HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR VARIOUS HEALTH ISSUES IN DOGS & CATS
Animal homeopathy, a branch of alternative medicine, is growing in size and popularity along with society’s interest in alternative medicine for humans. Homeopathy was first devised in the 1790s by German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Its key concept can be found in its name: homeopathy comes from the Greek word for like or similar, and that’s what homeopaths believe: “like cures like.”
At the foundation of homeopathy is the belief that every being–pets, as well as humans–has a self-healing response, and that health problems develop when something hinders that response or causes imbalance. Homeopathy views symptoms within the larger context of the individual’s overall health, and then tries to stimulate the body’s own healing responses.
Homeopathy is a complete diagnostic and therapeutic method. Homeopathic remedies are made from over 2000 substances derived from plants, minerals and animals. The process of producing the homeopathic remedies is called potentisation and includes serial dilution and succussion. The basic principle of homeopathy is the law of similars, which states that a substance, which produces symptoms in a healthy organism, can cure these symptoms in a sick organism, if it is prepared and administered as a homeopathic remedy.
VARIOUS HEALTH ISSUES OF DOG & THEIR HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
1– GASTROENTERITIS
One of the most common problems with dogs is acute gastroenteritis.
Dogs have a fairly strong digestive system, but due to their scavenger nature, they can frequently suffer from inflammation or infection of their digestive tract.
One of the best remedies to soothe the stomach, if there is pain and acidity,
is:
- Arsenicum Album 3c is used in liquid, one dose every 3 hours if very bad or twice a day as general support for a longer period.
- If the dog has a lot of flatulence, you can give Lycopodium 200twice daily.
- For bouts of vomiting Nux vomica 30every 3 hours if there is a lot of cramping and vomiting.
- Ipecac 30 every 2-3 hours if nausea is more persistent.
Use these remedies according to the severity of the symptoms, it can be used hourly or every 3 hours and then twice daily as the symptoms improve until gone.
2-REFLUX, ACIDITY AND DYSPEPSIA WITH VOMITING
This protocol is very useful for gastritis and acidity
- Arsenicum Album 3ctwice daily, preferably 15 minutes before food
- Lycopodium 200one dose every other day
You should continue with remedies for 8 weeks and then reassess.
3-DIARRHOEA
If your dog has eaten some spoiled food or has a gastric bug and is suffering from diarrhoea
- Arsenicum Album 30cevery 3 hours can help to form the stool, clear diarrhoea and the infection or inflammation of the bowels.
If the diarrhoea comes with mucus and undigested food
- Ipecac30+ Mercurius Sol 6c every 3 hours can be more helpful.
LIVER SUPPORT
1- ELEVATED LIVER MARKERS
There are many reasons why your dog may be showing elevated liver markers, from an acute infection to a chronic health issue. Homeopathic remedies are excellent for helping support the liver of your dog. This remedy will aid liver support and help get those levels back down.
- Chelidonium 6xtwice daily- or one dose every 3 hours if there is jaundice.
This remedy can also help to stimulate bile and helps bowel movement and is also a great remedy for stimulating appetite.
2- LIVER TONING AND SUPPORT
Carduus Marianus mother tincture ( Milk Thistle) is also a fantastic tool for supporting the liver as it aids detoxification, helps to maintain healthy function and helps to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract.
It is useful for those with a compromised liver, such as those suffering from chronic or acute hepatitis.
The homeopathic dose of MT is 5 drops 2-3 times per day.
3-CANINE HEPATITIS
This is a complex disease involving liver infection and other organs and tissues. Most adult healthy dogs will manage the infection with mild symptoms. However, in some cases, complications can arise.
These homeopathic remedies can help dogs with the viral load, pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, mucus congestion, cough and liver support. They can be taken alongside any medication if needed.
- Chelidonium 6x in alternation withCardus Marianus Mother tincture every 3 hours
- Thuja 30twice daily
- Ceanotus Mother tincture 5 drops twice daily if the spleen is affected
- Nux vomica 30every 3 hours if there is vomiting
- Hamamelis 200+ Arnica 3c every 3 hours or 3 times per day -according to the intensity of the symptoms- if blood clotting is involved
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR ANXIETY IN DOGS
No matter how calm and easy-going your dog is, at some point, he will encounter some kind of stress in his life.
Anxiety can greatly impact a dog’s health, and sometimes, this needs to be treated first or alongside any physical symptoms.
1- GRIEF AND LOW MOOD
Grief and sadness is a very common emotion that your dog will experience at some point, and here are the most useful homeopathic remedies to keep at home if you own dogs.
Below are all situations that can produce sadness in dogs, and these are the best homeopathic remedies to meet that, depending on the triggers.
If your dog has changed behaviour after:
- you have gone on holiday without him
- another pet in the house has died
- one of the owners is severally ill, and has left or passed away
- you have introduced another pet or a newborn child into the household
- if he is often left alone for long periods
- Ignatia 200 twice dailyuntil better is the best remedy to meet that. Ignatia is the best homeopathic everyday grief remedy.
