A SMALL MATERIA MEDICA

Here you will find a list of several remedies commonly used for acute and first aid conditions. This section is intended to supplement the information provided on the first aid section, so you become familiar with the remedies. You can use them with your animal companion in non-severe cases or as an aid until you reach your emergency veterinarian. They should never substitute veterinary care when needed.

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 Aconitum napellus - very beneficial when used at the onset of any disturbance: best in the very early stages of acute presentations like infections and inflammations with the characteristics of extreme restlessness and fear. Indicated for fear and anxiety from fright, Aconitum symptoms are sudden: it suits healthy animals whose complaints come on suddenly, and they often occur after a change in the weather - cold winds or dry, cold weather: it is useful in the early stages of fevers, inflammations, etc. which possible causes are cold or dry wind , fright or shock. Symptoms might include staring eyes, panting, trembling, pacing or circling. Animal presents dry, hot skin and is usually thirsty for cold drinks. Symptoms are worse in the evening - around midnight. Better for fresh air; worse for touch.

 Apis mellifica ­ For most insect bites and stings, especially if there is remarkable swelling and pain. Also useful in some burns (first degree burns), allergic reactions such as angioneurotic edema, and acute cystitis (should be distiguished from Cantharis). Symptoms should generally fit the following picture: Edematous swellings (puffing up) , skin red and shiny (but more pinkish, not bright red like Belladonna), burning and stinging pains, restlessness, thirstlessness, soreness, intolerance of heat and the slightest touch. Any disorder where there is serous inflammation: Eyelids swollen and red, inflamed, acute inflammation of kidneys; swollen joints with the skin tight and shiny red. For bee stings where the area is hot, shiny, swollen and painful. Very useful at the start of elbow hygroma or bursitis in the dog. Better for cold applications; Worse for heat, and around 4-6pm.

Argentum nitricum - In people it's mostly used for fear of flying. They may have a fear of failure when having to perform in public, thus, it is particularly suitable for animals which scour on the way to a show (should be distinguished from Lycopodium which also has fear of appearing in public). Characterised by weakness, trembling and diarrhea. Indicated for fear and anxiety from excitement. Better for open air, and walking fast; Worse in crowds, and for eating sweets (gets diarrhea).

Arnica montana - It's the main remedy for accidents and shock. It should be a first choice after most accidents and injuries. Given early it will reduce swelling, pain and bruising. A very characteristic symptom calling for Arnica along with the history of trauma, is that the animal has an aversion to being touched because of the pain and may want to be left alone: he growls, or shrieks, or withdraws as you draw near (distinguish from a dog that is cowering and seems terrified of you, then Aconitum should be used.) It's the classic response of someone in shock. Also for any trauma in the distant past: any condition as a result of falls, blows, injuries. Also for conditions where there is or might be sepsis, like septicemia, as it is a preventative of pus infection. It should be used before and after any surgery, and in pregnant bitches or queens before and after giving birth. It can also be used externally on recent injuries where the skin remains intact in cream, ointment or tincture form: if used in the Mother Tincture (Ø) form, it should be diluted 1 to 10 with distilled water. Better for lying down, with head low; Worse for lying on injured part.

Arsenicum album - Remedy mostly used for food poisoning, and also other types of neurological poisoning. Characterised by great physical prostration with mental restlessness. Does not want to be left alone, debility, exhaustion, restlessness and anxiety, changing places constantly or moving limbs and body all the time when lying down, great exhaustion after the slightest exertion. Fear, fright and worry. Pains and discharges are burning, yet the patient feels chilly and all symptoms, except headache, are better for heat: wants warmth, even lying up against radiators and stoves. . Thirsty for frequent sips of usually hot drinks. Also vomiting and diarrhoea together, so it is a remedy to think of in cases of parvovirus and other similar infections in adition to the food poisonings. Better for warmth and early hours of the morning; Worse at night: midnight - 3am.

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) - It's a major remedy for very high fevers: fever that is violent and sudden in onset. It is associated with hot, red skin, staring eyes, excited mental state, restless sleep, convulsive movements, dryness of mouth and throat and a great thirst but aversion to water: The inflamed area or entire patient is burning, red and hot; the eyes are glassy and the pupils dilated; and the onset of complaints is sudden. It is one of the remedies useful for treating fitting. Pains are violent and throbbing. Rapid pulse. The animal is angry and may be delirious: dogs may attack without warning or provocation, get overwrought into an excitable, anxious state, or have fits of raging, biting and tearing at things. A remedy that should be considered in heat stroke. Better for lying down; Worse for noise, touch, jarring movement, and in the afternoon: around 3pm.

Bryonia alba - Remedy mainly for dry, painful coughs and some type of injuries like sprains, conditions where the main modality is worse for movement. There's also dryness of all mucous membranes and great thirst for large amounts at long intervals (opposite of Arsenicum.) Animal lies absolutely still, not even turning its head or moving a muscle when the condition is really bad, and is reluctant to move when the problem is less severe: all symptoms are much worse for the slightest movement. The pains are found everywhere but especially in the chest. Hacking cough with much hawking: it could prove useful for infectious diseases such as Kennel Cough, where the cough is worse for movement and when coming into a warm room. Also used in cases of rheumatism and arthritis with the same modalities. Better for firm pressure, for lying on the painful side or part and for cold; Worse in the evening: around 9pm, after eating cabbage or beans, and in warm weather after cold days.

