Pets Care

Adapted from The Healthy Pet Manual: A Guide to the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer by Deborah Straw (Healing Arts Press, 2005). http://www.care2.com/

Garlic has been given medicinally to humans and animals for at least 4,000 years. In the past 20 years, 2,000 studies have been performed on garlic’s impact on our most serious, widespread illnesses. One report concluded that the herb may have direct benefits against the “seven major diseases of our time: Hypertension, hyperlipemia (high cholesterol), heavy metal intoxication, infectious disease, free-radical damage, cancer and immune deficiency disease.”

According to Walter Last’s research, garlic protects against metastases and inhibits the growth of existing tumors. It also strengthens the immune system and allows the liver to detoxify more effectively.

Cats’ immune systems can easily become compromised from poor diet, stress, disease, breeding and showing and aging. Garlic is one herb that can help rebuild the immune system. It has been shown, through a variety of experiments, to be effective against viral infections, parasites and fungal infections.

Fresh garlic is sometimes used to treat fleas, but garlic salt and garlic flavoring do not work. One drawback is that garlic may cause anemia if given for long periods of time.

In her 1999 book, Keep Your Dog Healthy the Natural Way, medical writer Pat Lazarus lists garlic as one of several nutritional supports for canine cancer patients. Based on veterinarians’ reports, she recommends garlic tablets (Garlkicin or Kyolic); give one tablet daily to a small dog, two to three tablets twice daily to a larger dog.

Dog aggression can have various causes. The various kinds of aggression observed in dogs are categorized based on what causes it – fear aggression, dominance aggression, territorial aggression and others. Aggressive dog behavior can be induced by fear.

Fear is an emotion that we generally do not associate with dogs. However, it is a reality that some dogs can feel threatened or fearful due to certain specific objects, people or actions. If somebody, regardless of it being a human being or another animal, approaches a dog that is otherwise cringing in a corner with fear, the dog is likely to respond with aggression.

Such dog aggression can be understood in comparison with normal human behavior. Consider this – if you find yourself in a fearful condition and some one is approaching you without clarifying his intention, you are most likely to hit back in defense.

A dog cannot understand human language. In a fearful condition the dog is likely to misunderstand your gestures or body language. This can result in seemingly non-instigated aggression. While most dogs try to attack the source of fear, some resort to escape or show abnormal behaviors like increased fearful activity.

Dogs have evolved and learnt to adapt to life in a family. However, they do have emotions, fears and anger. Loud noises, a flying plane, firecrackers, bearded humans or for that matter, any strange object can induce fear in a dog.

Fear induced dog aggression commonly manifests when a dog is in an inextricable situation. It may also occur when a dog owner gives severe punishments to the pet, a prior fearful experience or unpredictable behavior by children in the family.

Maternal aggression and territorial aggression too form a part of fear aggression in dogs. A bitch, like a human mother, wants to protect her offspring. The only manner in which a bitch can protect her children is by being aggressive. It is important to understand that the fear emanates from inherent fear of harm.

Territorial aggression is different from fear aggression and occurs due to a dog’s natural tendency to protect his home ground. It is more related to dominance aggression. However, all dogs are not driven by this trait. Some poorly trained dogs may behave properly with other dogs when they are not in the vicinity of their own home.

However, the same dog may resort to aggression towards the same dogs if they approach their home. Such aggression is a manifestation of the fear that the dog has in relation to his domain. Also such aggression may surface only when the dog is on ‘home ground’.

To understand fearful aggression you should first understand the signs of fear in a dog. Some of the key indications of fearful aggression are a lowered head, tucked tail, flattened ears, panting, salivating, and avoidance of eye contact and sometimes even an attempt to escape.

It is advisable that you do not expose your dog to known fearful stimulus. This runs the danger of more extreme forms of dog aggression like dog biting. At the same time ignoring fearful behavior too is not the right thing to do. Consistent exposure to fear can triggers aggressive behavior in dogs.

Attempts should be made to remove the fear factor. Desensitizing your dog towards the object or person who causes fear is another technique that can be used.

The function of the immune system in a dog’s body is to recognize and destroy foreign substances and pathogens. Sometimes this system can go awry due to one reason or the other and starts attacking the body’s own cells. Conditions caused by such self-destructive responses are known as autoimmune or immune mediated diseases.

The immune system normally removes and destroys red blood cells that are four months old. New red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow to replenish the loss. Immune mediated hemolytic anemia is a condition where the immune system starts destroying red blood cells more than the bone marrow can produce.

It is not difficult to explain how this comes about to happen. Certain foreign substances like toxins, parasites and drugs, which the immune system must destroy sometimes cling to red blood cells. In its attack on the foreign agents it happens to harm the red blood cells also.

Red blood cells marked for destruction and coated with antibodies circulate through liver, spleen and bone marrow. The iron in them is sent to the liver for recycling. The liver finds that it has to process more iron than it can handle. This causes jaundice, a typical symptom of liver disease in dogs .

Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the different parts of the body. Inadequacy of red blood cells (anemia) causes ‘oxygen starvation’ leading to some symptoms that are similar to liver disease in dogs such as lethargy, loss of appetite along with other symptoms of unwillingness to exercise depression and panting.

Immune mediated hemolytic anemia can be classified as primary or secondary. Laboratory tests do not reveal any fundamental cause behind a primary condition. Secondary disease, however, is caused when the immune system unknowingly destroys its own blood cells while fighting an underlying condition. This could be a disease like cancer or an infection or exposure to a toxin or drug.

Platelets (thrombocytes) are tiny bits of protoplasm in blood, which are responsible for blood clotting. Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia is a disease in which the immune system starts destroying platelets. This leads to excessive bleeding from the gums, skin or nose and occasionally through feces or urine. Excessive loss of blood may also cause severe anemia. At times both immune mediated hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia may occur together.

Treatment involves suppression of the immune system so that the red blood cells or platelets (in case of thrombocytopenia) are spared from involuntary attacks. The most frequently used drug is prednisone, a steroid hormone that works as an immunosuppressant. The drug is continued along with constant monitoring till the tests reveal a significant improvement in complete blood count.

Long term use and higher doses of steroids have accompanying side effects that include increase in thirst and urination, predisposition to urinary tract infections, re-distribution of body fats and symptoms associated with Cushing’s syndrome. If the response is missing or too slow, stronger immunosuppressive agents are used, which are serious drugs and have a different set of more serious side effects.

Like feline liver disease, immune mediated hemolytic anemia too is more prevalent in dogs than cats but its prevalence can be equally devastating in both cases. If an underlying condition is discovered, it is vital that an attempt be made to correct that problem concurrently with treating the immune disease.

Autoimmune diseases in dogs follow an almost similar pattern as in humans. Just as autoimmune diseases in humans are suspected to be related to a genetic predisposition, certain breeds of dogs are more vulnerable than others.

The immune system is the body’s internal and natural self-healing system of reciprocation that comes into action as soon it recognizes an intrusion of foreign bodies. We call a disease as immune mediated when some underlying cause has caused the immune system to stop recognizing foreign substances.

The immune system stops creating antibodies for combating the invasion and produces an autoantibody that starts destroying normal cells. Such a disease may be restricted to a single organ or region or the whole animal.

Autoimmune diseases have far reaching consequences depending upon the extent to which they have affected the body of the dog. The pathological signs of multiple autoimmune diseases are normally seen in the same animal since the animal becomes more vulnerable to infections due to a weakened immune system.

For example, symptoms of liver disease in dogs as well as feline liver disease are common once the immune system’s automatic responses are restricted.

Typically autoimmune diseases occur due to four types of actions that take place within the body:

* An autoantibody targets a specific organ. For example, autoimmune hemolytic anemia occurs when an autoantibody targets blood cells. In Addison’s disease the target is the adrenal gland.
* Antibodies that target different proteins in the body are produced. These circulate through out the body and cause multiple organ autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by complex immunoglobulin class molecules that are deposited in the lubricating fluid in the spaces between joints.
* Sometimes antibodies and T-cells act together to restrict the activity of an organ. T-cells are one of the two types of cells that carry out an immune response. Autoimmune hypothyroidism is an example of disease caused through this mechanism. The thyroid receives a large number of T-cells and also antibodies programmed to destroy thyroid cells.
* Autoimmune diseases also arise from deficiencies in the complement system. For example liver disease in dogs restricts production of complement serum enzymes that have to be activated to carry out an immune response.

Due to the innate nature of the disease, autoimmune disease has multiple symptoms that depend upon the organs, body systems that are being targeted. As most of the symptoms tend to confuse and mimic other conditions it requires proper investigation through blood, urine and other tests to confirm whether the condition is immune mediated or not. Some of the symptoms in dogs, reported prior to diagnosis, include:

* Diarrhea and colitis: with or without traces of blood
* Lethargy, depression and intolerance to exercise
* Muscle wasting and weakness in legs
* Skin sores, mouth ulcers, lesions, especially nasal and anal lesions
* Stiff joints, alteration in gait tending to lameness and stiff limbs
* Enlarged lymph nodes
* Anemia
* Seizures
* Loss of appetite and weight
* Body odor
* A marked change in bark
* Weight gain if thyroid is affected

A weakened immune system fails to do what it has been programmed to and starts rejecting body’s own tissue as foreign. This exposes a dog to repeated attacks by infections that further deteriorate an already serious condition.

It is now coming to light that many well known diseases like hypothyroidism and diabetes may be immune mediated and caused by rejection of hormone producing cells.

