiting. Profuse watery stool with jelly-like mucus, gushing and offensive but painless. Thirst. Distension of abdomen, tenderness over liver area. Rectal prolapse. Particularly suited to gastro-intestinal disorders in puppies, especially during teething. Worse in early morning, hot weather, during teething.
PSORINUM - mainly skin symptoms. Intolerable itching, dirty, smelly skin and coat. Hair dry and scurfy, lustreless. Oily skin, eczema behind ears. Ear canker with foul smelling discharge. Animal seeks warmth. Should not be used in low potency or repeated often. Takes time to work. Worse for changes of weather, in hot sunshine and from cold. Better for warmth.
PULSATILLA - the weathercock among remedies. It is mainly a female remedy, especially for mild, gentle, yielding disposition, but changeable and contradictory. Usually cheerful disposition but often depressed. Symptoms that come and go. Yellow bland discharges from the eyes; lids inflamed and agglutinated. Especially useful for hormonal disorders in the bitch which is shy and gentle. Can be useful for inflammation of testicles or prostate in males of similar type. There is usually very little thirst and the dog prefers to be in the open air, even when it gets chilled. Worse from heat, after eating, towards evening; better open air, motion, and cold applications.
PYROGENIUM - a remedy for septic states with intense restlessness. Especially useful in septicaemia following parturition. All discharges are horribly offensive. Chronic complaints that date back to septic conditions.
RHUS TOXICODENDRON - (commonly known as Rhus tox.) this remedy is made from poison ivy, so it does have a marked effect on the skin. The skin symptoms are red, swollen with intense itching; burning eczema with scales; pustular spots which suppurate. Rhus other main use is for arthritis, rheumatism, or other disorders of the skeletal system which are worse for rest, which shows as being particularly painful or stiff on rising after rest but which improves with moving about. However, such conditions should not be treated with exercise. It can also be useful for respiratory problems which are worse on waking, such as a cough or breathing difficulty which shows up when moving after rest. Conditions requiring Rhus tox. are also worse for cold, wet weather and after rain; after getting wet (or being bathed); and at night. They are better for warm, dry weather, movement, change of position, from stretching out limbs.
RUTA GRAVEOLENS - (commonly known as Ruta grav.) particularly useful for strained tendons, and sprains. Also for "bruised" bones and anything to do with the periosteum. Like Rhus tox. problems are worse when first moving after rest.
SCUTELLARIA - its main use is to calm hysterical states in dogs that are nervous and exciteable. Can work very well in cases of separation anxiety where the dog frantically tears the house or itself to bits, and in other cases where a dog is extremely destructive. Nervous fear; twitching of muscles.
SEPIA - most often used for bitches that become ratty and snappy before or during a season; the bitch that attacks the male attempting to mate her; the bitch suffering a false pregnancy and that is unpredictably aggressive and bad tempered; the bitch that is snappy towards her young, or attacks them. Also used for pyometra and problems following parturition. Is often given immediately following whelping to close down the uterus. Is also a liver remedy.
SILICEA - most often used in chronic suppurative processes; also chronic inflammatory conditions, especially those caused by a foreign body such as a splinter, grass seed, etc. Where abscesses occur, burst, appear to heal, then recur. Corneal ulcers. The ill effects of vaccination. Ripens abscesses, as it promotes suppuration. The Silica patient is cold, hugs the fire, avoids draughts, is anxious and fearful, can sometimes be licking at furniture, carpets, etc. (one of the symptoms of Silica is the feeling of a hair on the tongue). Anal fistula; crippled nails; diseases of bones. Worse morning, lying down, damp and cold; better warmth, summer.
SPONGIA TOSTA - particularly for the dog with a cough from heart disease, with little exercise tolerance, congested lungs, and which prefers to lie on its sternum with its forelegs out to the side and its neck stretched out on the ground.
STAPHISAGRIA - this remedy is particularly for any problem that begins following surgery or tooth extraction. This may be a physical problem, or a behavioural one. For example, bitches often become incontinent following spaying, sometimes immediately or almost immediately, but sometimes not for some years. Staphisagria is the remedy to use. Sometimes a bitch will appear attractive to males following spaying. Use Staphisagria. However, it is not just useful for problems following neutering (in males as well as females) but for any problem occurring after an operation of any kind. This could be physical symptoms such as apparent pain or lameness; or it could be a change in temperament, or in behaviour. It does not matter how long ago the surgery was performed; if there is a problem which could date back to it, give Staphisagria, preferably 30C and twice a day. For resentment and grief, so for any behaviour or condition that could stem from resentment - such as having been kennelled, a new dog being brought in, and so on.
STRAMONIUM - can be a useful remedy for convulsions, especially those which seem to start with fear and come at irregular intervals.
