Application of Homeopathy in Veterinary Practices

Team Pashudhan Praharee

July 28, 2022

1588

Application of Homeopathy in Veterinary Practices

Dr Nilufar Haque¹& Dr Sk Asraf Hossain²

¹Assistant Director of Extension, Directorate of Research, Extension & Farm, WBUAFS, Kolkata, West Bengal-700037

²Veterinary Officer, Additional Block Animal Health Centre, Chanchal-II, Malda, West Bengal-732139

*Corresponding author: haquenilufar@gmail.com

Abstract:

Homeopathy has existed for about 200 years. But still today, the place of homeopathy in veterinary medicine remains a source of debate. Basically, homeopathy is a narrative exercise. It is said by various scientists that a far-reaching catalog of explanations has been developed, with anything that might happen following the administration of a homeopathic treatment being covered in terms of the remedy ‘working’. Positive experiences from treatment of personal health problems, desire to reduce the use of antibacterial drugs, personal involvement in herd health management and the desire to find alternatives when conventional veterinary medicine had no good solutions to offer are some of the factors motivating the use of homeopathy medicine in veterinary treatment. There are no obvious indications of negative implications for animal health or welfare of this use. Thus, it has survived through several periods of popularity and decline, but has always had the ability to provoke.

Keywords: homeopathy, veterinary treatment, safe medication, alternative therapy, animal welfare

Introduction

Homeopathy stimulates the natural system of healing of our body. It is a substitute therapy available at affordable prices and becoming increasingly popular in human medicine in developing countries that have negligible adverse effect with the use. Currently, homeopathic treatment approaches gaining considerable interest among physicians and veterinarians. Therapeutic technique of homeopathy considered safe since the formulations are based on plants or minerals (Braghieri et al., 2007). Therefore, the potential of applying homeopathy in veterinary medicine are plenty, opening a perspective for decline of the indiscriminate use of conventional drugs (Verdone, 2000; Veríssimo et al.,2016).

History of Homeopathy

Though the roots of homeopathy go back to Hippocrates, Paracelsus, the Mayans, Chinese, Greeks, Indians (Asian & American), and Egyptians, but it was officially discovered by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in the late 18th century. Hippocrates and other Greek physicians noticed that if a person chronically ill with one ailment became infected with a additional severe ailment that had akin symptoms–the chronic ailment would fade away upon recovery from the acute, stronger ailment. Every one used the philosophy of like cures like. Dr. Hahnemann has written “Essay on a New Principle for Ascertaining the Curative Powers of Drugs, and Some Examination of the Previous Principles” in 1796. His basic textbooks, The Organon of the Medical Art, The Chronic Diseases, and Materia Medica Pura are still the core textbooks used today.

Homeopathy refers to dealing of disease with sometimes excessive dilutions of substances that in undiluted variety might cause symptoms of that same disease. For example, Coffea cruda (a homeopathic preparation made from coffee) is used to treat patients with “insomnia associated with an overly alert mind.” It’s based on the conception that “like cures like.” Another example, the treatment for poison ivy is the remedy Rhus toxicodendron, which is made from poison ivy. The alike therapy also addresses skin irritations, itching and rashes – the symptoms of poison ivy that emerge in other conditions.

Dr. Hahnemann was faced with the trouble of using his “medicines” in such a manner as to not cause further harms. He found that if a person’s symptoms indicated the requirement for a particular stuff, it could be given in very minute doses with superior results. Through experiments, he developed a method of dilutions and agitations called “potentization.” This use of ultrahigh dilutions is what distinguishes homeopathic medicines from herbal tinctures and other natural medicines prepared with whole substances (Hahnemann, 1869). .

An preliminary book on homeopathy, “Beyond Flat Earth Medicine” by Timothy Dooley, MD, a naturopathic doctor, explains: “The basic idea is that the medicine stimulates the usual restorative processes of the patient towards wellbeing. The ailment resolves naturally as the patient recovers. The disease is not being directly treated and so, for a given ailment, there are hundreds of medicines which might be indicated. It depends on the patient. Likewise, for a given medicine, there are hundreds of diseases in which it might be pointed to.”

