HOMEOPATHY FOR RABBITS AND GUINEA PIGS
(From an article by Belinda Francis first published in Fur & Feather)
The 'father' of homoeopathic medicine, Samuel Hahnemann, working in the late
18th century, became disillusioned with conventional )allopathic) medicine.
He felt that many of the 'treatments' merely suppressed the symptoms which
would return with a vengeance when the treatment ceased. Homoeopathic
treatment is based on very small amounts of substances serially diluted in
water which are then used to treat the very symptoms which large amounts of
that same substance would cause. This is often referred to as 'like cures
like'.
Most readily available homoeopathic remedies are in potencies of 6c, 12c or
30c. The 'c' stands for centesimal dilution. To make 6c potency, the mother
tincture, of say Chamomile, is added to purified water to create a 1:100
solution and subjected to succussion (rigorous shaking) designed to release
the curative properties of the substance. This 1c solution is then added to
water, again in a ration of 1:100 and subjected to succussion to create a 2c
solution and so on. The more dilute a homoeopathic substance is, the more
potent it is considered to be.
As a result of this dilution process the homoeopathic formula has no
material substance from the original mother tincture present. How then does
it work if nothing's there? The truth is that even the homoeopaths don't
really know for sure but it is believed by other natural scientists, like
Schauberger, that water has a memory of the substances it has contained.
What is certain, however, is that whilst the wrong remedy has no effect, the
right one effects a cure.
We are fortunate in the UK to have, and to have had, a number of well known
homoeopathic vets practicing, many of whom have written books on the
subject. Whatever we don't know about how homoeopathy works, we certainly do
know that, human nature being what it is, veterinary surgeons would not
survive in a homoeopathic practice if what they were doing didn't work!
The term 'homoeopathic vet' does not mean one who practices only
homoeopathy. Homoeopathic vets are fully qualified veterinary surgeons who
have elected to take further training and qualification in the use of
homoeopathic medicines. Clearly homoeopathy will not set a broken leg, it
can, however, ameliorate the effects of anaesthetic, improve the rate of
healing and recovery as well as support the animal's emotional state.
Homoeopathy deals with how the disease manifests in the individual. It is as
much concerned with personality type and reaction to diseases symptoms as it
is with the disease itself. Past events such as illness or emotional upset
from which the animal has not really fully recovered can have an impact on
diseases and so are also taken into consideration. Diagnosis is complex and
homoeopathic vets take a careful history to ensure the correct remedy is
prescribed. Treatment is selected on a type of 'flow chart' basis; for
example, from the number of remedies which are used for a particular
condition, the vet will eliminate them one by one according to a number of
factors.
The potency selected, the frequency of treatment and the duration of
treatment will also vary from cases to case. It is not uncommon either for
one remedy to be used for the first stage of treatment followed by a second
remedy for the next stage in the healing process. A classic illustration of
this is the homoeopathic treatment for phantom pregnancy which would involve
the use of Pulsatilla for an animal with a mild, sad or gentle temperament
where the symptoms were worse for heat and Sepia for an animal with an
aggressive or unpredictable temperament where the symptoms were worse for
cold.
The skill in homoeopathic diagnosis almost certainly improves the
observation skills and efficacy of the vet. Owners too, often feel reassured
by the attention paid to their animal during the consultation and it is my
belief that this sensation of caring communicates to both animals and their
owners, further enhancing recovery.
The types of homoeopathic remedies available are not restricted to the
individual remedies available in the High Street. Homoeopathic nosodes can
be prepared from any disease causing organism including myxomatosis,
yersinia and pasteurella multocida. Remedies are also available for specific
allergies such as house dust mite or grass pollen. Recovery after surgery
can be helped using the remedy for mixed anaesthesia. (see also Specific
Remedies).
As a general rule, potencies of 12c and above are used for acute cases,
normally under veterinary supervision and guidance as proper diagnosis and
prescription can be crucial. Chronic conditions are also treated with high
potencies as they are considered to have gone 'deep', and high potencies are
also used when the disease or symptom can be rooted back to previously
unresolved disease. Higher potencies are usually associated on an emotional
level with trauma or deep seated emotions so are used after trauma or
bereavement. Lower potencies are less powerful but broader in their action
and therefore more likely to be of some benefit even if they are slightly
'off target'.