If the low mood is caused after having a litter and the mum feels overwhelmed and distant from the puppies,
- Sepia 200 twice daily for a couple of weeks will be helpful to bring back some balance to her hormones and improve her mood.
When bringing a new puppy home, separation anxiety or sadness tends to respond well to Pulsatilla.
- Pulsatilla 200c twice weekly for a couple of months or 30c 3 times per day for a week to settle the puppy.
2- FEAR
This emotion can stem from situations such as
- fireworks
- a fight with another dog
- a visit to the vet or groomer
- a stressful event
- an unfamiliar sound
- overwhelming of the senses in a new environment
If your dog has been in one of these situations and has become quite fearful in the next few days, you can give him:
- Aconite 200c or 1Mdepending on what you have available.
You can dose the remedy 3-4 times a day and twice daily if you are using the 1M. Use for 2-3 days only and assess. Repeat if needed.
If your dog is expecting an anxious event, like a visit to the vet, for instance, entering the shop and realising what is going to happen
- Argentum Nitriticum 200c twice per day can be helpful.
You can dose in the morning of the day and 1/2 hour before the appointment.
If your dog has been in a fight and, after using Aconite, still feeling anxious and displays fear aggression
- Stramonium 200 twice daily for a couple of weeks should help reduce the intensity while you retrain with this issue.
For another alternative, or if you are unsure which remedy to choose, you can use this Narayani Combination.
- Shock Mix 263 times per day and then once daily when improvement sets in until not needed.
This remedy is for any condition resulting from fear or shock. It has all of the remedies frequently indicated in this situation, and they work beautifully in harmony.
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES AFTER SURGERY FOR DOGS
In the unfortunate event that your dog needs surgery, homeopathic remedies can greatly help recovery. Not only this, but they can help with pain and discomfort and can be used along with any other conventional medications. After any other operation, if there is not much bleeding, a few doses or
Arnica 30 or 200 will help with the trauma and pain and helps to avoid infection.
Arnica can be prescribed alongside any other remedy needed and is one of the best remedies to start with.
1-PAIN REMEDIES
- Hypericum 200cis one of the most important remedies for nerve injury and is most likely needed with incisive wounds that reach nerves. An important remedy to consider in limb amputations and spinal operations as well. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PAIN REMEDY AFTER SURGERY.
- Magnesium Phosphoricum 200cis a great antispasmodic remedy, for neuralgic pains and colic; therefore, a good remedy after abdominal surgery.
- Colocynthis 200c+ Nux vomica 30: is very helpful for any abdominal pain after an operation on the digestive system and is colicky in nature. Colocynthis follows Staphysagria very nicely in abdominal operations.
- Staphysagria 200c: specially indicated in abdominal operations. This remedy, given twice daily for a week or two, helps with the incision’s pain and helps avoid adhesions.
- Bellis Perennis 200 acts within deeper tissue, better than Arnica after major abdominal surgical work, and can be helpful if Arnica has not been very effective or if there is still a lump in the incision area.
- Ruta 200c is very helpful for any operation involving cartilage or periosteum, and this remedy is likely to be needed at some stage. This is a great remedy to consider for operations of the extremities and in any orthopaedic surgery or even tooth extractions.
- Symphytum 200c+Hypericum 200twice daily is indicated for wounds penetrating the bone, so it is also a good pain remedy for any orthopaedic surgery.
2-HEALING REMEDIES
For inflammation, use
- Belladonna 30cuse every 2-3 hours until much better and decreases the frequency as it improves.
if the wound is red and angry, it will help with swelling and inflammation.
For discomfort after the anaesthesia, especially with nausea or if your dog refuses to eat, two remedies are important to keep in mind:
- Phosphorus 30and
- Nux vomica 30
Try each remedy individually 3 times a day for 3 days.
Wound healing is greatly helped by this Banerji Protocol combination of
- Arsenicum200+Hypericum200 targets pain and avoids infection.
I prescribe it every 3 hours until the wound is dry, then reduce it to twice daily until completely healed.
HOMEOPATHY FOR DOG EAR INFECTIONS
External ear infections are one of the most common problems in dogs and are of the most common visits to the vet, you can help your dog with these homeopathic remedies and most probably avoid antibiotics.
Trying to find a homeopathic remedy individually that suits your dog for pain can be difficult for obvious reasons.
But there is no reason why you cannot use this combination that covers pain and inflammation from all angles,
- Aconite200+Belladona200+Chamomilla200.
Use every hour for intense pain and discomfort for the first 3 doses and then decrease frequency to every 3 hours and continue until not needed.
This combination is especially good for the first stages of inflammation.
If you feel that the problem is more in the inner ear, I suggest you also use
- Hepar Sulph 200 in alternation with Belladonna 30 every 3 hours.
This Banerji Protocol is most helpful in combating inflammation, pain and infection.