Dr. John Martin Honigberger was the first person who is acknowledged to have brought homeopathy and the name of Hahnemann to India. Dr. Honigberger arrived at Lahore in 1829 – 30. Then ruler of Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was overwhelmed by him when he treated his favorite horse of its bad leg ulcers.

Mechanism of action of Homeopathic medicine

Homeopathy toils to atabilize the body’s energy, identified by homeopaths as the Vital Force. This is the power that gives the body the energy to cure itself. Any interference in the Vital Force generates imbalance. The symptoms of illness are an indication of what’s happening within the body. Homeopathy doesn’t respond to an ailment and curb symptoms with drugs (as conventional medication does). Homeopathy works with the body to prop up its own healing ability. This system stimulates the body to nurse back to health itself by intensifying the immune system.

Homeopathy is based on the code of similars—that “like cures like,” or substances that would create symptoms in big doses, may excite the body’s innate remedial processes when given in a diluted dosage. Remedies are often derived from a variety of plants, animal materials, and minerals and are developed to fit the requirements of every individual animal. This can be a very efficient form of remedy when administered suitably. Homeopathy acts in diverse ways, according to the key needs of each individual of the herd or the population treated.

The levels of action that have been greatest explained are:

stimulation of the organism’s resistance,
enhanced yield and quality of final products,
drainage (removal of endogenous and exogenous toxins), and
Interference in quorum sensing.

Doses of homeopathy medicine: Potency

Homeopathy embraces the “law of minimum dose” where small amount of substances are successively diluted and potentiated, which in larger doses might generate symptoms comparable to those of the ailment being treated. Dosage of homeopathic medicines are not expressed in quantity as mg and in its place, they are expressed in potency or C. Potency is the optimal power of medicine or therapy which given in smallest amount dose at specified intervals, depending on the character of the ailment and the susceptibility of the subject would heal the illness in least time. Preparation of homeopathic medicines consists of preparation of mother tinctures and potencies, designated by the letter “C” (Centesimal). Potency of homeopathic preparations is specified by the dilution ratio (C for a 1:100 dilution; X for a 1:10 dilution) and number of consecutive dilutions. Thus, a 10 C preparation is a 1:100 dilution done 10 times. Dilutions further than 12C (or 24X) are unlikely to contain a single molecule of the original substance.

First, the material that the homeopathic medicine is derived from is either dissolved into a tincture or ground into a powder from which a tincture is prepared. 1 part of the “mother tincture” is mixed with either 9 parts of a solvent such as water or alcohol for an X potency or 99 parts for a C potency. The newly diluted mixture is shaken strongly; a process that Dr. Hahnemann called “succussion” and said “energizes” the dilution. After being diluted and succussed one time, the tincture is called 1X or 1C, depending on the proportions. The procedure continues in this way, with every step using the product of the preceding one as the basis for the next dilution.

It has been said in the book of Dr. Hahnemann. “If correctly diluted and agitated, the medicines maintain their competence to cause a homeopathic response even in the high potencies (high dilutions). If not appropriately agitated at every step, the remedy loses its homeopathic medicinal properties during the diluting process,”

Potencies up to 30C are generally referred to as low potencies and those of 200C and higher are referred to as high potencies. The lower the potency, the more frequently the medication typically requires to be re-administered. Higher potencies are the “M” potencies: 1M, 10M or 50M. M means 1000C, so a 1M potency has been diluted in a ratio of 1:100, 1000 times. The M potencies are greatly deeper-acting preparations. For acute conditions at home, 30C or 200C are the finest potencies to have on hand. 30C remedies are the easiest to find at most health stores. But 200C can be more rapidly acting if anyone has an urgent first aid situation.