Calcarea carbonica - This remedy is often needed when growing up or going through major developmental changes: mostly used for skeletal growth problems in the young animal, although it is also used on pregnant bitches to prevent eclampsia. Classically fat, fair and flabby, chilly, and sour-smelling. Slow developers, particularly poor at assimilating their food, which may cause problems in bone and teeth formation: useful in young animals with a problem with calcium assimilation. Crave boiled eggs, aversion to milk. Better for constipation, dry weather; Worse getting cold or wet.

Calendula officinalis - This remedy is mainly used externally for healing wounds. Very useful first-aid remedy for cuts, superficial burns or scalds, ulcers..., i.e., injuries where the skin is broken. It stimulates formation of healthy scar tissue (without lumps), speeding healing of any type of open wound. Externally, it can be used in cream, ointment or tincture form: if used in the Mother Tincture (Ø) form, it should be diluted 1 to 10 with distilled water. It can also be given in potency internally during topical treatment to hasten healing, if there is much discomfort or suppuration (distinguish from Hepar Sulphur). Better for warmth, walking or lying absolutely still; Worse for damp dull weather, and in the evening.

Cantharis vesicatoria - This remedy is mainly used for cystitis, burns and stings. Frequently used for the intense pain of burns (second degree burns). Often effective in the treatment of acute cystitis in cats and dogs where there are burning pains before, during and after urination, which is frequent. In any of these ailments, the common symptoms that call for this remedy are: Onset is sudden and violent. Pains are cutting and burning. Animals have a burning, intense thirst, but are worse after drinking. Better for warm applications, warmth, rest; Worse for touch, urinating, drinking cold drinks.

Carbo vegetabilis - This remedy is mainly used for resuscitation: particularly for any case of shock and collapse, no matter what the cause. Long known as "the homoeopathic corpse reviver", this remedy has saved many lives. It particularly affects the circulation, so the animal (body - even breath)is cold to the touch. Symptoms at their most extreme are complete state of collapse due to oxygen starvation. May appear limp, pale or blue. Less severe cases have extreme sluggishness. Many digestive disorders: Abdominal discomfort after eating with tenderness over the stomach area. Flatulent colic: upper abdomen / stomach very bloated. Poor digestion with frequent burping (distinguish from Lycopodium). Better for cool air, being fanned, burping; Worse for warmth, dehydration, before sleep.

Chamomilla - This remedy is mainly known for teething. Characterised by over-sensitivity: the Chamomilla patient is sensitive, irritable, thirsty and hot and is characterised by whining restlessness. All pains are intolerable and appear to be out of all proportion to the illness or injury. Useful in problems occurring around time of teething (skin problems, epilepsy, colic, etc.) and in later life for problems that date back to teething (e.g. the older puppy or adult dog with destructive chewing that started with teething.) Also suited to the bad-tempered animal that suffers from disorders where there's much pain and heat: possible remedy for false pregnancy, mastitis, earache with the ear hot and swollen, puppy strangles and hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD.) Better for being uncovered, when carried; Worse at night: 9pm - midnight.

Cinchona officinalis (China) - This remedy is mainly known for dehydration. Emotionally and physically exhausted, complaints often arise after loss of fluids or severe dehydration: for any dog suffering from weakness or debility, especially in times of hemorrhaging or chronic or prolonged diarrhea, or during any other period of loss of body fluids. Bloated abdomen (both upper and lower parts), but not relieved by burping (distinguish from Carbo veg.) Better for hard pressure, lying down, fasting; Worse for light touch.

Drosera rotundifolia - Excellent cough remedy, often the first choice for Kennel Cough (see also Ant tart & Ipecac), where cough is violent, spasmodic and leads to retching and vomiting or nosebleed, with attacks close together. Sensation of feather in throat: dog behaves as though something is caught in his/her throat. Restlessness. Emotionally stubborn or suspicious. Better from pressure, open air; Worse: lying down, for warmth, towards evening and after midnight.

Gelsemium serpenvirens - This remedy is particularly useful for treating anticipatory fear, such as going to the vets, shows, etc. Fear of thunder. Characterised by paralysis, animal is rooted to the spot with fear. Urinating from fear. Animal trembles, has aching muscles and heaviness especially of the head and eyes, so it can prove useful in conditions accompanied by weakness and muscle tremors. Better for urination; Worse from physical exertion.

Hepar sulphuris calcareum (Hepar sulphur) - This remedy is particularly useful in cases of acute suppuration (especially suppuration smelling like old cheese): Remedy for painful, infected wounds. Abscesses, pus filled spots, interdigital cysts, anal gland infections, ear problems where there is suppuration, etc. Characterised by hypersensitivity to everything: pain, touch, cold, noise, exertion. One of the chilliest remedies. Emotionally can be violent and intense. Tendency to form pus. In low potencies it promotes suppuration and in high potencies it aborts the suppurative process, so it should be used carefully where the pus collection is in a closed cavity. Better for heat, warmth, after eating, in damp weather; Worse uncovering, cold.