Veterinary Homeopathy - Remedy of the Week

Argentum Nitricum

In its crude form it is silver nitrate. In conventional medicine it has long been used in styptic pencils to control bleeding from small wounds. But once it has been made into a homeopathic medicine, Argentum nitricum has a different sphere of uses and acts on the nervous system. In homeopathy it is nicknamed the "OMG, what if..." remedy: because the person or animal who needs it experiences feelings of anxiety before an event takes place. The anxiousness can be to such a degree that they fear the worst will happen.

Veterinary Uses:

Anticipatory Fears

Consider this remedy for anxious, nervous, highly strung animals before they have to enter a show ring or 'perform' in events - for example, obedience trials, dog shows, horse shows, training, etc.

These animals/people are insecure, hyper and in a state of worry, which easily can lead to panic, nervous stomach, dizziness, diarrhea, trembling, palpitations, faintness, weakness, fear of failure and poor performance.

Human Uses:

This remedy is greatly indicated for fear and anxiety from excitement. It is used for fears and phobias such as, fear of flying, stage fright, anxiety over an upcoming job interview, examination funk, fear of public speaking, fear of crowds, fear of poor performance and insecurities about meeting new people. If your new to internet dating -- you'll definitely want to have this one hand!

People who need this remedy are often enthusiastic and suggestible, with a tendency toward peculiar thoughts and impulses. They often crave sweets and salt (which usually make their symptoms worse). They usually feel better in cool open air.

We invite you to visit our website for more detailed information on Pet Remedy Charts.

Recommended Reading: For professionals or serious students - This is the gold standard in books for Veterinary Homeopathy. 'Fast Forward to the Cure Pro-Version, 2.0', is a digital publication in PDF format that you can download and start using now. Learn advanced veterinary homeopathy, LM dosing techniques and the methods of 'Dynamic Dosing' for animals which can speed a pets healing time by 1/4 to 1/2 or more! Veterinary Medica, Therapeutic Repertories, printable Case Taking Forms, Observation Sheets for dogs, cats horses and birds are included in 13 Chapters and 1,000 plus pages. To see complete details and excerpts from the book CLICK HERE.

Juicing Recipes for Birds

Click here > Holistic Healthcare for Birds a complete wellness and healing guide to using herbs, homeopathy, and flower remedies for birds.

How to Supplement Your Bird's Diet Naturally

The most powerful way to provide immune boosting nutrients to your bird's diet is by juicing fresh fruits and vegetables. Juicing will help to heal many bird diseases plus strengthen the immune system. Juicing provides a concentrated store-house of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients (complex healing compounds), bioflavonoids (protects the capillaries, keeps them strong), antioxidants (slows or prevents damage to cells) and other complex nutrients that are extremely valuable to your bird's health. Juicing concentrates all these wonderful benefits into a readily digestible liquid.

You can offer juice to a bird in many ways. You can soak dry foods in the juice. Try bird bread, monkey biscuits, dry cereals such as mini shredded wheat squares.

For breeders and baby bird feeders: feed the juice to the parents as part of their diet, don't feed directly to baby birds.

Ideally, fresh juice should be eaten right after juicing, but leftovers can be stored for a short period in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid in the refrigerator. Individual portions can also be frozen in ice cube trays for later use. Some of the nutrients may be lost in freezing, but it still will provide a healthy addition to the diet.

As you experiment with juicing, you will discover the combinations of fruits and vegetables that are most favored by your bird. A good combo to introduce juicing to your bird would be four carrots, one 1/2 apple (seeds removed), and a quarter-inch slice of raw ginger.

Only your imagination will limit you to what you can run through the juicer. But here are a few ideas to help you get a shopping list started. Carrots, apples, dark leafy greens, beets, garlic, dark skinned grapes, parsley, celery stalk, oranges, thyme, dandelion, broccoli, pear, cucumber, shiitake mushroom (soaked), apricot

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported "Carrot juice pulls heavy metals from tissues, binds them and helps eliminate them from the body's system." Parrots are subject to heavy metal toxicity from a variety of sources, from metal cookware, drinking water, air pollution, and pesticides used in farming food crops, so adding carrot juice to their diet as a detox agent could be very important to their health.