High and low potencies of the same remedy can have different effects, for
example the remedy Hepar Sulph, recommended for abscesses, aids the
discharge of pus at low potency but is used at high potency before pus has
accumulated or the infection come to a head. The same applies to Urtica
Urens (nettle) which depresses milk flow at low potency and stimulates it at
high potency.
Although Hahnemann always suggested that, after the initial dose, subsequent
doses should only be given after its affect had worn off, this is only
possible where symptoms are obvious such as runny nose or eyes for example.
In something less easy to discern, such as pain management, homoeopathic
remedies should be given frequently for sudden onset, acute or severe
cases ) one tablet or drop per hour or more frequently for the first six
doses in an emergency) and less frequently for long standing or chronic
cases (one tablet or drop one to three times per day).
Acute cases or the acute stage of treatment should only last for two or
three days. Chronic cases often require treatment over weeks or even months.
With chronic cases it is not uncommon for the space between doses to
gradually increase so that the condition is maintained on one tablet per day
and then one per week, per month and so on until it is only used if and when
symptoms remerge. In all cases treatment should stop as soon as symptoms
cease.
HOMOEOPATHIC FIRST AID KIT
ACONITE 6c or 30c
A single dose for shock, fear or sudden onset of illness.
ARNICA 6c, 30c or cream
Used for bruising, shock, physical trauma and soft tissue damage.
Useful after a difficult birth where tissues are bruised.
Severe trauma - give frequently until the shock is relieved.
Postoperatively - give on tablet or drop every few hours;
Do not apply Arnica Cream to broken skin.
CALENDULA 6c, mother tincture, ointment, cream.
Improves the healing rate of damaged tissue in open wounds.
Mother tincture can be diluted 1:10 in cooled, previously boiled, water
either on its own or with Hypericum and used as a skin wash.
EUPHRASIA mother tincture
Use 3 drops in 10ml cooled, previously boiled water as an eye wash.
HEPAR SULPH 6c or 30c
Use 30c to help prevent an abscess forming or coming to a head.
Use 6c to help the discharge of pus. (Give three times per day for no more
than 3 days)
Follow up with Silica 6c in difficult cases
HYPERICUM 30c, mother tincture, cream.
Useful for crush injuries to tail or paws. Good for splinters.
Give one tablet three times per day for a few days.
Use mother tincture with calendula mother tincture diluted 1:10 in cooled,
previously boiled water as a skin wash.
SILICA 6c
Particularly useful where a wound contains foreign bodies such as grit,
splinter, dust etc.
Often used to promote healing after other remedies have acted to resolve the
original injury, for example after Hepar Sulph has been used for an abscess.
Give one dose daily for five days.
SPECIFIC HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Skin Problems
ARSEN ALB 6c
Use where the skin is hot, dry and itchy and progresses to open lesions,
cracks and small pustules especially over the back, (mainly the lower back
but also towards the shoulders).
Particularly where the animal has a cold or anxious constitution.
Give one dose two or three times per day until the condition resolves.
GRAPHITES 6c
Use for cracked skin with discharge drying into crusts in skin folds and
corner of the mouth.
Also for nail bed infection of fungal origin.
May be of use in cases of 'bumblefoot' in conjunction with conventional
veterinary treatment.
PSORINUM High Potency
Made from human scabies mite. psorinum can help itchy skin associated with
burrowing or mange mite.
Indicated where the animal is cold. Normally only one dose is given for no
more than three days.
You should always consult your vet if you think your animal has a problem
with burrowing mite.
PULSATILLA 6c
Use where the skin is hot and itchy with discharge and possible bleeding.
Skin is raised, red and shiny.
The animal feels better for being in a cool place and worse for scratching.
Pulsatilla is indicated for shy, quiet, gentle animals.
SULPHUR 6c
A valuable remedy for a range of skin problems whether dry and itchy or wet
and crusty.
Open wounds from scratching are common
Indicated where the skin is hot and worse after bathing; where the skin is
red, smelly and appears dirty.
Sulphur is more effective if used sparingly.
SEPIA 6c
For hair loss from ringworm or other fungal conditions.
Skin appears delicate, cracks easily and is difficult to heal.
Skin lesions are circular in shape whether caused by ringworm or not.
Hormonal loss associated with pregnancy.
Also for hormonal problems in unpredictable or aggressive animals including
phantom pregnancy.
