Homeopathy: Select Homeopathic Remedies to Treat Your Pet

Alphabetical Listing: Presented in this article is a collection of often used homeopathic remedies that may help your pet through some acute and even chronic conditions.

Observe and Record: Become observant of your pet's behavior, symptoms, likes and dislikes, general disposition and how s/he relates to others so you have complete information to give your pet's veterinarian.

Get Professional Help: A professional homeopathic veterinarian is recommended to help you and your pet get through illness. There are thousands of remedies and these are only a handful that may help, but may not be the perfect match for your pet.

How to Give the Remedy: See my previous article, Introduction to Homeopathy and learn the basic laws and principles.

Aconitum napellus: This remedy is given for the acute stages of illness and shock; or inflammation of organ linings during flu and fever with aching muscles, tingling, coldness and numbness. Best given at the beginning stages of illness, when it comes on quickly. Urine is hot and scanty and may contain blood. Pet either perspires profusely or stops perspiration. Complaints are aggravated by lying on painful side with anxiety, fear, and restlessness. Sudden fever after a cold wind. Pet may not want to be touched. Does not like hot weather, especially in gastro-intestinal disturbances or other illness. Feels better in open air; but worse in warm room, in the evening and night, lying on affected side, from music, from smoke, dry, cold winds.

Allium cepa: Caustic nasal discharge and laryngeal symptoms with bland eye discharge. Burning in nose, mouth, throat, bladder and skin. Worse in warm room and toward evening; better in open air is presented like in aconite and also in a cold room while feeling worse in the evening in warm room. Apathetic disposition during colds and damp cold weather. Neuralgic pains especially after amputation or injury to nerves.

Antimonium crudum: Noted eczema remedy for thick, cracked skin in those with tendency to indigestion. Sensitive and sentimental, they crave sour foods like pickles and vinegar, and may be overweight. They may be shy and irritable, and definitely do not want to be touched or watched. Itching is worse from warmth and sun exposure. Addresses skin infections with blisters or sores on the face, neck, hands, and genital area; plantar warts, and calluses, and eczema.

Apis mellifica: Specific for inflammations, edema of skin and mucous membranes after bee stings or insect bites. Swelling is red, and feels stinging with soreness that is better with cold application. Much worse with heat, touch, pressure, and in the afternoon, or in closed heated room. Worse on the right side. Good for cellulitis inflammation and infection of lymph network with symptoms of hot, bright red skin and edema, also inflammation of other organs such as kidney, brain, heart and tissues lining. Stiffness, better in open air, uncovering, and cold bathing. This pet is thirstless with the inflammations.

Arnica: Most well known and used remedy for any injury. Dark brick colored sediment in urine. Painful urination. Pet will whine that it doesn't want to be touched.

Arsenicum album: For smelly diarrhea that may be due to food poisoning with vomiting, restlessness and chilliness that is better with heat and company. Particularly for restless, anxious perfectionists that like things clean and neat. They are worse in cold weather, sensitive to pain and complain most often between midnight and 2am. Choose this for conditions that burn, like dry, itchy skin. Scratching makes itching worse, and applying heat soothes. Indigestion also has burning pain. You may observe the animal hang their head over the water bowl without drinking. They act hungry but don’t eat much. You may find the pet under the covers or near a heat vent. Urinary tract infections or kidney failure.

Arum triphyllum: Allergic skin eruptions especially around the mouth. The chin may look chapped and feel hot and irritated with cracked raw lips and nostrils. Sore throat irritation and hoarseness.

Aurum metallicum: Pets that love to work can easily become depressed. Feel better by walking outdoors. Destructive infections of the blood, swollen glands, and nightly bone pains and destruction of bone tissues, heart palpitations and congestions. Excess fluid and inflammation in the abdominal cavity. Great sadness. Increase in sensitivity to sexual stimuli. Arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure; nightly paroxysms of pain behind sternum. Sclerosis of liver, arterial system, brain. Lovelorn with listlessness; worse in cold weather with problems coming in winter and/or from sunset to sunrise.

Belladonna - Emergency use for sudden fever with heat and swelling. Useful remedy when urine is scanty, dark and cloudy, with lots of phosphate stones or when the region over bladder is sensitive. Also used in the treatment of blood in urine. Very sensitive to pain.

Berberis vulgaris - Used in the treatment of patients who complain of sensation of some urine remaining after urination, or in those whose urine contains mucus with sediments. Also used in the treatment of bubbling sensation in kidneys, pain in loins and thighs during urination, marked soreness in lumbar region. With pain radiating to the groin

Bryonia: Known for the symptom of irritability and pain upon even the slightest movement, especially with broken bones. Laying still and rest alleviates pains and aching muscles. Chest colds, flu, pneumonia. Rheumatic pains and swelling. Stools large, hard and dry. Worse for pressure, except better laying on the painful or injured side. Extremely thirsty for large cold droughts of water. Much worse in warm room or hot weather, grumpy in the morning and when eating. So weak cannot sit up and .

Calcium carbonicum: May be shy and introverted, strong, and dependable industrious work horses. Easily tired from overwork, they become anxious and withdrawn and overwhelmed. Often feel chilly, clammy extremities, sweaty head, move slowly, with sluggish metabolism, overweight, and have a hard time sleeping at night, especially when away from home. Used for dark brown colored urine that may be bloody or with white sediments. Desires sweets and eggs.

Calendula: Antiseptic Action. Use this as a topical gel, cream, lotion or spray to soothe irritated easily infected skin. Can be taken by pellet for internal and external inflammation and to prevent infection. Emergency care for the skin.

Cantharis - Any kind of burn or burning sensation that comes on quickly and strong. For skin, linings of organs including inflamed urinary and bowel systems. May have bowel movement every time animal urinates.