Infuse together in a canola or soybean oil

1 oz each of crushed rosemary, thyme, lemongrass, catnip, basil, bay leaf and crushed cloves

(to infuse add 3 cups of oil to a pan or crock pot and simmer on low for about 1 hour, Let sit 24 hours and then strain out the herbs.) Apply rub to horses around ears ,neck, jaws, legs. Apply to humans on the arms ,neck legs, exposed skin.

Quick Hints

Lemon Balm or a yarrow tea can be misted on to children to help repel mosquitoes

Put bay leaves in your cupboard to repel roaches & moths.

Lavender sachets will help to repel moths . Patchouli sachets will also do the same thing.

Recently the EPA has approved several natural products as registered insect repellents. Natural bug repellents use essential oils to battle buggy insects. Citronella, a pungent grass from Southeast Asia is a common ingredient. Other plant oils – including cedarwood, eucalyptus, lemon grass and peppermint – help provide a wider range of protection.

A drop of pennyroyal essential oil on your dogs collar can help repel fleas. Don’t go overboard because your dog’s sense of smell is 50 times stronger than yours. You don’t want to drive your dog crazy with it.

There’s a horse show across the state in a few weeks, and you’re planning on being there with your horses. However, it’s been awhile since you last pulled a horse trailer, and you’re a little concerned about your trailering skills. After all, you want to arrive at your destination safely, with the horses as calm and relaxed as possible.

Guiding a loaded horse trailer down a country road or highway requires practical experience and know-how. There’s very little room for error. What do you do to ensure a safe, uneventful journey?

How to Ensure Safe Trailering

If you’re out of practice, or if you’ve never towed a trailer before, obtaining adequate personal experience prior to the actual event is of the utmost importance. Just as if you were learning to drive for the first time, you should begin by practicing basic driving skills before getting out in traffic with the trailer.

The more experienced you become, the more prepared you will be for anything that may potentially happen. With more confidence and a higher level of awareness and preparedness, you should be better able to handle any unexpected situation that comes along.

Find a level field or a parking lot in which to practice. Mark your course with several highway cones, then, set out to work on the following driving skills:

* Turning with your trailer.
* Backing your trailer.
* Parking your trailer on a grade.
* Stopping the trailer rig suddenly.

Ready for the Highway

After you’ve practiced all the basic driving skills while pulling your horse trailer and you feel confident in your ability to handle the rig safely, you’re ready to test your skills out on the road.

Try towing your trailer for short distances, at first. Make sure that you feel comfortable with turning corners in traffic, with backing your trailer, with parking on a grade, and with being able to stop your trailer quickly (should the need arise). Once you are confident in your towing abilities, you’re ready to travel any distance with your horses.

Just remember to always be alert when out on the roads. Drive defensively and be prepared for any possible situation.

About the author

Neva Scheve is the author of The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer. She and her husband Tom are the owners of EquiSpirit Horse Trailers. Built and designed for your horse’s safety.

By Tanya Nolte – Natural Horse

An expression that I’m sure many of you are familiar with is “the eyes are the window of the soul”! Let this be a reminder to take heed of your equine companion’s state of health by paying close daily attention to his eyes. Your horse’s eyes will reflect a lot about both his mental and physical condition, revealing telltale signs if something may be amiss. Obvious physical expressions of unwellness include a glassy appearance, dullness, redness, swelling, lachrymation (tearing) and other discharges, itching/ irritation, small whitish marks or other irregularities on the surface of the eye, irregular pupil size, eye closing, aversion to touch, and photophobia (light sensitivity).

Mental expressions can often be more in evidence than physical signs of any impending imbalance. The horse may exhibit fear, anger, sadness, aversion to company where he used to desire it, over-excitement, reluctance to work, pain or discomfort, inappetence, listlessness, new habits, etc, all of which can be seen by reading his eyes, facial expression, and body language. When you have made an intimate connection with your horse you will experience changes in his wellbeing often preceding the physical evidence that things are not as they should be.

Not only is a daily inspection and reading of your horse useful to keep tuned into his level of general health and wellbeing but if something seems out of character then you should never hesitate to discuss any concerns with your veterinarian. Eye conditions, or injuries, should always be treated with utmost respect. Damage to this fragile and delicate structure can rapidly turn into a very serious condition, even when displaying only subtle signs of trouble. Delay in treatment can result in very upsetting consequences.

Injuries to the eye are commonly encountered. Your horse may receive a blunt blow type of injury from a kick or a bump with a stable door. Just a simple poke from a piece of hay, or a foreign body such as an oat husk can cause significant damage. As the result of damage, i.e. a scratch, the initial irritation can lead to further abrasion of the eye, especially if there is a lack of moisture in the eye or if the patient rubs the eye. Consequently, an ulcer may develop. If you have nothing to offer for first aid treatment before a visit from your veterinarian other than water and salt, use it. A saline solution for bathing the eyes can provide valuable moisture and a degree of lubrication, while at the same time helping to cleanse. Use tepid, sterile, purified water only, such as cooled boiled filtered, and distilled, or bottled spring water and add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to a cup of water. The saline rinse can be applied 3-4 times daily. Effective therapeutic eye rinses are to be found in the remedy section to follow.

