The Nomadic Vet

Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a very old system of Medicine. It functions under the belief that the body has an ability to heal itself, and that re-balancing the body will allow this to occur. The body gives us symptoms of what is wrong and what requires healing, but often gets ‘stuck’ and these symptoms do not improve. These symptoms are an expression of what is going on in the body, and to simply stop the symptoms (suppress them) does not allow the body to heal itself. For example, putting an anti-itching cream on a dog that is itchy may help to resolve the itching temporarily, but the itching will eventually come back as the underlying reason for the itching has not been resolved. “Why is the dog itchy?” is the question that needs to be addressed. If it cannot be attributed to a diet problem, then one has to look at the sensitivity of the dog to the external environment, and try to address this. Unless the underlying reason for the itching is addressed, the cycle of itching, treatment, itching, etc. will continue. Homeopathy takes something in nature which is expressing the same symptoms (ie makes someone itchy), and gives it to the patient. This allows the patients symptoms to become stronger, and then takes the body towards healing (making the body “unstuck”). This is the Law of Similars or “Like Treats Like”. Because there are many similar symptoms, the remedy which is chosen must be as close of a match to ALL the symptoms of the patient, referred to as the Totality of Symptoms. So if the itchy dog in our example is more itchy at certain times of the day, feels better when in cold water, or feels better after he eats; these are all clues as to what remedy will match the patient and are more likely help treat or resolve the itching.

Instructions for using homeopathic remedies

Storage

• Store in a cool, dry, dark place (for example, in a bedroom drawer).
• Do not store in the kitchen or bathroom because of fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
• Store away from electronic equipment (cell phone, microwave, computer, etc.)
• Do not leave in direct sunlight or in a hot car in the summertime.
• Store away from strong smelling products (for example, camphor, eucalyptus, menthol, tiger balm, tea tree oil, aromatherapy oils, perfumes, lotions and soaps, herbs and spices, medicines, etc.) as they can damage homeopathic remedies.

Instructions for giving Remedies

• No food or water for at least 20 minutes before and after taking the remedy. (Unless otherwise instructed).
• Do not touch remedies with your hands (the oils in your skin can damage them).
• Do not leave remedy bottles sitting open. Close the lid tightly after use.
• If administering more than one remedy to your pet, do not use the same spoon or syringe for the different remedies, as this can contaminate the remedies.
• Wash the spoon or syringe after use with hot or boiling water. Allow to air dry before the next dose is administered.
• Do not pour or squirt the remedy directly down your pet’s throat. Homeopathic remedies are most effective when they are absorbed by the mucous membrane in the mouth. For more specific information about administering dry or liquid remedies, please see below.

Using Pills/Pellets (Dry) Remedies

• If poppy seed size pills – Pour the prescribed dose onto a spoon. Pour the pills from the spoon onto your pet’s tongue, or gently pull your pet’s lip out at the side of the mouth and pour the remedy between the lip and the gum (replacing lip to allow pills to dissolve).
• If pills are larger than poppyseeds – Pour the prescribed dose onto a spoon. Crush the pills between two spoons (wrapping a Kleenex around the spoons so that the pills do not scatter everywhere). Once crushed, pour the pills from the spoon onto your pet’s tongue, or gently pull your pet’s lip out at the side of the mouth and pour the remedy between the lip and the gum (replacing lip to allow pills to dissolve).

Using Liquid Remedies

• Before administering each dose of the liquid remedy, succuss the remedy the number of times you have been instructed. Succuss means to strike the bottom of the remedy bottle firmly against the palm of your hand or against a book. The bottle should NOT be shaken or agitated too vigorously.
• Administer one dose into the mouth of your pet (not directly down the throat).
• One dose = 0.5 cc / 0.5 ml of syringe or one bottle dropper (or as directed by the clinic).
• If using the dropper from the remedy bottle, drop the liquid remedy from the dropper onto a spoon before administering the dose. The dropper should not be used directly in your pet’s mouth since this will contaminate the remainder of the remedy in the bottle.