Types of preparation

There are numerous homeopathic preparations, which are generally known by Latin names. They come from a variety of sources, such as flora, minerals, animals, microorganisms, and fungi. Homeopathic preparations are generally conveyed in lactose pills or liquids. Pet homeopathy which is usually used in veterinary practices can be administered in a array of different forms, all with its individual benefits. These include:

Pellets or tablets
Dissolved in water
Liquid
Powder

The homeopathic medicine may be given in either dry or wet form. Many homeopaths advocate wet doses for animals and many animal owners prefer wet doses because they are easier to give to pets. Wet dosage can go through deeper as compared to dry pellets. Also, when recurrent dosing is given in acute circumstances, it is much easier to have wet dosage prepared on the contradict to re-dose.

It is commonly recommended that homeopathic medicine should be given at least an hour before or after animal has been fed. Storage and handling is also very vital—as these preparations can lose their potency when not handled properly.

How often to give the remedy

When one patient is under homeopathy treatment, then instruction given by the doctor must be followed. It is being told that, for acute conditions, the dosage will be more often. For acute dosing, homeopathic vet Dr Dee Blanco recommends 30C or less dosage, every 15 minutes for 4 doses, then once an hour for 2 hours, until response can be seen. With a higher potency like a 200C, dosage can be taken every 30 minutes for 2-3 doses, or until a response seen. In case of chronic condition, homeopath’s instructions must be followed.

Precautions

Finding the correct medication can also be particularly tricky and should be handled by a expert. Homeopathic preparations are given in diluted forms, and confusingly, the more diluted these substances are, the more potent they can be. Homeopathic medications should be given in moderation and under the direction of a holistic veterinarian. It is usually advised that animals should not take any other medicines while taking homeopathic remedies. Homeopathic remedies require to get in touch with the mucous membranes. Pellets should not be touched with hands. The medicine is on the exterior of the pellets and will rub off on fingers.

Homeopathic medicines are amazingly stable if appropriately taken care for. Homeopathy is energetic medication. This means one should not store up the remedies next to electromagnetic appliances like TVs and computers. The homeopathic preparation should not be left in the bright, hot sun for any period of time. They should be kept in sealed containers away from strong aroma (perfumes, potpourri, eucalyptus or camphor-containing products like Vicks, BenGay, Tiger Balm for example). Except in an urgent situation, the medicines should be given at least 20 minutes away from food. So it is better not to try to conceal the medicines in foods.

It is familiar for veterinary homeopaths to state that vaccination is dangerous and that usually used veterinary medications hinder with homeopathic treatment. It is also well acknowledged amongst homeopaths that the action of homeopathic preparation is rigorously decreased by simultaneous administration of NSAIDs or certainly any other anti-inflammatory agents, such as corticosteroids or ciclosporin’.

Controversies on efficacy of homeopathy medicine

Undeniably, not a single study has been able to differentiate homeopathic therapy from control solutions, by any technique of analysis. As a consequence, the majority of scientists believe that any medical effects obtained from homeopathic medication are actually placebo effects. a number of practitioners promote giving homeopathic “vaccines” or nosodes instead of usual vaccines to evade perceived health risks of standard vaccines. However, homeopathic vaccines have constantly unsuccessful to provide trustworthy defense against infectious agents in scientific researches of both people and animals.

However, the successful treatment depends on:

Understanding of disease: The summation of all the symptoms, past and present, symbolizes the causal imbalance that needs to be corrected.
Information of medicines in Materia Medicas.
Capability to match the medication to the individual in the accurate strength (potency), quantity and frequency.
Awareness of the probable results of treatment.
Awareness of hindrance to healing: For every individual, knowledge what practice are detrimental to continued health, diet, immunization, surroundings, other drugs, supplements, etc is necessary for successful treatment through homeopathy medication.

Homeopathy is most often successful or at least worth a try in the following situations:

Behavioral problems with no tissue damage (insomnia, anxiety, thunder phobia, breeding/nursing problems, etc)
Situation with no superior treatment (wounds, viral diseases, emphysema, etc.) where a lot relief and modest damage are achievable if using medications.
Instead of surgery for fibroids, gallstones, skin masses, etc. when urgent act is not necessary.
To avoid drug reliance (for allergies, asthma, colitis, hypertension, hyper-thyroidism, chronic diarrhea and vomiting, ear infections, hip dysplasia, lameness, etc.) when drugs have to be taken long-term.