To prevent further irritation and assist healing, it is advisable to keep your horse indoors in a quiet, dark stall, have him wear a well-fitted eyemask/ flyveil or blinkers with a cover to protect from glare and bumping, keep dust levels to a minimum, and shelter from wind or draughts.

Inflammations such as conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva), or dacryocystitis (inflammation of the lachrymal sac, the.tear duct) are generally the product of infectious agents, trauma, dirt/ dust, allergies, and chronic illness. The swelling of the eyelids in chronic conjunctivitis can develop entropion where the eyelid turns in causing the eyelashes to rub and irritate the eyeball. Where an acute episode occurs and you have attempted home treatment, if you don’t see a timely response you should seek expert assistance!

Iritis (inflammation of the iris), keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), and ophthalmia (inflammation of all the structures within the eye) will demand early attention to help avoid ulceration and corneal opacities, and especially any dilation of the general structures of the eye (hydrophthalmia) causing increased volume where it is important to decrease any intraocular tension.

A leading cause of blindness in horses is Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU), or recurrent inflammation of the inner eye (uvea), also known as Periodic Ophthalmia, Recurrent Iridocyclitis, or Moon Blindness (since recurrence often appears with phases of the moon). As the name suggests, acute episodes can become a series of repeat attacks. Each subsequent attack will lead to increased residual damage leading ultimately to blindness. These episodes can be encountered in one or both eyes with an interval of weeks to years. Early treatment is essential to help modify the course of this disease.

There are considered to be several inciting causes to ERU but this is not always identifiable for every case. Possibilities include trauma and bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic, and other systemic diseases. The pathophysiological route of how ERU is perpetuated remains elusive. However, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual, it is widely believed that ERU may be the result of immune-mediated responses to persistent antigens and/ or antigen mimicry (resemblance) of ocular tissues, or autoimmunity. This is consistent with many other species, including man.

The chief infectious cause of ERU is leptospirosis and clinical signs of ERU may not be evident for months or years after primary infection. It has been demonstrated that antigen mimicry exists between L-pomona and equine ocular tissues. The most commonly implicated parasitic cause of ERU is migration of Onchocerca cervicalis microfilariae. It can be appreciated how important it is to maintain your horse’s health at an optimum level, with constitutional homoeopathic therapy included, to provide a natural resistance to invasion of these parasites.

The scope and the number of homoeopathic remedies that can be used for eye conditions are quite expansive. There are many for specific indications of superficial eye problems and for a range of injuries, but an even greater number when addressing a chronic complaint that is the result of a deep chronic illness. Problems of a chronic nature will require a constitutional approach and guidance from an experienced homoeopath, or homoeopathic veterinarian.

HELP FOR THOSE PRECIOUS EYES:

The following remedies are but a few of the most common remedies that may help heal whatever ails your horse’s eyes, and is by no means a comprehensive listing. For further considerations please consult your Materia Medica. Homoeopathic remedies are most effective when the symptoms and the remedy picture are closely matched. While these remedies are indicated for eye problems, they are not limited to these problems, nor are the problems limited to these remedies. Considering the type of ailment, any other health discrepancies, and the nature of the horse as a comprehensive whole, a professional homoeopath can give the best guidance on which remedy accurately fits the patient to provide the most beneficial results. Your homoeopathic practitioner will also have experience and knowledge in which remedies are complementary to each other and which are not, the lesser known remedies and those difficult to acquire, dosage guidelines, how to unravel a difficult case as it unfolds, be able to work on miasmatic background (inherited pre-dispositions), and point out obstacles to cure.

ACONITE…’the Arnica of the eye’ – For any acute inflammatory eye ailment, especially given in the early stages. Symptoms arise suddenly, are violent and painful, and particularly when they occurred after cold, dry winds, a chill, after a shock or fearful episode. The eye is hot, dry, and red with the eyelids appearing tight. Profuse lachrymation (tears) can become evident after dry, cold wind or from snow glare. The horse can exhibit restlessness, fearfulness, tossing, flushing and/ or palpitation. This remedy is frequently alternated with Belladonna for flare-ups of chronic complaints where there is anxiety, suddenness of symptoms, violence of symptoms, fever, a bounding pulse and bright, shining eyes. E.g. conjunctivitis, dacryocystitis, keratitis, ophthalmia, uveitis, etc; and immediately following the removal of a foreign body
Worse for – dry, cold winds, snow, or chill; exposure to extreme hot or cold surroundings; fright, shock or emotional trauma; during the night; being overheated in stuffy stables; lying on painful areas.
Better for – fresh air; and sweating

