Veterinary Professionals - Vet Pro

Homeopathy – What’s it all about? Homeopathy is requested more often in practice these days. How much do you know about it and do you have anyone in the practice who can offer this Complementary Medicine? It was first practiced some 200 years ago. The word Homeopathy comes from the Greek words for like (homoios) and suffering (pathos). A German doctor Samuel Hahnemann (1755 – 1843) was the founder of homeopathy – he practiced it in Germany and France despite lots of opposition he had many supporters. Homeopathic drugs come from a plant or mineral source (mother tincture) the drug is produced after a process of dilution in alcohol and succession (shaking) The more diluted the stronger the remedy – which sounds strange but that’s how homeopathy works. The drugs are classified according to their dilutions they are either X (decimal) or C (Centesimal) So a 2C has been diluted 5 times and a 20C is stronger although it has been diluted 50 times. The dose given is the same no matter what breed or weight the animal is. Homeopathic remedies should never be touched by hand as this reduces the effectiveness – you should use spoons to handle the treatment. It should not be given with food preferably. Some animals do feel worse before they show improvement because homeopathy stimulates symptoms rather than suppress them. This seems unusual but certain symptoms i.e. inflammation/pyrexia are seen to be the body’s way of curing itself. Many people swear by homeopathic remedies for certain ailments for us but which ailments can be treated successfully for our pets? Here are just a few remedies which are used successfully: • Hepar Sulph 30C can be used for ear infections. • Euphrasia 15C for eye problems such as conjunctivitis • Pulsatilla 15C for over-sexed males • Urtica-Urens 3C for over-sexed males also insect bites/stings and nettle rash • Arsenicum Alb 30C for dry skin • Rhus Tox 3C for chronic conditions • Arsenicum Alb 30C for acute vomiting • Caulophyllum 30C for pain relief during whelping/kittening • Arnica 15C is commonly used in practice to calm in-patients and assist with healing contusions (bruising) • Nux vomica is used often to cure nausea and prevent vomiting • Rescue Remedy – Bach Flower has a calming influence to ease neurotic behaviour • Sulphar is used to help treat animals emotional problems and also to treat pyrexia and many other conditions. This site has a list of Homeopathic Vets: http://www.bahvs.com/vetmfhom.htm Please share your comments/experiences with us here at Vetpro. What are your views/experiences using homeopathy? Have you tried any remedies yourself? Was it successful? We would love to hear all about it. Please post in the forums right now.


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