Homeopathy treatment in veterinary practice

Homeopathy is not just for human being. Homeopathy is safe for animals also. Some people even apply it to treat flora also. A veterinary surgeon skilled in homeopathy will be acquainted with when it is most effectual to apply homeopathic medicine, conventional medication or a combination of both. Homeopathy can be used in the same way well for minor conditions and for more persistent problems when prolonged treatment may be required. Homeopath will pose dozens of questions to get a true picture of animals through its symptoms. The doctor will analyze animal’s entire symptom picture, taking physical, mental and emotional symptoms into account. Based on this analysis, the best remedy will be selected to heal the animal.

Almost any malady that can be treated by regular medicine can be treated by homeopathy, according to the “Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy.” Homeopathy concentrates on care of the whole animal with techniques that are precise, kind and considerate to the body’s requirements. It is based on the use of specifically prepared, refined dilutions of herbs, minerals and other natural stuffs, and can be an immense substitute healing alternative for pets. Just like in humans, homeopathy can be used to treat a broad range of conditions, from allergies to diarrhea. Homeopathic drugs are recently used in treating conditions such as canine atopic dermatitis, canine babesiosis, idiopathic epilepsy in dogs, bovine mastitis, endometritis in dairy cows, diarrhea in neonatal piglets, and bovine papillomatosis in animals. Reported veterinary uses have incorporated helminth parasitism in sheep; atopic dermatitis, babesiosis, idiopathic epilepsy, diarrhea in pigs; fattening of, stillbirths, and postpartum fertility, mastitis, anestrus, and control of ticks in cattle; diarrhea in calves; salmonellosis in broiler chickens and; inappropriate urination in cats and paroxysmal tachycardia in dogs.

More recently, the homeopathy practice has been personalized to help pets. Many people nowadays take their pets to holistic veterinary professional to seek out guidance in treating a variety of sickness and disorders, including chronic conditions like digestive issues, respiratory problems, skin irritations and arthritis. Homeopathic medicine can also be used to treat acute conditions such as diarrhea, bites, and stings. Homeopathy is a helpful substitute or accompaniment to many conventional medicines and is often used as a last resort for treating chronic and recurring conditions. It is being stated that homeopathy can improve the overall well being and health of the animal in spite of the continuing presence of the original, uncured pathology such as renal disease, Cushing’s, cancer, diabetes and more.

Not only in small animals, it has been reported that, the adoption of homeopathic medicines to control diseases in cattle herds cause a reduction of upto 90% in the cost of veterinary drugs, improve the animals’ behavior and increase the quality of milk, but this can only be achieved in combination with other agro-ecological practices. Organic cattle breeding require large modifications in management, normally accompanied by better nutrition. However, it is not easy to take apart the effects of homeopathic medicines from that resultant of modifications in the system, particularly related to the dietary plane. Therefore, perhaps the inclusion of agro-ecological practices would be necessary to obtain a proper evaluation of homeopathic medicines, because, even though homeopathy can be applied in conventional farms, it is essential to implement agro-ecological practices, such a decrease of artificial inputs, augment or preservation of soil fecundity with local resources, and introduction of other livestock species or a variety of crops. These procedures can optimize the recycling of nutrients and improve the activity of the trophic chain by increasing bio-diversity.