ALLIUM CEPA – For minor eye inflammations. The eyes lachrymate profusely with the tears being very bland but the eyes will feel burned and sore. An irritating discharge from the nose that may be worse in the left nostril, coughs and colds (cough sensitive to inhaling cold air), or allergies and hay fever can often accompany eye symptoms. Urination may also appear to cause discomfort because it feels like the urine is burning. The horse can be photophobic, and have an increased hunger and thirst.
Worse for – damp weather; warm stable; toward evening; resting and when lying down
Better for – being in open air; bathing; moving around

ARNICA – For essential first aid relief! A very important remedy for bruising, shock, accident or trauma of any kind. It aids in reducing blood loss, encourages reabsorption of blood from bruised tissues (also Hamamelis), encourages healing of wounds, and helps the patient become more approachable. E.g. retinal haemorrhage; bloodshot eyes after a fall or other accident (bloodshot, black eye also Ledum); mechanical blows of blunt objects (also Symphytum); post surgical procedures. Give as soon as practicable after an injury or surgery. The horse can display restlessness and discomfort, bruised, aching, sore pains, obvious sensitivity to touch, intolerance of company, and may prefer to be left alone.
Worse for – exposure to cold, damp conditions; overexposure to heat or sunlight; too much exercise or movement; being touched or approached; at night
Better for – resting with the head lower than the body

BELLADONNA – For intense, distressing eye conditions. Like Aconite, symptoms can arise with sudden and violent onset. Pains will be throbbing and pulsating with the horse showing dilated pupils and shining eyes, redness, burning and heat, fever, a bounding pulse, and extreme sensitiveness to touch, pain, jarring, light and noise. E.g. conjunctivitis; ophthalmia; any recently acquired painful injury, especially with a twitching of the eyelids. Mental symptoms may also be violent in nature with extreme agitation or excitability, with a desire to strike, bite or kick. Thirst is usually not marked.
Worse for – affections on the right side of the body; light and looking at shiny objects; being around running water; noise and jar; after a clip or wash; at 3pm
Better for – leaning the head against something; from a light covering.

CALC FLUOR – For cataracts (also Conium or Arnica when the cataract develops after an injury). This remedy has a marked action on many bodily tissues, not least the eye. It features an ability to relax and help dissolve scar tissue and adhesions and acts most favourably on hard nodules. The lens can look like a small mustard-like pearl behind the pupil. Other symptoms include spots on the cornea, corneal opacity, and aching eyeballs. Useful for dacryocystitis when there is a recurrence of a small boil and formation of fistula; phlyctenular keratitis (inflammatory condition of the cornea that is characterised by tiny ulcerating nodules); and subcutaneous palpebral cysts. The horse may have a craving for salt. This remedy may need some time to manifest a result and should not be repeated too often.
Worse for – changes of weather, damp weather; beginning motion; sprains; during rest
Better for – closing the eyes and pressing tightly; heat, warm applications; rubbing; continued motion

EUPHRASIA – For numerous eye complaints. There is no mental picture for this remedy. It is chiefly a pathological acute remedy. Symptoms can include an abundant flow of corrosive tears, so as to prevent seeing (especially when exposed to the wind), swelling and agglutination (gluing/ sticking together of the eyelids), swelling of the lower lid, smarting in the eyes, bland coryza, bloodshot eyes, aching eyes, burning, swelling and itching, photophobia and winking, opacity of the cornea, obscuration of and pellicle (a thin film or skin) over the cornea after mechanical injuries, bluish obscuration of the cornea, inflammation and ulceration of the edges of the eyelids, scars from ulcers and specks in the cornea, and eruption of small milliary pimples round the eyes. Therefore, think of the use of this remedy for any eye that appears diseased or damaged. E.g. ulceration; conjunctivitis; hay fever; entropion; blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids); iritis; ophthalmia; uveitis; eye injury; etc.
Worse for – light; smoke; in the evenings; in southerly winds
Better for – the dark; bathing of the affected parts; out of the wind

NB: In low potency (3x-6x) this remedy makes an excellent eye rinse for general bathing or to promote healing of more serious conditions. One drop of Euphrasia to every 20 mls of tepid, sterile, purified water can be used for bathing with a swab. Alternatively, you may draw up a prepared solution with a sterile syringe (no needle) to squirt gently into the eyes taking care not to bump the eye. Oral doses of 6c-30c, or higher (refer to your homoeopathist), can be given simultaneously to work at a different level.

HEPAR SULPH – For purulent processes of the eye. The Hepar sulph horse can be aggressive and irritable while exhibiting hypersensitivity to pain, cold, drafts, touch and noise. You may even find a sense of the horse being offended by your administrations in the attempt to look after him. Pains can be described as splinter-like. The use of this remedy will be governed by the existence of purulent inflammation. E.g. purulent and offensive smelling discharges; eye trouble accompanying a sinus infection; ulceration; conjunctivitis; hypopyon (pus/ abscess behind the cornea)
Worse for – cold, drafts; any part of the body being uncovered; lying on the painful eye; touch
Better for – warmth; damp weather

NB: Low potencies (30c and under) promote suppuration, whereas high potencies (200c and above) promote resolution!

