HEALING CATARACTS IN PETS

Cineraria Maritima Ø (Dusty Miller)

The homeopathic remedy Cineraria Maritima, Mother Tincture has a reputation in the cure of cataract and corneal opacities. 

It is used diluted, EXTERNALLY. Apply one drop in the affected eye, three or four times a day. In cases of advanced opacity, and where pathological changes caused deterioration, less favorable results can be expected. Still, in the more advanced cases Cineraria can give temporary relief and serve to postpone surgery, without using steroids and prescription drugs. 

The formula calls for Homeopathic Cineraria Mother Tincture Ø which must be diluted first with a sterile saline solution to make your own eye drops.

Learn how to make the eye drops, it's easy READ MORE...

How to Make Parsley Tea for Dogs and Cats

Parsley is soothing to the kidneys and is used in ailments of the lower urinary tract such as cystitis, it also can be used to help prevent renal (kidney) gravel or stones from forming in dogs and cats. It is a rich source of anti-oxidant nutrients and vitamin C.  It also contains vitamin A from beta-carotene which is beneficial to dogs.

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon of fresh parsley
1 Cup of boiling distilled or purified bottled water

Instructions:

Coarsely chop the parsley into a cup, then pour in the boiling water. Cover the cup and allow it to steep until it reaches room temperature. Strain off the liquid.

Store unused portion in the refrigerator. Parsley tea should be made fresh daily.

Suggested dosage: 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons, more or less, depending on the size of the dog or cat, 3 times daily, used at short intervals (2 weeks on 2 weeks off).

Additionally, one to two tablespoons of fresh, finely minced parsley can also be mixed into the pets food daily.

Veterinary Uses of Parsley:

Parsley is a diuretic herb that helps to relax spasms and reduce inflammation. It cleanses the blood and helps clear toxins from the body, it also aids in stimulating digestion. It can be used for indigestion, colic and anorexia (poor appetite), cystitis and prostate problems. Due to its folic acid content which plays a big roll in blood vessel and heart health, some claim it inhibits tumor-cell growth, especially in the lungs.

"After" giving birth, it is useful in promoting lactation and contracting the uterus (especially when using the roots and seeds).

Externally, the leaves can help to relieve itchy skin, and bruising.

Contraindications: Herbal products containing concentrated forms of parsley 'especially the seeds and oil' should not be used during pregnancy (may cause contractions) or excessively in animals with kidney disease.

The use of citrus fruits, also mango and some vegetables (celery, parsley) that contain limonene are not recommended for feeding to pet 'male' rats. In the male rat, studies using limonene caused tumors and damage to the kidneys, but a specific protein unique to the male rat is thought to play a crucial role in this damage. Kidney damage is not considered a relevant risk for humans or other mammals.

Tip on how to keep parsley fresh longer: When you bring it home from the grocery store, snip off the ends of the stems. Rinse well and stand in a short glass, with enough water to cover the ends. Rinse the parsley and change the water in the glass daily. It's not only pretty on counter it will stay fresh and hold its medicinal properties for up to two weeks.

For a complete, step-by-step guide to confidently using natural remedies to treat your pets at home, we recommend using Pet Remedy Charts, Herbs, Homeopathy, Flower Remedies and Acupressure to the Rescue for dogs, cats, horses or birds. Using 'safe, side effect free', natural medicines you can treat almost any acute symptom of any disease! The charts are easy to use, simple to understand, economical and endorsed by holistic veterinarians.

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

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.

Flower Essence Repertory

Bach Flower Formulary 

This is a list of flower remedy combinations that may help in specific conditions and situations. Flower essences treat physical conditions on an emotional level. Physical treatments should always be considered simultaneously.

Boarding: Walnut, chestnut bud, honeysuckle, star of Bethlehem, olive, gentain, white chestnut; also for the owner who worries about the pet during separation.

Anemia: Walnut, chestnut bud, olive, star of Bethlehem, gentain

Animals that do not get along (jealously): Walnut, cheastnut bud, beech, willow, holly

Barking excessively: Chestnut bud, cerato, heather, vervain

Car sickness: Walnut, chestnut bud, scleranthus, mimulus, Rescue Remedy

Cystitis caused or aggravated by fear: Walnut, chestnut bud, aspen, mimulus, rock rose

Dermatitis: Crab apple, walnut, chestnut but, Rescue Remedy

Detoxification: Crab apple, walnut, chestnut bud, olive, gentain

Diarrhea: Walnut, crab apple, olive, star of Bethlehem, Rescue Remedy

Epilepsy: Walnut, cherry plum, scleranthus, larch, olive

Fear: Walnut, chestnut bud, mimulus, aspen, rock rose, larch

Grieving, Star of Bethlehem, walnut, honeysuckle, chestnut bud, gentain

"Healing crisis": If the aggravation lasts more than a few hours give gentain and Rescue Remedy. When the problem is resolved, discontinue giving the gentain and Rescue Remedy and continue with the original remedy or combination.