Common homeopathy remedies in animals

Table 1. Medicines for Dogs

Disease / Clinical conditions	Medicine indicated
Diarrhoea in racing dogs– Diarrhoea with a state of tie prostration. The stools are putrid and during sleep are accompanied by eructation’s and flatus in sulphurated hydrogen.	Arnica-Montana.
Dogs belated in intelligence – slow in following orders, repeat mistakes like urinating or pooping around huse, crawls under furniture when any stranger comes.	Baryta crab for some time with interruptions.
Ears infection–Swelling, thick, brown deposit or watery and purulent urge	Belladonna 30 twice daily. Apply Hydrastis mother tincture on ears twice daily.
Distemper–A discharge of thick mucus from ill reddish eyes and sore nostrils, loss of appetite, the dog cough a good deal, lies down most of the time, staggers about, drags hind legs, falls down frequently, is costive and is finally paralysed all. Has diarrhoea and convulsions	Belladonna.,Cocculus , Kali-C , and Rhus-tox.
Eczema – in dogs eczema round or even in the ears,	Sulphur in 12th or 30th potency.
Eyes Inflamed, red, sore, watering, aversion to light and purulent discharge	Euphrasia-tincture 10 drops in an ounce boiled water internally and bathe eyes with Ruta M.T. 20 ops in half tumbler of boiled water.
Panting of dogs–When a dog pants on the least exertion	Bryonia three times a day.
Racing dogs – When a dog has exhaustion after a hard days racing.	Arnica every hour internally at least 6 doses externally rub Arnica lotion
Respiration with fever Breathlessness. The normal rectum temperature of dogs is 101.4°F but can be higher after exercise or excitement. Fever 103°F or 105°F with cough, Restlessness, malaise ; no appetite, no normal evacuation.	Aconite 30, Bryonia 30, China 30. Prepare a solution of each separately with 20 drops of each in one ounce of boiled water and give table spoonful of each alternately every 2 hours.
Skin diseases- Hair falls, skin is red and inflamed, eruptions. Scratching, rubbing against tree, wall, table, chair or anything which comes in its way.	Mercurious 200 or Sulf 200 alternately at least 4 doses per day. The potency may be increased to 1 M. if no improvement is noticed. M.T. Hydrastis mixed in a cup of water may be applied locally. Compresses of Calendula M.T. may be employed alternative method.
Sore hoofs of dogs	Graphites internally in water and apply it in Vaseline externally.
Digestive disorders- No appetite, goes near food, smells it but comes back without touching or taking it, constipate, tipoff barks or howls, restless or disturbed.	Arsenicum Alb 30 three times a day.

Table 2. Medicines for Horses

Disease / Clinical conditions	Medicine indicated
Brain affections in Horses- Pupils contracted, teeth clinched, tongue protruding, restlessness, head forced back, stupor frequent changing of position, biting and kicking, furious, rages, desire to escape, with tears.	Belladonna 200 in water two teaspoonfuls every 15 minutes or longer until improvement takes place
Colic – When the animal has over-fed itself and there is flatulent distension of abdomen as if it are to explode, it is also tympanatic, fullness and continuous rumbling, urine suppressed, or scanty.	Colchium 200. At least 3 days at intervals. Magnesium Phos. or Colocynth, whichever is useful for wind colic. Pour a little water in the horse’s ear and the pain will disappear promptly.
Cough in horses – when ascending or after exertion, slightest incline causes cough, foam about mouth, breathing with grumbling sound and violent cough	Nux Vomica 1M, Hepar-sulph. – if the horse coughs after exert as a result of dust in the hay.
Diarrhoea in running horses – During acute exercise	Rheum off
Fatigue in horses—After hard days, work or in hunting. Fractures – Whatever may be character of the injury whether contusion, sprain, strain, dislocation or fracture if it is due to mechanical violence.	Arnica internally and apply mother tincture of Arnica dissolved in water as a lotion.
Lameness of horses	Rhus tox
Sore Hoofs of horses	Graphites internally in water and apply it in Vaseline externally