Pregnancy and Lactation
CAULOPHYLLUM 6c or 30c
Eases the dilation of the cervix in the first stage of labour and
strengthens uterine contractions in the second stage.
Eases labour pains and helps in the expulsion of the placenta(s).
Can be given before, during and after labour (6c).
Caulophyllum 30c acts like oxytocin and a single dose can be used if the sow
is in trouble and you cannot get her to the vet quickly enough for an
oxytocin injection or caesarean section.
SABINA 12c
For retained placenta accompanied by profuse haemorrhage of bright red
blood. Also for bleeding after miscarriage.
The animal normally feels worse for movement. Give on dose every four hours
for four doses.
SECALE 12c
For retained placenta accompanied by a brownish, foul smelling discharge.
Give one dose three times daily until improved.
ALFALFA 30c
Useful for does or sows with large litters and little milk.
Give single doses every few hours until lactation is established.
URTICA 6c and 30c
High potency 30c is used to promote milk secretion when milk fails to
appear.
Give single doses every few hours until lactation is established.
Low potency 6c can be used to depress the milk supply where necessary.
BELLADONA 30c
For the early stages of mastitis characterised by warmth, redness, pain and
swelling of the teats which are very sensitive.
The animal feels worse for noise, touch or jarring motion and is better for
quiet, darkness and slight warmth.
Give one dose every two hours until the condition begins to improve.
BRYONIA 6c
Use for mastitis where the glands feel hard, especially if this occurs in
the early, acute stage.
The animal is thirsty, worse for warmth and movement, better for rest.
Can be given with Belladonna if necessary.
PHYTOLACCA 30c
Use for mastitis where the glands are red, hard, knotty and sensitive.
The animal is worse for damp, cold, motion and at night; better when dry and
warm.
Associated with debility and restlessness.
Give one dose four times per day until the condition begins to respond.
If hardening progresses then use Silica 30c.
SILICA 30c
Use for chronic mastitis characterised by hardening and bad milk.
It may be necessary to use Hepar Sulph first if the milk smells like cheese.
Give one dose per day for three days.
Show Fright, Aggression, Anxiety and other emotional problems.
ARGENTUM NITRICUM 30c
Particularly suitable for animals which scour on the way to a show.
Characterised by weakness, trembling and diarrhoea.
BELLADONNA 30c
For rabbits displaying unprovoked aggression to people or surrounding.
GELSEMIUM 6c
Used for animals which become paralysed with fear, trembling and losing
control over muscles resulting in a withdrawn, crouched position.
These animals are particularly sensitive to noise and are timid or shy by
nature. They may also be sensitive to cold and damp conditions.
IGNATIA 6c, 12c, 30c
Given to animals (or humans) who pine after losing a companion, human or
animal.
Valuable for rescued animals and those who are homesick when boarded out.
The animal tends to prefer being on its own and cannot be consoled.
NUX VOMICA 30c
Good for house rabbits who are nervous, grunt a lot and are inclined to
wreck the joint!
PULSATILLA 6c or SEPIA 6c
Pulsatilla is used for false or phantom pregnancy in animals with a sad,
quiet or gentle disposition.
Sepia is associated with the same condition in more aggressive or
unpredictable animals.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE USE OF HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Homoeopathic remedies are available for oral use in either liquid or soft
tablet form. Liquids can be administered in the drinking water but are best
given direct into the mouth. The oral dose is one drop or one tablet. When
giving liquid tinctures in the water bottle you should add 5 - 7 drops as
the actual dose taken will be less.
Tablets should be handled as little as possible. Tablets should be removed
from the container using a clean plastic spoon or tipped into the cap.
Tablets should only be handled directly before administration and any which
have been handled but not used should be thrown away and not put back in the
pot.
Where it is necessary to give more than one remedy you should allow at least
5 minutes between giving one and giving the other. Homoeopathic remedies
should be stored away from sunlight and strong smelling or tasting
substances.
Homoeopathic mother tinctures should not be used undiluted.
DISCLAIMER
The information given in this article is by way of information only and is
not intended as medical advice.
You are advised to consult a veterinary surgeon and advise you vet of any
homoeopathic or other treatment you have given.
We hope this article will give you a better understanding of the role
homoeopathy can play in the complementary veterinary treatment of rabbits
and guinea pigs.