STROPHANTHUS HISPIDUS - useful for heart disease, to help deal with fluid retention and to tone the heart muscle. Diminishes rapidity of heart beat. For mitral regurgitation, with oedema. A safe diuretic, especially for the old dog.
SULPHUR - Sulphur, like Arsenicum, can cover a very wide range of disorders. It is especially useful in skin conditions such as dry eczema, chronic dermatitis, mange, and pruritis (itching), especially where the skin appears dirty and there is a musty smell. There is usually much heat and redness, the hair and skin dry and hard. Irritability and lack of energy; heat especially on top of the head. Skin problems are worse for scratching; the skin is unhealthy, dry and scaly, and every little injury suppurates. Pimply eruptions. Burning in pads of paws. Worse for warmth; the dog seeks a cool place to lie - often along a door to get the draught, or on a tiled floor. Nose scabby and bleeding; chronic catarrh. Difficulty breathing, better with windows open. Rattling of mucus in chest; pneumonia. Chronic diarrhoea, especially where anus is red. Also constipation with frequent unsuccessful attempts to pass a motion. Urinary incontinence, especially with large amounts of colourless urine. Worse resting, warmth, being bathed. Better for dry warm weather, lying on right side, drawing up affected limbs.
SYMPHYTUM - made from comfrey, its common name is knitbone, so it is especially helpful for speeding healing of fractures and deep wounds that go down to the bone. Also for traumatic injuries of the eye.
TELLURIUM - mainly a skin remedy; can have good effects in treating ringworm. Also a good remedy for some ear conditions: inflammation of inner and outer ear, acrid offensive discharge. Eczema behind ear. Back very sensitive. Worse at night, cold weather, touch, at rest.
THUJA OCCIDENTALIS - (commonly known as Thuja) for the ill effects of vaccination; for vaccinosis showing up in chronic skin problems. For warts, especially those which bleed easily. Nails brittle and soft. Flatulence and distention of abdomen with rumbling and colic. May help with anal adenoma. Worse at night, from cold damp air, vaccination. For warts give orally and apply the tincture to the warts themselves.
For homeopathic remedies for the treatment of heart disease,
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Animals....our return to wholenessby Penelope Smith, published by Pegasus Publications
Materia Medica with Repertory by Boericke, published by B. Jain Publishers
Homeopathic Care For Cats and Dogs by Don Hamilton, DVM (I would recommend this one as the best book on veterinary homeopathy to start with as it gives a really good grounding in the basics of homeopathic practice and theory)
The Homoeopathic Treatment of Small Animals by Christopher Day, MA VetMB VetMFHom MRCVS, published by C.W. Daniel Company
People Are Pets by Francis Hunter, MRCVS VetMFHom and Stephen Kayne, Ph.D MRPharmS DAgVetPharm MPS(NZ) LFHom(Pharm), published by British Homoeopathic Association
Before the Vet Calls by Francis Hunter MRCVS VetMFHom, published by Thorsons
Homoeopathic First Aid Treatment for Pets by Francis Hunter MRCVS VetMFHom, published by Thorsons
The Homoeopathic Treatment of Dogs by George MacLeod, MRCVS DVSM, published by the Homoeopathic Development Foundation
Homoeopathic Medicine for Dogs / A Handbook for Vets and Pet Owners by H.G.Wolff, MVSC published by C.W. Daniel Company
Dogs and Homoeopathy, the Owner's Companion by Mark Elliott, BVSc MRCVS and Tony Pinkus, BPharm MRPharmS published by Ainsworths Homoeopathic Pharmacy
Homoeopathy: First Aid for Pets by Christopher Day, MA VetMB MRCVS VetFFHom, published by Chinham Publications
Basic Homeopathy for Beast (and man) by Ilse H. Garriss, MS DIHom, published by author
The Treatment of Dogs by Homoeopathy by K. Sheppard, published by C.W. Daniel Company
A Veterinary Materia Medica and Clinical Repertory by G. MacLeod, MRCVS DVSM, published by C.W. Daniel Company
The Pocket Manual of Homoeopathy - Veterinary Medicine - by Dr. Ruddock, published by B. Jain Publishers
The Veterinary Surgeons' Treasure Chest by M. Raymonde-Hawkins MBE
Homoeopathy For Pets by George MacLeod, MRCVS DVSM, published by Homoeopathic Development Foundation
Site for Penelope Smith's books and tapes | |
The BAHVS page on the history of homeopathy and veterinary homeopathy | |
VCA Animal Hospital's page on Veterinary Homeopathy | |
Shirley's Wellness Cafe page on homeopathy for animals | |
Dr. Gloria Dodd's site on holistic vet pet care | |
The homeopathy for animals website | |
The site of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy | |
A site on homeopathy which provides the main Materia Medica on-line | |
Homeopathy Home Page with list of suppliers of remedies, with links. |
Updated 8/24/2015