Table 3. Medicines for farm animals like cows and fowls

Disease / Clinical conditions	Medicine indicated
Cholera of fowls	Dissolve 20 to 30 globules of Ars. In water and give one teaspoonful at interval of 1 to 3 hours according to the severity of symptoms.
Diarrhoea-in fowls	Ars. 30 one dose daily until it stop.
Colic in cows -When the animal has over-fed itself and there is flatulent distension of abdomen as if it are to explode, it is also tympanatic, fullness and continuous rumbling, urine suppressed, or scanty.	Colchium 200. At least 3 days at intervals. Magnesium Phos. Or Colocynth, whichever is useful for wind colic. Pour a little water in the horse’s ear and the pain will disappear promptly.
Cows-tendency for abortion and its prevention	Thyroidinum 30, just after the heat and a dose later
Milk cows—(a) To increase the milk of cows.	Phytolacca 3x alternating with Asafoetida.
b) Some cows draw up milk when they are milked.	Belladonna 4x one hour before milking. Stop it when the animal becomes normal in giving milk.
Udder cracking – Swollen indurated udders, inters painful and sensitive when not a drop of milk	A few doses of Phytolacca

Table 4. Medicines for sheep and goat

Disease / Clinical conditions	Medicine indicated
Bloat	Colchicum 30 – Two drops every 10 to 15 minutes, if no relief is obtained within one hour, Arsenicum 30 alternatively with Colcicum 30 should be given as above.
Diarrhea	Chamopmilla 30 – Two drops every two hours for Diarrhea due to cold, the evacuations are green colored, distended abdomen with colicky signs. Arsenicum 30 – 3 drops every 2 hours for dark putrid blood mixed evacuations, the rapid loss of strength.
ORF/Canker(Black Mouth)	Nitric Acid 30 – Two drops in a teaspoon of water two times a day for a week. Sulphur – 200 drops in a teaspoon of water daily once for a week. Nitric Acid (Strong) – 30 drops in 30 ml water to be applied to the affected part with a small brush once a day.
Mucopurulent Nasal Discharge (Nasal Catarrh)	Aconite 30 – 2 to 3 drops three times a day when there is a fever. Nux vomica 30 – 3 drops two times a day for 1 to 2 days. Arsenicum Alb 30 – 3 drops two times a day when there is profuse Nasal discharge. Mercurial vivid 30 – 3 drops three times a day when there are profuse Nasal discharge and swollen nostrils, frequent attacks of shivering.
Abortion	Arnica 30 – 3 drops every half an hour when the Ewe is injured. Sabina 3o – 3 drops twice a day when the symptoms of abortions commenced or when there is a tendency to abortion amongst the Ewes of a flock Secale cornutum 30 – 3 drops twice a day if the symptoms continue after two to three dos of Sabina and straining becoming more violent. Pulsitella 30 – 4 drops every 4 hours is useful after abortion to expel the placenta.
Corneal Opacity	Calcarea sulph 30 + Hepar sulph 30 – 3 drops three times a day for 3 to 5 days.
Epistaxis	Carboveg 30 – 3 drops every hour usually Epistaxis stops within a day but it is advised to continue 3 drops three times a day for another 3 days.
Difficult in Parturition	Arnica 30 – 3 drops every hour for Dystocia typically caused by a large or awkwardly positioned fetus or by the failure of the Ewe to expel, and in all cases where manual interference necessary and Arnica lotion (20 drops Arnica in 30 ml warm water) externally. If the Ewe begins to strain violently in such cases give secale cornutum 30 – 3 drops every 15 to 30 minutes.
Sheep pox	Variolinum 30 – Two drops two times a day weekly as preventive. Two drops three times a day for a week as curative. Rananculus Bulbosus 30 – Two drop three times a day.
Foot and Mouth	Borax 30 + Rhus Tox 30 + Mercurius Solubilis 30 + Natrium Muriaticum 30 + Kalium Muriaticum 30 mix all these in equal proportions, for curative 3 drops of this combination rid for 5 to 7 days. For preventive 3 drops of this combination weekly once for 3 weeks.
PPR	Ocimum Sanctum Q (Mother Tincture) 5 drops two times a day for 5 days. Arsenicum Alb 30 – 3 drops three times a day for 5 days Mercurius solibulis 30 – 3 drops three times a day for 5 days.
B.T	Acid nitricum 30c, Carbo veg 30c , Rhus tox 30c, Heparsulph 30c, Merc sol 30c. Each 10 ml = total 40 ml. 1 ml of this combination + 20 ml clean unchlorinated water mix well. Feed 2 ml to each sheep once a day for 5 days.
Foot rot	Belladonna 30 + Mercurius solubilis 30 + Arnica 30 + Rhus Tox 30 + Ruta G 30 mix all in equal proportions 3 drops of this combination three times a day for a week.
Snake Bite	Echinacea Q mother tincture – 4 drops in a 5 ml to 10 ml water every half hour Ledum pal 30 – 3 drops three times a day + Lachesis 30 – 3 drops three a day.
Phosphorus (Organo Phosphorus) poisoning	Phosphorus 30 – 3 drops every 15 minutes Carboveg 30 – three drops every 15 minutes till recovery then three times a day for 3 to 5 days
Anthrax	Antracinum 200c
Brucellosis	Brucellaabortus 200c
Enterotoxaemia	Arsalb 30c, Carbo veg 30c, Echinacea 6, Phosphorus 30c, Pyrogenum 200c
Hemorrhagic Septicaemia	Pastuerellamultocida 200c
Mycoplasmosis [CCPP]	Antim tart 30c, Drosera 30c, Adhatoda vasica 30c, lpec 30c, Calc flour 30c
Bottle jaw	Acid aceticum 200c
HCN poisoning	Nux vomica 30c, Phosphorus 30c, Bryonia 30c, Cecutaverosa 30c, Echinacea 6c
Mange	Psorinum 200c, Sulphur 200c, nitricum 30c
Warts	Thuja 30c, Calc carb 30c, Antimony crudum 30c, Causticum 30c, Acid