We recommend that you take the pulp from the juicer and feed that to your birds as well, adding it to the "soft foods" you feed in the evening meal. just mix it together in the same bowl. You can even offer it to wild birds outside.

Below are juice recipes for birds that are beneficial to specific conditions that affect our avian companions. Note: Always use spinach, dandelion, garlic and parsley sparingly because they are very concentrated and need only be used in small amounts.

Juicing Recipes for Birds

Arthritis

Broccoli and kale, sources of pantothenic acid

Kale, parsley and spinach, sources of vitamin C

Spinach and carrot, sources of vitamin E

Carrot, ginger root, apple, sources of copper

Cherry and blueberry, sources of bioflavonoids

Pineapple, source of bromelain (anti-inflammatory)

Calcium Deficiency

Kale, mustard greens, carrots, kohlrabi, watercress, cabbage, turnip and beet tops, good sources of organic calcium.

Candida

Kale, spinach and turnip greens, sources of vitamin B-6

Red Swiss chard, turnip, garlic, and radish, sources of selenium

Parsley, beet greens, dandelion greens, and broccoli, good sources of organic iron

Cancer Prevention

Beet juice, contains the sulphur amino acids

Cataracts

Carrot, kale, parsley and spinach, high in beta-carotene

Garlic, a source of sulfur and vitamin B1

Spinach, currant, asparagus, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, contains vitamin B2

Kale, parsley, green pepper and broccoli, high in vitamin C

Spinach asparagus and carrot, good sources of natural vitamin E

Red Swiss chard, turnip, garlic, and orange, sources of selenium

Carrot, garlic, and ginger root, sources of copper

Spinach, turnip greens, beet greens, and carrot, sources of manganese

Ginger root, parsley, garlic and carrot, sources of zinc

Healthy Feathers, Skin and Nails

Parsnips - To improve the taste, mix it with apple and carrot juice, source of silica

Fungal Infections

Garlic - contains potassium and sulfur, kills fungus and bacteria. Very concentrated, only use a small amount and dilute with other juices (apples and carrots will help mask the flavor.)

Gout

Kale, beet greens, and broccoli, sources of folic acid

Kale, parsley, sweet pepper, and strawberry, sources of vitamin C

Pineapple, source of bromelain (anti-inflammatory)

Green vegetables, sources of omega-3 fatty acids

Cherry and strawberry, help to neutralize uric acid (remove pits)

Infections

Blueberry and black currant, antibacterial properties

Grape, apple, and cabbage, antiviral and antibacterial compounds

Garlic, a natural antibiotic

Pineapple, the fresh juice contains bromelain an anti-inflammatory

Celery, carrot, and Swiss chard are high in potassium and sodium

Ginger, parsley, and carrot are sources of zinc

Kale, red pepper, and collard greens contain vitamin C

Tomato, cabbage, and sweet pepper contain bioflavonoids

Carrot, kale, and spinach are sources of beta-carotene

Liver Rejuvenator

1 carrot, calcium, high in beta-carotene

1/3 of a beet, blood purifying properties

2 sprigs of dandelion, diuretic, a bitter, good source of minerals

2 sprigs of parsley, diuretic, source of zinc

1/4 of a celery stalk, high potassium and sodium

Intestinal Support

1/2 apple (with skin) Pectin, helps firm loose droppings

2 Tablespoons of yogurt (with live cultures) supports friendly intestinal flora

1 teaspoon aloe vera juice, cleansing and healing to the intestinal system

2 leaves of spinach

1 Tablespoon of cooked rice (mixed with 1 tablespoon of water. Let soak overnight in the refrigerator before using.)

1 teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar

Click here > Holistic Healthcare for Birds for a complete wellness and healing guide to using herbs, homeopathy, and flower remedies for birds.

Non-Toxic Homemade Fly and Mosquito Spray

Mosquito is spanish for "little fly" both of which are nasty little buggers in any language. Despite their fragile appearance, mosquitoes are aggravating pests of humans and other animals. Bites from mosquitoes can cause severe discomfort. The resulting intense itching is due to an immune response to mosquito saliva injected into the bite wound. In addition to the itchy reaction of the bite they are down right annoying.

