Your Dog's Health:
Alternative Approaches
Meet First Aid
As the name implies, ’First’ aid may be needed for our pets in the event of an accident or other medical emergency. The techniques described in this article are general in nature and are also meant to be used prior to taking your pet to an Emergency Vet or to your local Animal Hospital. These techniques are not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care. Under no circumstance should you use this guide to diagnose or treat your pet’s condition.
Let’s begin in the ’Be Prepared Department’. Here is your first assignment - write down the telephone numbers of your primary care vet, local animal poison control center and your local emergency after hours clinic on a small card. Keep these numbers with you at all times so you can call ahead in the event of an emergency. Knowing which numbers to call can save precious time if you need to rush your pet to the vet. Imagine if you had to run to find a phonebook and then look up a number in an emergency situation - when you finally dial the number you get an after hour recording! Your vet’s office staff can provide these numbers to you.
Next, let’s look at the common symptoms of an animal in distress. Interestingly, these symptoms are very similar to those humans might experience; Fever, extreme panting, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, seizure, sudden yelping or crying out, bleeding from a body opening, difficulty breathing, limping, collapse, loss of consciousness, or any unusual physical or mental symptom that comes on suddenly.
If you witnessed an accident it is easy to relate the symptom to the event but sometimes the symptoms come on some time after an event. For example insect bites or stings, punctures, poisoning, or fights with another animal.
When your animal requires first aid you will need to be prepared and to stay calm. If you familiarize yourself with the techniques mentioned in this article and become familiar with the basic remedies we will cover, you will have a great advantage that may save you pet’s life.
What is homeopathy?
Homeopathic remedies have been successfully used for almost 300 years. The remedies themselves are made from plants, minerals, and insects which have been diluted many times. In fact they are diluted so many times they have no side effects or drug interactions. This makes them ideal for emergency use because they cannot harm your pet, even in emergency situations.
Homeopathic remedies work according to the Law of Similars (like cures like). Here’s an example that may help you to understand how the remedies work. Have you ever cut open an onion and had tears come to your eyes? The latin name for onions is Allium Cepa - in homeopathy because ’like cures like’ we would take the remedy Allium Cepa to stop the tears. The remedy works by stimulating the body’s natural defenses and immune system allowing the body to rebuild health, naturally. Do you have poison ivy (Rhus Tox)? You would take the remedy Rhus Tox. Stung by a bee (Apis Mel)? You guessed it - the remedy to take is Apis Mel.
One final point to make about homeopathy. If you take the incorrect remedy, nothing bad will happen. For example if you were to take an entire bottle of Rhus Tox (poison ivy) and you did not have poison ivy rash - you would NOT get poison ivy from the remedy. The remedy cannot cause the condition. The reason is because the remedy is so highly diluted it is considered an energetic medicine. There is NONE of the original substance left in the remedy after all the dilution.
Homeopathic remedies are low cost and are available at most health food stores. Look for the 30C or 30X potency. This will be marked on the container. For example Arnica 30C
To administer the remedies to your pet is very easy. If the animal is not seriously injured you can place 4 or 5 pellets anywhere into the mouth. You do not have to get the pellets down the throat - anywhere into the mouth is fine. If the dog is unconscious, lift the lips or flews and place the remedies anywhere under the tongue or flews. Be careful of an injured dog, they may be in great pain and try and bite. Use common sense.
Finally, homeopathy is not age or weight dependent. All dogs regardless of age or weight will get the same dose. In other words a mouse and an elephant will get the same dose:
For Acute Symptoms, use 4 or 5 pellets every 10 or 15 minutes for the first hour. If the symptoms improve, change the dose to every 30 minutes for the next hour, then stop.
Your first aid kit
Here is a list of supplies you should have on hand for your pet first aid kit.
1. For small dogs - a corrugated carton is useful for emergency transport to the vet
2. Clean towels
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
4. Distilled water
5. Sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
The following natural remedies and tinctures are essential
1. Homeopathic remedies
Aconite - Aconitum napellus 30C - excellent remedy for any condition that comes on suddenly (fever, anxiety) Aconite needs to be given at onset. The window for Aconite’s effectiveness is very small. If you cannot give Aconite in the first 10-15 minutes then look for the remedy for the particular condition.
Apis - Apis mellifica 30C - this is the remedy for bee, hornet or wasp stings. Apis also covers conditions that present as red, swollen and shiny (like a bee sting)
Arnica - Arnica montana 30C - the premiere remedy for bumps, bruises or strains. Also used to minimize internal bleeding.
Belladonna - Belladona 30C - used for fevers and sunstroke
Cantharis - Cantharis 30C - an excellent remedy for burns and scalds.
Carbo Veg - Carbo vegetabilis 30C - works well for digestive upsets and is also used for collapse in older dogs
Gelsemium - Gelsemium 30C - another remedy for heatstroke. Also useful for anxiety.
Hypericum - Hypericum 30C - This remedy should be used for nerve pain and any injury to the paws (crushed toes or tail)
Lachesis - Lachesis 30C - Very useful for snake bites - use with Ledum
Ledum - Ledum 30C - An excellent remedy for any puncture wound - this includes bites, nails, or anything that punctures the skin - a very effective remedy.
Nux Vomica - Nux Vomica 30C - General antidote to poison, also for digestive disorders and aggression
Symphytum - Symphytum 30C - Used for injuries to the bones and any blow to the head particularly around the eyes.
2. Bach Rescue Remedy tincture - this is often called First Aid in a bottle. Rescue remedy should be given in any emergency situation to help calm the animal. Rescue remedy is a Flower Essence formulated by Dr Bach. 5-10 drops may be given directly into the mouth every 15 minutes.
3. Calendula Tincture - Calendula tincture is excellent for dressing wounds. The diluted tincture should be applied to a gauze pad along with hydrogen peroxide and applied to the skin.
Sources:
Rescue Remedy - www.naturalcanine.com
Homeopathic remedies - www.homeopathyovernight.com
Many retail Health Food Stores sell homeopathic remedies.
References:
Homeopathic Medicine for Dogs - H.G. Wolff MVSC
Homeopathic First Aid for Animals - Kaetheryn Wlaker
Dogs: Homeopathic Remedies - George Macleod MRCVS, DVSM, Vet FF Hom
The Veterinarians’ Guide to Your Dog’s Symptoms - Michael S. Garvey DVM et al
The Homeopathic Treatment of Small Animals - Christopher Day MA VetMB VetFFHom MRCVS
Small Doses for Small Animals - Don Hamilton, DVM
Michael Forte is a freeland writer and co-owner of The Natural Canine and Max’s Tales. He has completed the British Institute of Homeopathy Veterinary Homeopathy distance learning course. Michael and his wife, Marlene, and two rescue dogs (Molly and Becky) live in Vermont.
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