Homeopathy For Dogs

While homeopathic remedies are available in liquids and pills, the most common form you'll find are sucrose pellets in little blue vials marketed by the Boiron company. When you turn the base of the container, hard little beads of the remedy drop into the clear plastic cap, which prevents them from being contaminated by your hands and other surfaces. Crush the beads in a clean envelope or with the back of a spoon, then slide the powder directly onto the dog's tongue or add it to a small amount of spring water or cow's milk and administer with a plastic syringe. It is extremely important to keep handling to a minimum and to always give remedies between meals.

Generally speaking, try only one remedy at a time. If you don't see positive results in a reasonable period of time, discontinue its use and try another remedy. (A reasonable period of time, when you're dealing with a first aid situation, is anywhere from five minutes to 15 minutes to an hour. For a chronic condition, a homeopath might wait a day to a week before assessing a remedy's results.) Once a remedy is showing results, discontinue its use, so that the original dose can continue to do its work unimpeded. Remember, the remedy is just a catalyst for the body to heal itself.

When in doubt, give less rather than more. Giving too high a dose can actually aggravate the condition you are trying to address. If a dose is too low, you can always increase it to a higher dilution.

Although there are about a thousand homeopathic remedies, some are used more often. While a chronic condition requires a consultation with a trained homeopath, there are some common acute conditions for which you can use homeopathy yourself.

As with any other form of holistic healing, do not use homeopathy in place of consulting a veterinarian. And remember that the succinct explanations offered for each remedy belie the excruciating attention to detail that homeopathy requires. To truly find the exact remedy for your dog, her individual personality and state of health need to be scrutinized and then researched in a Materia Medica.

The remedies listed below are basic, everyday remedies that you might call upon for simple acute conditions such as a bout of diarrhea or a wasp sting. Consider them a homeopathic starter kit.

Aconitum Napellus (Aconite, or monkshood)

This remedy is for conditions that come on suddenly and without warning, such as shock and fever. Aconite is also useful for emotional trauma, such as uncontrollable fear or panic. Use this remedy first to try and get the condition under control. You may then have to switch to another remedy.

Apis Mellifica (Honeybee venom)

This is the remedy used most often for allergic reactions, hives and swelling resulting from insect stings. (Except those from bees-in that case, the remedy Ledum is used.) Apis mel can also be used to treat conditions that involve inflammation and fluid retention, such as a hygroma on the joint.

Arnica Montana (Leopard's bane)

One of the most useful remedies for first aid, arnica is used for closed-tissue injuries such as sprains and soreness. It helps promote circulation of blood and lymph in the affected area, moving out liquid and toxins.
Although arnica, which comes from the sunflower family, can be used in herbal form, it can cause internal bleeding if the quantities given are too high. This is why the homeopathic version is so often used; the minute amount of arnica it contains is very safe. Herbally, arnica is available in cream form and can be applied topically to strains and fractures to promote healing.

Belladonna (Deadly nightshade)

Belladonna is the remedy used to combat fevers, ear infections and other conditions that make the body "hot." It's an option for treating heat and sunstroke, as well as mastitis in bitches. Belladonna is also used to help get sudden, aggressive behavior under control.

Bryonia Alba (Wild hop)

Bryonia is indicated for pain that grows worse with movement and ceases when the animal rests. It is also used for kennel cough when the hacking is prompted by movement.

Calendula Officinalis (Marigold)

Available as a cream (for topical application) or as a homeopathic remedy (for use internally), calendula stimulates healing of wounds and cuts.

Carbo Vegetabilis (Vegetable charcoal)

Overweight, sedentary animals who are prone to collapse are candidates for this remedy. It helps with fatigue, can revive an unconscious animal, and is good for treating indigestion characterized by a lot of gas. It is also sometimes suggested for bloat, although veterinary attention is paramount.

Chamomilla (Chamomile)

This soothing remedy helps dissipate pain, especially in the mouth. Try it on teething puppies.

Cocculus (Indian cockle)

A wonderful remedy for the traveling dog who is prone to motion sickness. It also helps exhaustion and sleeplessness.

Colocynthis (Bitter apple)

There's probably no more frightening sudden-onset condition in dogs than bloat, in which the stomach expands and sometimes twists, creating a life-threatening situation. Seeking immediate veterinary assistance is crucial. En route, you can try this remedy.
Another option is Nux moschata.

Drosera (Round-leafed sundew)

This is often the remedy of choice for dealing with kennel cough that is spasmodic and characterized by violent hacking, as if the dog has something caught in her throat.

Euphrasia (Eyebright)

The plant from which this remedy is derived is nicknamed eyebright, referring to its use for centuries as a tonic for the eyes. Euphrasia works on eye irritations with burning, stinging tears. A possibility for conjunctivitis.

Gelsemium (Yellow jasmine)

Gelsemium works on paralysis, especially when it is brought on by fear. It is also useful for performance anxiety where stress slows the canine athlete.

Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum (Burned oyster shells with sulphur)

Hepar sulphur works to dispel early-stage infection, whether it's from a bite wound or an abscess. Consider it for infected anal glands, skin eruptions and pus-filled wounds that are not large enough to require stitches.

Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's wort)

This remedy addresses nerve damage and the shooting, radiating pain associated with it. Try it for painful injuries affecting the tail and paws, especially those caused by crushing and puncture wounds.

Ledum Palustre (Marsh tea, wild rosemary)

Ledum is traditionally used for punctures and bites-wounds that do not bleed. It may also be effective for abscesses and inflamed joints.

Mercurius Solubilis (Mercury, quicksilver)

Merc sol is useful for conditions that are expressed with acrid discharges, such as infected anal glands. It can also help in treating gingivitis and for bouts of liquidy, mucousy diarrhea.

Nux Vomica (Poison nut)

This remedy is often called upon to help treat anxious and nervous patients who get so worked up they give themselves a stomachache. Try it on dogs suffering from indigestion, constipation, flatulence, gastric upsets and vomiting due to nervousness or overeating.

Pulsatilla (Windflower)

This remedy is helpful for dogs who are clingy and sensitive, especially those prone to separation anxiety. It is commonly used with false pregnancy.

Rhus Toxicodendron (Poison ivy)

Rhus tox treats the very same conditions that, in larger doses, it creates: rashes and hives, especially those that are derived from contact with an irritant, such as poison ivy.

Silicea (Silica, pure flint)

Silicea helps regenerate dead tissue and knit bones and tendons. It cleanses the body of congestion, infection and mucous. It can also help heal scar tissue.

Sulphur

Often used for skin problems, sulphur can be considered for mange and allergic reactions that manifest themselves in itchy, angry-looking skin. This remedy is also used to treat coughs, infected ears, flatulence and diarrhea.

Thuja Occidentalis (Arbor vitae)

A remedy with antibacterial properties, thuja is sometimes used to combat the side effects of overvaccination.

Urtica Urens (Stinging nettle)

This remedy is made from the stinging nettle herb, and that is precisely the condition it helps heal. Consider Urtica urens for an acute condition that has a burning appearance and scalding pain, such as burns and hives.

Comments