The real danger, however, is that mosquitoes may carry disease organisms. Mosquitoes can transmit disease-causing viruses and protozoans. The most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the United States are caused by viral pathogens and include West Nile fever, eastern equine encephalomyelitis, St. Louis encephalitis, western equine encephalomyelitis, La Crosse encephalitis and canine heartworm.

• only the female bites to obtain a blood meal. The male feeds on plant juices

• only the female makes a buzzing sound the male is silent

• all mosquitoes must have water in which to complete their breeding and life cycle

Contrary to popular belief, bug zappers do little in controlling adult mosquitoes. Studies have shown that far more beneficial insects are killed by bug zappers than are pest species. There is evidence from backyard studies that electric bug zappers increased the number of female mosquitoes present in the yards as opposed to yards without the devices, and were not at all effective in lowering the number of female (females are the ones that do the biting) mosquitoes landing on people. Similar results were found with electronic mosquito repellers. Persons using the devices recovered more female mosquitoes landing on them when compared to those not using them. The repellers did not afford any protection against bites.

Recipe for Homemade Fly and Mosquito Spray

In a standard 1 quart or 1 liter spray bottle, mix the following ingredients:

2 cups or 400-ml Avon Skin-So-Soft

2 cups or 400ml of purified water

1/2 cup or 150-ml raw apple cider vinegar

Shake well before each use. Use as needed.

Most horses and dogs tolerate the ingredients in this formula very well, and it can be used by riders and owners as well to ward off flies and mosquitos.

Dietary Supplement

Another safe and natural alternative to toxic commercial insecticides is a dietary one. Some horses and dogs attract fewer flies and mosquitos when they are fed cider vinegar because the vinegar makes their skin less desirable to insects. Feeding cider vinegar not only changes the pH of the top layer of the skin, it also changes the pH on a deeper level. While effective, this method is slow and should be started a couple of months before fly season to take effect.

Not all horses or dogs like cider vinegar added to their feed at first, but if introduced in very small amounts they often learn to accept it. On average a 1,000 pound (about 450 kgs) horse will need about one cup of 'raw apple cider vinegar' daily to help to repel flies. Dogs would require 1 or two teaspoons added to their water bowl. Note: Do Not Give vinegar straight or undiluted!

To learn about all the natural treatments and healing strategies for pets, be sure to visit Pet Remedy Charts, the ultimate guide to using herbs, homeopathy, flower remedies and acupressure for dogs, cats, horses and birds. Developed to enable anyone to confidently treat their companion animal naturally at home.

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Is There a Natural way to Prevent Heartworms?

This is a serious disease that primarily affects dogs. It is rare in cats, despite claims by the preventive pharmaceutical manufacturers. It can be treated with homeopathy and herbs, but this should be under the care of an experienced veterinarian.

That being said, pharmaceutical heartworm preventives are generally very effective at protecting dogs against the disease. However, I would not recommend their use in cats, as the incidence does not warrant the drug use in most holistic veterinary opinions. In dogs, the "monthly" preventives are effective if given at six-week intervals, and possibly even at seven-or eight-week intervals. These drugs kill any larvae that have been injected within the previous six to eight weeks, so the drugs protect for the prior period, not the future period. Thus, it is correct to wait until about six weeks after the first mosquitoes appear and continue until you see no more mosquitoes, giving one dose after the end of mosquito season. The "daily" preventives are almost a thing of the past, but these are usually effective if given every other day.

Although the prescription preventive drugs are considered to be generally safe, they can initiate an autoimmune disease in susceptible animals. This includes thyroid diseases.

Natural Remedies to Prevent Heartworm

There is a homeopathic nosode that is made from heartworm larvae that is employed commonly by holistic veterinarians as a preventive to avoid the drug side effects. However, many question its effectiveness, though I have several clients who use the nosode (apparently successfully) with animals in heartworm endemic areas. Though most dogs given the nosode have no trouble with heartworms, I am aware of some cases where the nosode did not protect. I believe it does offer some protection, though it may be incomplete. It is likely that we simply just don't know yet how to give the nosode. As of this writing, I suggest using a 30C potency and dosing at two-week intervals. I have seen no problems with this schedule, and though I use it myself with success, I cannot say for sure that it is fool-proof protection for your dog. If you decide to try the nosode, you must understand that its effectiveness is currently unknown and it is not FDA or Veterinary approved.

