Critics may beg to differ, but homeopathic remedies have been successfully used in treating various dog illnesses. The best thing about them is that they do not have any side-effects and, hence come across as a good alternative for conventional therapy.
You must have seen your dog eating grass. The dog finds the grass on his own whenever he experiences a stomach ache, and immediately starts feeling better after eating it. The instinct to find a natural cure for their ailments comes naturally to animals.
We have just started availing the therapeutic uses of herbs and plants, but animals have known them since long. Therefore, natural remedies work better than their conventional counterparts in veterinary medicine.
Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathy is the branch of medicine which works on the principles of ‘similars’ or ‘like cures like’. In homeopathy, it is believed that a substance that induces certain symptoms in a healthy body, is also capable of curing similar symptoms in an unhealthy body. Typically, in this case, the treatment works by stimulating the dog’s own immune system against the underlying condition. For this, small doses of ‘potentized’ remedies are administered to the dog.
Is It Better Than Conventional Therapy?
In conventional therapy, certain chemical or biological agents are introduced inside the dog’s body in the form of antibiotics or anti viral drugs. These work by suppressing the symptoms of the disease. While doing so, they also suppress the dog’s immune system. Thus, even though the symptoms of the underlying disease are alleviated, the disease itself is not addressed.
The weakened immune system makes your dog even more susceptible to the disease as it is not completely disposed off. On the other hand, homeopathic treatment stimulates the immune system of the dog, so that it can work on its own to attack the underlying disease.
This also makes the dog less prone to the same disease in future. Moreover, these medicines are produced from minerals, or animal and plant matter, which makes them safe for consumption.
Diseases Cured
Homeopathic remedies are capable of curing a plethora of dog illnesses. They are effective in reducing pain and relieving the symptoms of various diseases and that too, without causing any side effects.
- Chronic ailments
- Skin irritation
- Chronic gastric and intestinal disorders
- Asthma
- Dog allergies
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Acute diarrhea
- Bleeding
- Bites and stings
Is It Safe for Your Dog?
Homeopathy is not entirely harmless. If the dosage is not properly administered, it may induce some ill effects. However, the doses are usually given in small amounts and in correctly potentized manner. Hence, in most cases, they work safely and without causing any side effects. Thus, if you are getting your dog treated from a qualified veterinarian, the chances of things going wrong are as good as none.
Administering Homeopathic Medicine
In homeopathy, medicines come in the form of tiny pellets. You can either drop them directly in your dog’s mouth or grind them in powder and put it in his mouth. Alternatively, you can also dissolve them in water. However, you shouldn’t mix them in his food as they are to be taken at least 45 minutes prior to meals. Also, avoid giving him other medicines, especially allopathic, while he is on homeopathic treatment. Similarly, do not vaccinate him until the course is over.
You might notice one or more symptoms of the underlying condition worsening while your dog is on treatment. This, however, is temporary, and you will eventually start noticing improvement in your dog’s condition. Homeopathic remedies take some time for treating chronic illnesses, but you should start seeing the signs of progress within a few days of onset of the treatment.