HYPERICUM – For any nerve related injuries, or penetrating wounds to the eye. Pains are more severe than the extent of the injury would seem to merit. All symptoms are worse from being touched, with obvious signs of distress, depression or drowsiness following an accident or wound. With Hypericum’s special affinity for injured areas that are rich in nerve supply, head injuries leading to retinal detachment, or optic nerve damage should be well supported by this remedy. There will be the added benefit from this remedy towards the head injury itself, or any accompanying spinal injury and trauma.
Worse for – touch; movement; contact with damp, cold air; after urinating
Better for – keeping still; bending backward (hollowing the back)

NB: This is another useful remedy for making a pain relieving eye rinse that can also assist with healing abraded eye tissues. Best to make as ‘HyperCal’ solution where 1 part Hypericum mother tincture and 1 part Calendula mother tincture are added to 20 parts of tepid, sterile, pure water and applied as for the Euphrasia eye rinse.

KALI-BIC – For characteristic yellow, tough, stringy discharges of the eye. This applies to all mucous surfaces and the yellowish colouring is a good guiding symptom. Discharges may form crusts and when removed usually leave a raw sore. Consider Kali bic for chronic eye affections such as purulent eye discharge accompanying sinusitis; corneal ulcers (mostly round with clear-cut edges); and conjunctivitis with heat, redness and itching. The horse may be irritable and indifferent but less so after eating.
Worse for – morning or after sleep, 2-3am; cold, damp; open air; spring, hot weather; suppressed catarrh; protruding tongue; undressing (removing rug)
Better for – heat; motion; pressure

PULSATILLA – For affections in general appearing on the cornea and eyelid margins. Changeable symptoms are a characteristic of this remedy, or they move from one place to another. A burning, itching in the eyes is chiefly seen in the evening (inducing rubbing or scratching). Inflammation appears as redness of the sclera and conjunctiva, copious secretion of thick mucous with nightly agglutination, and swelling. Discharges (also nasal, or vulval) are typically yellow or white and bland with profuse lachrymation, principally in the wind, as well as in open air, in the cold, and in clear bright daylight. Try this remedy for trichiasis (an abnormal inversion of the eyelashes that irritates the eyeball); sty-like eruptions, especially on the upper lid; a clouded crystalline lens that is of a greyish colour; an abscess near the angle of eye, like a lachrymal fistula (discharging pus on pressing it); and amaurosis (paralysis of the optic nerve or blindness due to systemic causes rather than damage, or due to emotional shock) where the patient’s gaze looks fixed and stupid. These individuals usually have little to no thirst. If they have a thirst it usually appears only after eating. Pulsatilla horses are usually clingy and needy, easily saddened, sweet and loving, timid, mild and easily led or influenced. However, their neediness can make them appear selfish.
Worse for – exposure to sun; getting cold; getting feet wet; warm stuffy stable; at twilight; rich food
Better for – bathing; fresh air; movement; pressure

SILICEA – For all the tissues of the eye. Helps to promote absorption of opaque material, and hence to reduce scarring. These horses may experience pressure and smarting in the eyes and lids with spasmodic closing of the lids, lachrymation, especially in open air, affections appearing in the angles of the eyes and in the region of the tear ducts, and associated swelling of the lachrymal glands. There can be momentary attacks of sudden blindness, cloudiness of the crystalline lens, photophobia, and dazzling in broad daylight which will frequently lead to its use in ERU. Found to be beneficial for fungus haematodes and ulcers; hypertrophied corneal tissue; hypopyon (less pussy than Hepar sulph); suppuration of foreign bodies; blocked tear ducts, and lachrymal fistula weakness. The Silicea horse lacks grit, or initiative. He is so tired that he just wants to hang out or lie down all the time. He is timid and full of fears with a peculiar fear of pointed objects (also Spigelia). Being a sensitive and nervous individual he can start at every sound, or jump if touched. On the other hand, he can be easily irritated, obstinate and fixed. Less chilly than the Hepar sulph horse, with a poor appetite but an excessive thirst. Paradoxically the appetite may in some cases be increased and ravenous.
Worse for – cold, uncovering; worse full and new moon; getting tired; suppressed sweats; change of weather, before a storm; pressure, touch, and combing hair
Better for – warmth, warm applications; lying down; magnetism and electricity; while eating but worse after eating; wet, and humid weather

NB: Low potencies (30c and under) promote suppuration, whereas high potencies (200c and above) promote resolution!

