January 2008
Holistic First Aid for Housepets
Dogs and cats
can use
the same remedies as humans in dosages appropriate to their species
and/or body
weight. Although it’s best to consult
with a holistic veterinarian to ensure you’re giving your pet the right
remedy,
there are some herbals and homeopathics that can safely be part of your
pet’s
first aid kit.
Homeopathy
Animals
respond
extremely well to homeopathy, better than people in some cases! Remedies can be mixed with food, or crushed
into a powder and combined with a little honey, then applied to an area
where
your pet tends to lick itself such as the front extremities.
Dosage
guidelines for
homeopathic tablets are as follows:
Newborn
puppies and kittens - ½ tablet
Weaned puppies and kittens -
1 tablet
Adult cats
- 1 tablet
Adult dogs
- 1 to 3 tablets
·
Nux vomica:
for upset stomach/ vomiting
·
Hypericum:
to relieve nerve pain
·
Calendula:
to bring wound edges together and reduce healing time
·
Apis mellifica:
to reduce the swelling and stinging of insect bites
Herbs
Liquid plant
extracts
(tinctures) generally have the greatest potency and are very well
absorbed. Most tinctures contain only a
small amount of alcohol which can be evaporated before administering. Either put the dose into a small shot glass
and leave it in the open air for 15-30 minutes, or add the dose to a
small
amount of hot water and give the dilution after it cools.
Standard
dosage of
herbal tinctures for housepets is 1 drop per 2 pounds of body weight up
to 50
pounds; thereafter 1 drop per 4 pounds.
Tinctures may be mixed with food, applied with an eyedropper
directly
into the mouth, or mixed with ½ cup of water and given at room
temperature.
A few things
to keep
in mind when using herbal remedies:
·
Herbs
take time to build in the system, so don’t expect immediate results. More frequent doses, such as 3 times per
day, are typically more effective than a large dose once per day.
·
Dosage
may need to be adjusted depending on response.
If diarrhea or other signs of intolerance occur, reduce the dose
to ½
the original amount and see how your pet responds.
If intolerance continues, stop the remedy and consult with your
holistic vet.
Some common
herbal first aid remedies for pets
include:
·
Chamomile: to soothe and heal the digestive tract
·
Activated
Charcoal capsules: to
reduce diarrhea
·
Garlic
capsules:
to discourage parasites and stimulate proper digestion
·
Nettles: to diminish
the effects of seasonal allergies
·
Lavender oil
/ Tea Tree oil: to clean and disinfect small wounds
Diane Wiebe is an herbalist
and natural health practitioner at Okanagan Natural Care Center in
Kelowna. www.naturalcare.bc.ca