If your dog is fighting an infection with ear discharge, I would advise adding the following combination mix, and once the pain is gone, discontinue the first combination and continue with Hepar Sulph 200 and Belladonna 30.
AURAL HEMATOMA
Sometimes, your dog will scratch so hard that it can create an Aural haematoma. If this is the case, use
- Hamamelis200+ Arnica 3c twice daily until gone.
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR KENNEL COUGH
This is one of the most common upper respiratory infections in dogs. Even vaccinated dogs can get it and here are a few homeopathic remedies to help you and your dog sail through it!
- Ipecac 30 every 3 hours for the acute cough decreasing to 3 times per day when you reach 50% improvement of the cough. This is great for breaking the phlegm and helps to reduce the cough. If the cough persists, add Cuprum Met 6cwith the Ipecac 30. It will help to reduce the spasm of the cough.
- Kennel Cough Nosode 30c twice daily, along with any other remedy you are prescribing
If the phlegm has gone down, there is a lot of congestion of mucus on the chest, and breathing is laborious, change to these remedies:
- Ipecac 303 times per day
- Chelidonium 6x in alternation with Hepar 6c every 3 hours
- Kali Iod 6cin liquid SOS- as often as needed or every 10-15 minutes to help with airways and oxygenation
- Continue with the Kennel Cough Nosode 30along with these remedies
HOMEOPATHY FOR A DOG’S ITCHY SKIN
Allergies are the most common reason for itchy skin in dogs. However, there can be hundreds of other reasons why your dog has itchy skin.
Homeopathy can be very helpful for dogs’ allergies.
For any form of atopic dermatitis, these two remedies can be very helpful in clearing the problem.
- Hepar Sulph 200 every other day and Arsenicum album 6c twice daily am/pm.
Assess for 2 months and continue if the condition has improved.
This is another option if the first one fails.
- Antimonium crudum 6c twice dailyfor two months
This is especially helpful if there is a discharge, but it can be helpful even when there is no discharge.
This remedy is also very helpful for allergic itching.
For insect bites such as bee stings that are swollen, itchy and painful:
- Apis 200 one dose every 15 minutes for an hour and then when required, can work wonders.
You can watch the swelling decrease, and your dog will seem more comfortable.
Ringworm tends to respond well to these Banerji Protocol remedies:
- Graphities 200 one dose every 3rd day and Kali Sulph 6x twicedaily for a couple of months or longer.
ANAL GLAND INFECTIONS
For some reason, it seems that anal glands are becoming more of a problem with our dogs. I suspect the type of food that we give them has a direct impact on their digestive tract and in terms of the consistency of the stool they produce.
If your dog has developed anal gland inflammation,
- Hepar 6c and Belladona 30c in alternation every 2-3 hours can be one of the best first remedies to consider.
If the gland has burst and is suppurating, you will need to add
- Hypericum 200+ Arsenicum 200 for pain and infection 3 times per day.
These remedies are most useful to dry the infection and subside the inflammation and pain.
SOME ACUTE REMEDIES TO HAVE ON YOUR EVERYDAY KIT
These homeopathic remedies are a great asset in your dogs’ first aid kit.
HYPERICUM200+ARSEN200– this is an excellent remedy for healing skin injuries and wounds. It acts as an antiseptic, pain relief and wound healing.
Use for hot spots, cuts, wounds, after any surgery to heal the skin, for any soft tissue infection ( use Hepar 6c every 3 hours if there is a bit of bacterial infection or you see pus-forming). You can add Bell 200 every 3 hours if redness and heat to the wound indicate inflammation).
LEDUM 200– use for any puncture wounds- after injections, biopsies, or anything involving needles. Also, for stepping into nails or stings from insects. Use three times per day for procedures but more often if this is acute and strong, like an insect sting.
APIS 200– this is an excellent remedy for bee stings or any other sting that produces oedema around (it will look like a bee sting). The feeling is burning and stinging, so it must be painful to them, and you may start seeing swelling.
This is a great remedy for any allergic reaction that produces swelling, making it a good remedy for anaphylaxis-type reactions. Urticaria with swelling and burning that feels better by cold applications. Dose one pill every 15 minutes to start with and then as needed.
This is also a very good remedy for hives.
URTICA URENS 30, 200– used for urticaria (looking as if fallen into the nettles) and for very itchy stings. This can also be urticaria from eating a particular food.
Use for PRICKLY HEAT AND HIVES. Use often as this is a low potency, can be used every hour or less if very intense to start with, and then as it improves, spread the dosing until gone.
I hope this gives you a taste of what you can do by having a bit of knowledge about homeopathic remedies and the confidence to use different methodologies in homeopathy.
If you want to treat your dog naturally, try these remedies and combinations to help your dog improve his health naturally. You will not look back!
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.
Disclaimer: This content, is intended to provide only general information to the readers. It is not a replacement for a qualified medical opinion. For more details, always consult a specialist or your doctor.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