SYMPHYTUM – For blunt trauma injuries to the eye that fail to penetrate. This remedy is the leading remedy for the nature of this type of eye damage. There will be great pain in the eyeball with prickling and stitching pains, retinal bleeding, and spasmodic closing of the eye. Symphytum can also be useful for orbital bone fractures and corneal abrasions. Alternating Symphytum with the remedy Ruta grav can add to a favourable response in assisting to heal the damage to the eye and/ or bone surrounding the eye. Ruta grav acts on bruising, eyestrain, or loss of power in the eye muscles and can be seen to have a synergistic effect with Symphytum.
Worse for – blows from blunt objects; after the injury; being touched, pressure; motion; walking
Better for – gentle motion; rest; warmth

Homoeopathic treatment stimulates the body’s innate self-healing intelligence to return to homeostasis, and to cure itself. The remedies achieve the best results when carefully selected by matching the remedy picture to that of the symptoms of the patient. Not everything found in a remedy picture has to be demonstrated in the patient but the totality of symptoms of the patient should be well represented within the remedy. An important law and a treasure to remind oneself with is ‘match the remedy to the patient, not the patient to the remedy’.

This article is for educational purposes only and in no way replaces veterinary advice or treatment. Always call your veterinarian when serious events arise. If you desire to follow a holistic path, I would recommend that you obtain approval from your veterinarian to seek the professional services of a qualified classical homoeopath or other certified holistic health practitioner.

References:

“Studies of Homoeopathic Remedies” by Dr. Douglas Gibson
“Masterkey to Homoeopathic Materia Medica” by Dr. K.C. Bhanja
“Homoeo Practitioner’s Guide to Diseases” by Dr. A.C. Dutta
“Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicine” by Dr. S.R. Phatak
“Homoeopathic Drug Pictures” by Dr. M.L. Tyler
“A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica” by J.H. Clarke, MD
“The Homoeopathic Emergency Guide” by Thomas Kruzel, ND
“The Treatment of Horses by Homoeopathy” by George Macleod, DVSM
“Homoeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs” by Don Hamilton, DVM
“The Merck Veterinary Manual, 8th Ed.” published by Merck & Co., Inc
“Case History and Clinical Notations” by Tanya Nolte, VN, DipHom

About the author:
Tanya Nolte lives in NSW, Australia where she keeps a number of horses and also an interesting array of other furry animal companions. She has educated horses and competed successfully in a number of equine disciplines for more than 35 years. Tan is a practicing veterinary nurse as well as a classical homoeopath. She conducts consultations at several veterinary clinics, a human/ animal homoeopathic practice, and privately at her home office. She has acquired her Diploma of Homoeopathy, high grades in the Medical Sciences of Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology, Biochemistry, Symptomatology and Differential Diagnoses, and her level 1 Reiki Certificate. Tan is a professional member of the Australian Homoeopathic Association, the official Australian Registrar of Homoeopaths, and the Holistic Animal Therapy Association of Australia for which she is also a committee member. Although specialising in equine health, Tan also happily works with all our other animal companions and their human counterparts. She is available for distance consultations via phone, regular mail or E-mail correspondence.

For more information, and to find a homoeopath near you:

Tanya Nolte, Classical EquiHomoeopath.
Whispering Horse Therapies
PO Box 170, Nimbin
NSW 2480, Australia
Phone 0266 897500
altcare@lis.net.au
www.whisperinghorsetherapies.50megs.com

Australian Homoeopathic Association
PO Box 396 Drummoyne
NSW 1470, Australia
Phone 02 97192763
www.homeopathyoz.org

Holistic Animal Therapy Association of Australia
PO Box 202, Ormond, Melbourne
Vic 3204, Australia
Phone 03 59688100
www.hataa.asn.au

The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy
751 N.E. 168th Street
North Miami Beach, FL 33162-2427
Phone 305-652-1590
www.acadvethom.org

National Center for Homeopathy
801 North Fairfax St., Suite 306
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-548-7790
www.homeopathic.org

American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
2214 Old Emmorton Road
Bel Air, MD 21015
410-569-0795
410-569-2346
www.altvetmed.com

Horse supplies run the gamut from grooming products to nutritional supplements. But there is an essential horse supply that you shouldn’t leave your barn, or your saddlebag without. Horse first aid pack might be just the thing that could save your horse’s life.

Hollywood had often dramatized the situation wherein the rider shoots his horse because it is injured. Probably, he doesn’t have his first aid pack with him. No good comes from killing a horse over a minor injury if you could put it out of its agony without pulling the trigger.

Plus, you know from experience that no matter how thought out or planned an outing might be, there are just some things that go awry. It’s not being paranoid, it is being prepared. Your preparation might help prevent your ride from turning into a Hollywood drama.

The kit must be stored in a container or bag that can keep moisture and dirt out because these encourage the growth of bacteria. You would just aggravate your horse’s infection if you used contaminated bandages. Stores that sell horse supplies carry items such as a plastic zipper bag.