Advantages of homeopathic treatment over conventional medication:

At the present time, the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals is frequently not accepted among customers (Midan Marketing 2014, Mintel Group 2015, Niamh 2015). Likewise, a lot of farmers and veterinarians perceive homeopathy as a substitute for treating ailments in farm animals and consequently decreasing the consumption of antibiotics (Laxminarayan et al., 2013). The importance of this as a potentially chief public health concern is gradually more documented (Toutain et al., 2016).

The disadvantages of drug-based therapeutics are,

Unsuccessful to attain ‘cure’;
toxicity to the treated animal;
minute amounts of drugs and their metabolites in meat and milk; and
surfacing and spread of antimicrobial and anthelmintic resistance, not only compromising the achievement of animal treatment but involving extend of resistance factors into the atmosphere (Toutain et al., 2016).

In spite of all the benefits of secure anaesthesia, management of pain, effectual prevention and heal of diseases caused by microorganisms, helminthes and ectoparasites and a lot of other benefits, there are considerable downsides to the use of drug-based veterinary products (Mathie et al.,2012). There are side effects for nearly each and every drugs, which may be life threatening. Side effects may be rare but more frequently are dose-related (Jacobs et al., 1998).

Homeopathy is mainly used to treat chronic conditions with changeable signs, or acute, self-limiting conditions (Jacobs et al., 1998, Mathie et al., 2010). In farm animal medicine, homeopathy has found in favor with some organic farmers, who correctly recognize the negative impacts of conventional medications (Hektoen et al., 2004, Hektoen 2005).

Under these circumstances, there are several advantages of homeopathy over conventional medication which include:

Cooperation with the body’s innate resistance system
Efficient for both the prevention and healing of diseases
Healing of a broad range of diseases
Smaller number side effects than conventional medications

Conclusion

Now a day, homeopathy appears to be one of the best alternatives for conventional treatments or therapies which are thought to be effective. They have contributed greatly to animal welfare and the relief of suffering. However, their benefits and their side effects are based on principles are still questionable. Due to questions about efficacy and controversial results of studies more investigations about homeopathy need to be con-ducted to give scientific support to their efficacy. Therefore, homeopathic medications are required to be subjected to rigorous evaluation for quality, safety and efficacy by regulatory authorities.

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