Holly's Holistic Advice

Homeopathic philosophy

I am fascinated by the whole concept of homeopathy and how it works. Friends of mine have found it very successful in treating a variety of problems in their pets. Can you explain a little about its development and history?

Homeopathy is a holistic form of medicine - in that it takes account of the mind as well as the body in relation to health and disease. It was first used by Hippocrates and the ancient Greeks (450 BC), but it wasn't until the eighteenth century that a German physician called Dr Samuel Haneman (1755-1843) discovered the principles behind homeopathy. He formed it into a specialised medical system based on the theory of 'like cures like' as the word 'homeo-pathy', means similar-suffering. It is an energy based medical system that acts to stimulate the body's own innate self-healing mechanisms to re-balance and restore health. Under the guidance of a veterinary homeopath (VetMFHom) a wide range of complaints in animals can be successfully treated.

A Westie with skin trouble

My five-year-old West Highland white terrier has very poor skin. He scratches constantly and makes himself very red and sore. I think my vet and I have tried everything possible using conventional veterinary medicine. Each time we've tried a new approach, it has worked for a while then we've gone back to square one. Are there any complementary treatments we could try?

Homeopathy can be a very valuable form of treatment for ongoing problems that don't seem to be resolving with conventional approaches. This is because it is a holistic therapy that takes into account the mental and emotional aspects of the problem as well as the physical symptoms, and thus approaches the patient in a different way. Homeopathically speaking, skin conditions are an important symptom, and highlight that there is an imbalance within the body that needs to be treated. This imbalance may be due a number of different reasons varying from the emotional (such as grief) to the physical (such as the sensitivities to washing powders, grasses or pollens).

As I'm sure you know, Westies can be especially prone to skin complaints that are often challenging to treat. You will require a detailed consultation and evaluation from an experienced homeopathic vet who will prescribe a series of homeopathic remedies to address the root cause of why your dog is itchy, and thus help to alleviate the symptoms. It will take time and commitment to resolve this problem and may also involve addressing dietary as well as environmental and lifestyle aspects too.

Homeopathic treatment of false pregnancies?

Is there a homeopathic approach to treating phantom pregnancies in bitches?

False or phantom pregnancies occur due to hormonal imbalances about six to nine weeks after their season. They are more commonly seen in bitches that have not had a litter. The symptoms range from barely perceptible changes in behaviour (such as mild anxiety or depression) to a full imitation of the pregnant state - including nesting, mothering and the production of varying amounts of milk. It may persist for a few days to several weeks. False pregnancy is believed to be a remnant of pack behaviour, as a way of preparing non-alpha females for assisting the alpha bitch with the rearing of her litter. Thus a false pregnancy may be considered as a natural, but no longer useful, part of the female cycle.

A homeopathic approach to such a condition will help re-adjust and 'normalise' the body's response to the hormonal cycle and in doing this it will alleviate the symptoms. There are several homeopathic remedies that can be beneficial in the treatment of false pregnancy; the successful use of each depends upon both the disposition of the bitch and on the other symptoms she may be showing. If your bitch does have another false pregnancy do get her checked by your vet first, as the diagnosis should be confirmed before you give her homeopathic remedies - this is very important.

Cystitis in cats?

My five year old male neutered cat Jim is prone to recurrent cystitis - is there any homeopathic remedy that we could use to stop this happening?

This is a very typical question from my Your Cat postbag, as so many cats suffer from this painful and recurring condition. There are several 'natural' approaches to addressing this complaint - however do remember that it is a potentially serious and very painful condition and may require immediate veterinary treatment. It is also important to have a urine sample checked by the vets to test for underlying causes of ongoing cystitis.

Holistic measures to help prevent Cystitis, (and the related condition known as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease or FLUTD), include feeding a natural 'wet' diet and ensuring a high volume of water intake (make sure you have several full water bowls all over the house, and several litter trays). Homeopathic remedies used in the treatment of this condition include Cantharis, the most commonly used cystitis remedy. However there are numerous other remedies, which may be prescribed by a homeopathic vet depending on your cat's individual symptoms. These include Staphysagria, Berberis and Sarsaparilla. Nutritional supplements containing Glucosamine, (which is a building block for the bladder wall), are another important supportive measure for those cats that are prone to cystitis. Probiotics and high levels of vitamin C are also often recommended to speed recovery from and aid in prevention of cystitis.