I generally do not recommend vaccines and drugs for most animals, and when possible I try to avoid the conventional approach of using heartworm drugs because they are especially risky for animals with thyroid disease. Monthly heartworm preventives as well as "sulfa" drugs are known to occasionally trigger autoimmune thyroid disease.

Pet Remedy Charts

How to Make Slippery Elm Syrup for Pets

Herbs to the Rescue for Digestive Problems

Slippery Elm bark will sooth the stomach and intestines. It is a nutritive herb with emollient and slightly astringent qualities. It possesses abundant mucilage which will soothe irritation, disperse inflammation, draw out impurities, heal rapidly, and greatly strengthen. The powder can be made into a gruel that makes a nutritious food for convalescents; it is easy to assimilate. Its action is so gentle that it can be retained by delicate stomachs when other substances are rejected.

Slippery elm is a safe herb. It is very soothing to the mucus membranes of the mouth as well as the entire gastrointestinal system. This life sustaining food herb can be used for IBD, colic, vomiting, ulcers and diarrhea. It is contains vitamins and minerals and has a pleasant mild taste. It is also readily accepted by most animals young and old, even by the most picky cats and ferrets.

Recipe

Put 1/2 cup of cool purified water into a glass or stainless steel saucepan. Add one slightly rounded teaspoon of slippery elm powder (or you can open and empty the contents of 5 capsules into the pan). Whisk with a fork until the powder blends with the water. Note: Always blend it in the cold water first. If you add the powder to warm or hot water it will be lumpy.

Bring the ingredients to a simmer over a low flame, stir constantly. Simmer about two minutes or until it slightly thickens to a syrupy consistency.

Cool the mixture then refrigerate in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. With proper storage the syrup will remain fresh for 7 or 8 days.

Even if you just add the dry powder mixed to an animals soft food it can help soothe the digestive system.

Suggested Herbal Doses for Pets

Dogs: Depending on the size of the dog give 1 to 3 teaspoon(s) slippery elm syrup before each meal (2 to 3 times daily).

Cats/ferrets: 1 teaspoon slippery elm syrup given before each meal.

Birds: The suggested dose for birds would be to 'lightly salt' the powdered herb over their food.

Horses: The suggested dose is 2 to 4 tablespoons of the powder, three times daily for 5 days. The powder is mixed with 3/4 cup of yogurt and/or 2 tablespoons of honey. Note: It can also be made into a tea by mixing the herb with 1 liter of water and bringing it to a boil. Allow to cool and mix the tea with the grain twice a day.

Resources

Herbs to the Rescue Charts for dogs, cat, horses and birds are tools developed by Lorelei Whitney, M.H., C.Hom. that will help you easily learn to use herbs for pets. Developed to enable anyone to confidently treat their companion animal at home. To learn more about natural healing strategies for pets click here.

Acupressure for Dogs, Cats and Horses

A Guide to Animal Acupressure

Acupressure is an non-invasive ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. Unlike veterinary acupuncture done with needles, acupressure treatments, can easily be done by the pet owner at home.

Disease in the body is a state of either excess or deficiency of one or more of the vital substances. The longer that the excess or deficiency, is present the more out-of-balance the animal becomes. A greater imbalance produces more advanced symptoms. The goal of acupressure is to reverse the pathological state and restore the normal flow of QI (energy within the animal). Treatment may involve several stages in which blockages are gradually removed and normal Qi flow is restored.

Indications of Use

Clinical trials and research indicate that acupuncture/acupressure therapy can be effective in treating numerous conditions. Acupressure provides pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, and hormone regulation. These effects are helpful in treating a variety of conditions. Muscle soreness, back pain, disc disease, osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint disease comprise the largest group of problems that can be treated with acupressure. Neurological disorders (e.g. seizures, radial nerve paralysis, and laryngeal paralysis) and gastrointestinal disorders may also be helped. Acupressure is very successful as an complimentary treatment in Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, infertility, asthma, cough, behavioral problems, geriatric weakness, irritable bowel syndrome and skin diseases. It can also be used in emergency first aid to resuscitate an animal who has collapsed.