Incontinence: Walnut, chestnut bud, olive, agrimony

Infections: Crab apple, walnut, olive, gentain, Rescue Remedy

Paralysis: Walnut, chestnut bud, star of Bethlehem, gentain, olive, scleranthus

Stressful environment: Mixture of walnut, mustard, wild rose, crab apple sprayed in the area

Trips to vet or groomer: Rescue Remedy, elm, aspen, mimulus, sweet chestnut

Trailering (horses): Walnut, chestnut bud, mimulus, aspen, rock rose, scleranthus

Training: Walnut, chestnut bud, olive, clematis, impatiens, wild oat

Trauma: Walnut, crab apple, gentain, olive, star of Bethlehem, Rescue Remedy

Vestibular syndrome: Walnut, scleranthus, olive, cherry plum, chestnut bud, star of Bethlehem

Vomiting: Rescue Remedy, crab apple, walnut, star of Bethlehem, olive

Visit our website http://www.petremedycharts.com

Urinary Tract Infections

Cystitis and Struvite Crystals in Dogs and Cats

Natural Remedies for Calculi and Uroliths

Dogs and cats who have crystals and casts in small quantities may be considered to be normal. Crystaline or colloidal material coalesces to form a cast of the renal tubules and is flushed out by the urine. However, in large quantities, crystals may form calculi or uroliths and block the tract. A carnivorous diet produces acid urine. An herbivorous diet produces alkaline urine.  The normal pH for dog and cat urine ranges between 5-7. Usually dogs and cats who have calculi problems also have urine that is too alkaline.

Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections of the bladder (referred to as cystitis) play the major role in struvite stone information for two reasons:

Bacterial infections tend to make a dog or cat's urine more alkaline with pH higher than 7.0 which enhances the formation of struvite crystals. This is important in this specific condition as struvite crystals are more apt to remain in solution if the liquid is acidic (with a pH lower than 7.0). That is, they would continue to be dissolved in the liquid and no crystals would form.

If the crystals are formed rapidly and in large quantities, they will unite together to form stones. However, if only small amounts are formed over a longer period of time, they would simply be washed away in the urine without producing any problems.

Water Note:

If you are giving your pet bottled water, check the label. Do NOT give water that has minerals added back after the purification process. This could compound the problem with forming crystals. Look for companies that use a 'reverse osmosis' filtration system or use distilled water.

Diet: 

Dogs and cats who have recurring problems should be fed a diet containing 'quality' proteins. If possible, cats should not be free fed or given dry food. A fresh diet of home prepared meals may help to acidify the urine of both dogs and cats.

Homeopathic Remedies for Calculi in Dogs and Cats

Berberis 30c to give relief and promote normal urination. For the older dog or cat whose liver may not function properly and cause gravel. Many lab results confirm that the calculi consist of phosphates. Following diagnosis Calcarea Phosphorica 30c can be dry dosed once weekly for 6-8 weeks. Prevention: Calcarea Phosphorica 30c 1 pill given as a dry dose twice a month may help prevent or reduce occurrence of this condition.

Homeopathic Remedies for Cystitis (bladder infection) 

For Cats: 

Apis mellifica 200c or 30c. For the warm, thirst-less, restless or listless animal that may act indifferent. Pain, straining and burning at the end of urination. Sarsaparilla 30c can be used if the symptoms are worse at the end of urination: blood or mucous may pass after bladder has emptied. INTENSE pain that causes the cat to cry out in anticipation of urination or at the end of urination.

For Dogs: 

Cantharis 200c or 30c. For bladder infections with burning pain before, during and even after urination. Sarsaparilla 30c. Choose this remedy if symptoms are worse at the end of urination, blood or mucous may pass after bladder has emptied. INTENSE pain that causes the dog to cry out in anticipation of urination or at the end of urination.

Recommended Reading: For professionals or anyone who seriously wants to learn - 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.

 

Nutritional supplements: 

Cranberry (extract in capsule form) will help to acidify the urine. It will keep bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall, lessening the chance for infection and struvite crystals to form. NOTE: Do NOT give urinary acidifiers (cranberry extract, vitamin C, Methionine, etc.) when you are using one of the specialty diets that also acidify urine. 

Cod Liver Oil is healing to all cells and mucus membranes.

Albaplex made by Standard Process, is a glandular dietary supplement that can help clear the problem by giving direct support to the kidney, liver and urinary tract. It also supports the immune system and is safe to use until all signs of the infection have cleared.

Herbal Remedies: 

Nettle can be used as a long term general tonic and to help with painful urination. It can be brewed as a tea and added to a meal or the dried herb can be sprinkled on the pet's food from a capsule.

Parsley has a tonic effect on the kidneys. Add it freshly chopped to a dog or cat's food daily.

Marshmallow Root will relieve painful urination and help in the passage of small stones by coating and soothing the walls of the urinary tract.

Acupressure Points for Dogs and Cats

Bladder Infection

For precise dosing guidelines and additional healing and remedy choices we recommend "Pet Remedy Charts". For more information and to view the charts click the link below. 

http://www.petremedycharts.com