Aside from keeping tools, or grooming equipment, these are also good for storing first aid items. Groceries sell plastic food containers in varying sizes. Aside from keeping possible contaminants out, you could also choose one that could fit in your saddlebag.

Among the things that you should include in your kit, a disinfectant probably is the most handy in most injuries. From minor scrapes and abrasions to wounds, disinfectants are essential cleansers. Just follow the manufacturers’ instructions especially when using industrial grades as excessive use could dry your horse’s skin. Antiseptic scrubs and swabs become useful for disinfecting wounds in the absence of water. These are excellent substitutes for disinfectants because they clean wounds with the same efficiency, but without the need for water.

Ointments or wound powders are also worthy additions to your kit. They can prevent entrance of new bacteria inside the wound and speed up the healing process. However, be sure to use ointments, powders, and creams that have been approved by your vet.

A fly repellent applied or sprayed on the wound lowers further infection or contamination risks considerably. Wound dressings come in sterile individual packs and they are good for covering wounds and promoting healing.

There should be a supply of bandages in your kit, or at least two with a wide breadth. They are good for stabilizing fractures, splints, and securing pads over bleedings. Speaking of bleedings, cotton wool and gauze are essential for preventing excess bleeding. Salts are good for soaking diseased hooves and feet.

Aside from these medications, there are some supplies which you can buy from equine stores and regular drug stores. Petroleum jellies are good for chafing, minor burns, and skin sores. A thermometer is an investment to add to your horse supplies.

Expert riders advise to keep your thermometers clipped to the tail of your horse to avoid loss. Scissors, tweezers, and forceps are tools you shouldn’t forget adding to your first aid pack. Aside from cutting bandages, they are also perfect for removing splinters and stones stuck in horses’ hooves.

Lastly, these first aid pack is just for providing your horse help in emergencies before the vet arrives. These are just for preventive measures, meaning they can’t cure your horse. It is still important to call a vet after applying first aid.

About the Author

For more valuable information on horse supplies please visit http://www.supplieshorse.com

For those interested in founder/laminitis in horses, here are some articles about founder/laminitis and how to treat from a natural trimming point of view.

http://www.hoofrehab.com/rehabilita tions1.htm

http://www.hoofrehab.com/jessica. htm

http://www.hoofrehab.com/end_ of_white_ line_disease. htm#laminitis%
20update

http://www.hoofrehab.com/wild_ horses.htm

http://www.barefoothorse.com/ – click on Founder

http://www.naturalhorsetrim. com/

By: Cheyanne West of Today’s Horse

Homeopathic Calendula is probably the best remedy for healing ANY kind of cut, wound, ulcer, abrasion etc. Don’t believe me? Next time you get a paper cut, take a dose and see what happens! The healing power of this remedy is equally matched by it’s power to kill pain related to surgery, cuts, wounds, etc..

This remedy is for healing wounds of all kinds both internally and externally. It can be given internally to aid in healing from the inside out and topically to flush a serious wound or cut. It is highly effective after surgery to aid in healing and reduce scaring. It can be used as an eye drop to aid in healing scratches and combined with homeopathic Hypericum, can be very soothing. Historically, it has been used to heal punctures, abscesses, mouth ulcers, stomach ulcers, lacerations, ruptured ear drums, tooth extractions and has been very effective in healing ulcerations in the esophagus from ingestion of blister beetles and over use of pain killing drugs.

Calendula is very effective in healing torn ligaments, tendons and cartilage and combined with Ruta is very effective in the treatment of founder where rotation is due to the contraction of the tendons/ligaments.

Last summer I had an 8 year old mare grass founder. When she came into the paddock with the classic pose, leaning on her back feet. I treated her first with Aconite then Belladonna. The next symptom, she was resting the hoof on the toe of the left front foot. Ledum was given and a few hours later, she was not limping but visibly sore. I decided to try the combination of Calendula as a healing agent and pain killer for the tendons and ligaments and Ruta for aiding in restoring the elasticity of the tendon/ligaments and within 2 days she was walking normal.

I had underestimated the power of these two remedies for lameness, but had another surprise came when a gelding who had stretched a suspensory tendon and was placed on Bandimine for 3 weeks straight. The gelding coliced 3 different times, each time coming out of it but clearly stressed upon eating hay. We began a regiment of Aloe Vera Juice and Calendula in his drinking water. Four days later the gelding coliced again, very seriously and went into colic surgery. An interesting observation came from the surgeon. He said that the ulceration in his stomach, which was aggravated by the hay, “appeared to be healing on it’s own nicely”. The owner didn’t share the use of Aloe Vera and Calendula, but it was proof enough that the treatment was working .

Though I do not advocate the use of alternative therapies only in serious cases of colic, please do not underestimate the healing power of this remedy for any ulcer, cut, surgery under the heading of “healing”. It should be readily available along side your Arnica and other remedies used in your emergency kit.