In many cases, acupressure and Chinese or Western herbs are successfully used in medical conditions that have not responded to traditional western veterinary medical practices. However, acupressure is not an alternative to proper medical care. If your pet is suffering from an illness or injury, obtain veterinary care as soon as possible.

Acupressure should not be done on an area where the animal exhibits extreme sensitivity. If you inadvertently touch an area that is painful, release the pressure immediately. If you pet shies away from being touched in a certain spot, an injury, a localized infection, or a behavioral problem could cause this sensitivity. The sensitive area may relate to a meridian line and sometimes to a specific organ associated with that meridian. If you are able to pinpoint a specific area that is extremely uncomfortable when touched, consult a veterinary acupuncturist to have it checked.

Some health problems can be aggravated by acupressure if you are working around an injured area. Do not apply acupressure directly to wounds, bruises, cuts or surgical incisions, you could damage tissue and increase pain. However, it can be helpful to press points that are near an injury in order to increase circulation in the area. Use only the points that are not painful. If your pet indicates he is in pain when you touch a point, you are too close to the injury.

Preparing to Give an Acupressure Treatment

Before starting an acupressure treatment, wash and dry your hands thoroughly. If your hands are cold, run them under warm water. Both you and the animal to be treated should be calm and relaxed. Acupressure should not be preformed on an animal that has been traumatized, just exercised or has just eaten.

Locating Acupressure Points

Unlike acupuncture, acupressure doesn't have to be totally "on target" to be effective. If you are near the acupoint, you will be doing lots of good whether you've hit the precise point or not. By pressing in the vicinity of the point, you will still increasing energy flow in the associated meridian line. Correctly applied pressure should be placed in the valleys of muscle. You should never press into a major nerve, on bone, the spinal cord, or a body cavity.

Pressing the Points

Acupressure is done by exerting pressure with one finger on precise places on the body. Most often, you will use either the middle finger or the thumb. Sometimes, you will find it easier to use one or the other, depending on the exact spot you are treating.

To determine the amount of pressure to use, experiment on your own body, pressing your thumb or middle finger against various places on your face, chest, arm and on your other hand, for 10 to 15 seconds. The pressure should be firm enough so that you experience it as hard and steady, but it should not be painful or damaging to the skin. Always go into a point slowly, beginning with light pressure and increasing it to tolerance. Some animals are more sensitive and will need less pressure. Others will need more pressure for the treatment to be effective. Let the animal be your guide. The technique involves applying light to firm pressure, or circular massage over an acupoint. When holding the point maintain steady, firm pressure, this will help you to avoid angles that may cause you to slip or slide in to or out of a point over the animals fur.

Stimulation of an acupoint is generally around 10 to 15 seconds. Acupoints are the same on both sides of the animal. If you work a point on the right side you should also work the corresponding point on the left side of the body.

The session should not be painful and is well-tolerated by most animals. The entire acupressure treatment should always be comfortable for patients. However, in cases of pregnancy (certain points may cause abortion), open wounds, or infectious diseases, acupressure is contraindicated.

Closing the Session

After an acupressure session you should preform The Closing. This has two functions: one, is to strengthen the energy flow between the points on the same meridians stimulated during your point work; and second, it establishes a healthy cellular memory pattern. Cellular memory is the cell's learned response to a chronic stimulus such as pain. The Closing phase helps the body to maintain the state achieved during point work.

Flat Hand Closing Technique

To perform the Closing, position your hand flat with your palm and fingers in full contact with the animal your working on. Using light pressure slide your hand over your pet from front to rear and top to bottom. Start at the neck, then go over the shoulder, across the back and over the hips. Proceed down the back leg, passing over the hock and terminate the Closing at the end of the rear foot/paw/hoof. Do this on both sides of the body.

Post Treatment

Allow your pet to rest for several hours before resuming work or strenuous exercise.

Resource
 
An excellent source for beautifully illustrated acupressure charts and in depth information on the location of acu-points for dogs, cats, horses and birds can be found at Pet Remedy Charts.