Homeopathic and Herbal First Aid Kit for Pets & Stray Dogs
What is Homeopathic First Aid Kit?
Most people have a first aid kit on hand for emergencies, but may not consider that their furry friend needs a first aid kit, too. Although first aid kits are commercially available for dogs, some pet owners may be looking for a more natural solution.
As the name suggests, homeopathic first aid remedies are made from natural, organic substances and compounds, including flowers, herbs, minerals, plants, and even insects. Homeopathic remedies don’t contain any artificial chemicals or residues, which make them safe for your pet. You can find the ingredients for many homeopathic remedies at most health food stores.
Homeopathic First Aid Kit Procedure in Dogs
All homeopathic ingredients and remedies listed below are veterinarian certified. Consult your veterinarian before administering any remedies to confirm the dosage.
- Aconite: Helps relieve shock associated with traumatic injury, as well as ear infection pain and anxiety caused by loud noises.
- Arnica: Relieves swelling, particularly when associated with sprains and other muscle injuries. Can be used in conjunction with aconite.
- Arsenicum: Resolves vomiting and diarrhea associated with food or bacterial poisoning and gastroenteritis.
- Apis: Manages pain and reduces swelling and inflammation associated with insect bites. Can also be used to treat conjunctivitis, pulmonary edema, effusion, joint swelling, and heart and kidney disease.
- Cantharis: Relieves certain urinary conditions, notably bloody urine associated with urinary tract disorder or infection. This should not be administered to animals suffering from undiagnosed obstruction of the urinary tract.
- Hepar-Sulph: Works similarly to an antibiotics. Should be used for animal bites, abscesses, and painful ear infections.
- Hypericum: Relieves pain associated with nerve damage, disc disease, and surgery.
- Ledum: Treats insect, tick, and animal bites as well as puncture wounds.
- Nux-Vomica: Rids the body of toxins such as human drugs, antifreeze, pesticides, rat poison, dark chocolate, and more. This remedy should be administered while en route to a veterinary clinic.
- Sulfur: Treats skin conditions, primarily mange, dry skin, and body odor.
- Thuja: Treats warts, certain types of tumors, and allergic reactions to vaccines.
This is not a comprehensive list of homeopathic remedies. Others include volatile oils found in herbs and essences of certain flowers. These ingredients may be sold as oral medications, topical creams, or liquids.
Efficacy of Homeopathic First Aid Kit in Dogs
Homeopathic remedies are particularly effective for relieving acute symptoms, particularly pain and inflammation associated with minor injury. Some homeopathic remedies can treat mild conditions, like stings and scrapes, on their own. However, homeopathic first aid should not be administered over a long period of time without veterinarian instruction. Remember, homeopathic remedies should be used for emergency treatment only.
Homeopathic First Aid Kit Recovery in Dogs
Homeopathic remedies are particularly effective for relieving acute symptoms, particularly pain and inflammation associated with minor injury. Some homeopathic remedies can treat mild conditions, like stings and scrapes, on their own. However, homeopathic first aid should not be administered over a long period of time without veterinarian instruction. Remember, homeopathic remedies should be used for emergency treatment only.
Some of the most common illnesses you should have quick treatments on hand for are;
- Bruising & Inflammation, Joint Pain Stiffness.
- Bump/stye on the eye
- Constipation, Diarrhoea, Vomiting
- Hotspots
- Flea Treatment, Tick Treatment, Worm Treatment
- Minor Cuts/Wounds
- Mosquito bites/ Bee Strings
- Travel Sickness
Herbal First Aid For Dogs
Here’s a list of all-natural, safe and effective herbs you’ll want to have in your kit.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula heals skin fast! It helps regenerate skin and can even prevent scarring. It also provides:
- Antibacterial support
- Anti-fungal support
- Antiviral support
Which is why it’s great at making sure the wound stays clean and pathogen-free.
You can apply calendula as a salve or tea to:
- Cuts
- Burns
- Bites
- Scrapes
- Abscesses
- Fungal infections
Just be careful if applying it to open wounds that look infected. Calendula is such a good wound healer it can heal infected wounds like abscesses quickly… but that could mean the infection can’t get out.
So make sure the wound isn’t draining before using calendula.
Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe vera is renowned for its ability to soothe irritated skin. Naturally it makes a great dog ointment. It’s an easy-to-grow potted plant that many people keep in their homes for the treatment of burns.
Aloe works great for healing burns and relieving the pain and inflammation. And it also supports soft tissue healing with it’s anti-inflammatory support.
Aloe works best when applied fresh from the plant. This is because bacteria can grow in commercial aloe products or juices. And you ‘ll want to avoid using aloe on deep or infected wounds, or severe burns.
Bonus Natural Remedy: Full Spectrum Hemp CBD
CBD oil from organic hemp has many health benefits, from controlling inflammation to prevention and support for cancer. But what you may not realize is that this healing oil can also be used topically for wounds and burns.
And it’s known to help with anxiety which is a bonus to help calm your dog after an injury. So consider keeping a bottle in your first aid collection or making a DIY salve. If you’re not feeling crafty you can always reach for a ready-made CBD salve for dogs.
DIY Herbal Salve For Dogs
Preparing A Homemade Herbal Salve
Here’s a dog salve recipe that’s very easy to prepare and contains three basic ingredients:
- Herbs (8 to 10 oz)
- Coconut oil (2 to 3 cups)
- Beeswax (1 oz )
You can make your salve with just one herb or several herbs. Try to find organic herbs whenever possible and buy the herbs ground … the finer they’re ground up, the more healing properties you’ll get in the salve. If you’re using whole herbs, then just grind them up into a fine powder in your coffee grinder, Vitamix or Magic Bullet before using for your salve.
Place the coconut oil and powdered herbs in a small crockpot. Set it to low or warm, a dehydrator or double boiler set to very low (shoot for 100 to 140 degrees). Let them warm for a day or two.
The coconut oil will soon take on the color of the herb you’re using, which means that the herbal properties have transferred to the oil. Once your oil has reached this color, place a strainer and a few layers of cheesecloth over a bowl and strain the herbs from the oil.
Take the bowl of strained oil and mix in 1 ounce of beeswax for every 8 ounces of strained oil. Put the beeswax and oil back into your crockpot until the beeswax melts into the oil, then remove it from the heat.
Pour the salve into a wide jar and store it in a warm cupboard, the you have it when you need it!
Preparing A Topical Herbal Tea
To prepare an herbal tea, place 8 tablespoons fresh herb or 4 tablespoons dried herb in a teapot. Add a quart of boiling water.
Allow it to steep for 20 minutes, strain out the herb and allow the water to cool.
Allow the tea to cool, then pour it into a spray bottle. Spritz it on your dog’s affected skin three to five times a day.
Keep the remaining tea in the fridge, where it will keep for a few days.
If you are having trouble finding fresh herbs at your local health store you can always reach out to a canine herbalist. They can even guide you further on the best remedy plan for your dog.
Compiled & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the
Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