Chamomilla: For teething and colic complaints, especially of young. Cranky, angry disposition that only quiets when pet is held and picked up. Diarrhea green and loose. Observe heat, sweating, thirst and irritability to noise and other senses. They are worse with open air, at night and very sensitive to pain.

China officinalis: Fever alternating with chills, and diarrhea, and extreme weakness from any kind of body fluid loss. Sensitive to drafts. Often used in chronic conditions such as gout. Chronic inflammation of the pelvis or kidney. Post operative gas pains that gives no relief from passing it. They feel better after eating, in doubled up position, with hard pressure, open air and warmth. Worse slightest touch.

Chininum Arsenicosum: When you see a combination of the China and arsenicum symptoms this may be indicated. There is an extreme loss of body fluids plus perfectionist behavior and desire for neat clean surroundings.

Chininum Sulphuricum: When you see a combination of the China and sulphur symptoms this may be indicated. There is an extreme loss of body fluids plus disheveled scruffy look with great thirst.

Chininum Muriaticum: When you see combination of China and Natrum Mur symptoms this may be indicated. Loss of fluids plus loss of friend - grief.

Coffea: Treats anxiety, over-excitement, sleeplessness, and sensitive to pain.

Colocynthus - Pain and burning having bowel movement, with desire to bend over double. Hard red crystals in urine with painful urination that spreads to abdomen with desire to bend over double to relieve pain.

Eucalyptus: May be helpful with kidney inflammation that accompanies an infection elsewhere in the body. Mucus or pus in the urine. Gas. May have desire for exercise.

Ferrum phos: For unexplained fevers. Helps strengthen the blood. Usually given at the beginning of colds or infection. Nosebleeds and sore throat.

Graphites: Addresses obesity and chronic tough leathery skin with cracks and soreness usually found behind the ears, around the mouth, or extremities with a yellow oozing discharge that hardens into crusts. Itching is worse from getting warm in bed, and the person will often scratch the irritated places till they bleed.

Hepar sulphuris calcareum: Irritable, snappy and sensitive to cold air. Good for eczema with soreness and infection. The skin on extremities become chapped and deeply cracked with slow healing. Low resistance to all infections.

Ignatia amara: Best remedy for acute grief and loss of loved one. Mood swings and outbursts of emotion. May feel a lump in the throat but oddly want to swallow food to make it feel better. Frequent yawning.

Kali Phosphoricum: Extroverts who become exhausted from overwork and then become shy. Easily startled by noise. With their change in mood they may develop muscle weakness, yellow discharges and wake early very hungry.

Lachesis muta: Displays an animal-like suspicious nature with depression. Appears jealous, as when a new pet enters the home. They do not like to be confined and are quite talkative. Good for menopause, worse in the morning upon waking and suffers with hot flashes.

Lycopodium - Primarily useful in healing right sided complaints. Pet is emaciated from above downwards. The discomforts come on around 4:00 - 8:00 in afternoon and evening. Specific for kidney disorders with red sand in urine and retention of urine. Excellent for colds, flu and asthma and pets that bully other animals.

Mercury: Inflammations, abcess and ulcurs of mouth and gums with bad breath, salivation, constantly moving from colder to warmer areas, straining with diarrhea, irritability and desire to be left alone.

Mezereum: Pets desire fatty food and get upset stomach. Great anxiety remedy and desire for open air. Intensely itching eruptions begin as blisters, then ooze and form thick crusts. Scratching leads to thickened skin. Cold applications may help the itch.

Natrium carbonicum: Gentle, unselfish devoted to family and friends. Depressed after a loss or disappointment. Weak digestive tracts makes this a colic remedy, especially when they have trouble with dairy products. When feeling sick they want to be alone and listen to melancholy music.

Natrium muraticum: When grief from loss is chronic and pets don’t want consolation as they hold in their feelings leading to depression. They appear uncomplaining and controlled. They need to be alone and love music. If you can tell that your pet suffers from headaches and gets tired out from being in the sun, this may help. These pets are very thirsty, love or hate salt, appear independent.

Nitric acid - Used for renal colic that appears to give sharp, piercing pains like splinters to animal. Urine is scanty, dark, offensive and smelling like horse urine and may contain albumin.

Nitri Spiritus Dulcis: Kidney inflammation and failure, especially after getting a cold from stormy weather and fever. Apathy, vomiting and rapid breathing. Difficulty waking pet.

Nux vomica: Whenever there is toxic situation to assist effects of overusing drugs. Strong desire to vomit or have bowel movement, but can’t. Occurs when animal scrounges in garbage for food or overeats. Irritability. Useful in kidney failure with vomiting.

Petroleum: Extremely dry easily infected skin that cracks, especially on fingertips and palms. Eczema worse in winter, with deep, sore cracks that often bleed. Itching worse at night and from warmth of bed. The skin may become tough and leathery from chronic irritation.

Phosphorus: Desires salt. Sudden, forceful diarrhea, thirsty for cold water. Emaciation, jaundice, sensitive to thunderstorms, light, sound, odors and touch. Known to help stop bleeding. Excellent pneumonia, cold and flu remedy when congestion drops into chest.

Phosphoric acid: Depression, listless, breathing difficulties and great debility, especially at night with perspiration. Better keeping warm and being talked to. Craves juice and cold milk. Rings around eyes. Diabetes with frequent urination.

Picric Acid: Pet appears weak and easily exhausted, and difficulty moving limbs as if they are extremely heavy. Kidneys no longer produce urine.

Podophyllum: Colic and vomiting. Diarrhea gushing, forceful with jellylike watery, offensive smelling, and mucous filled stool that are painless, Worse, in early morning, in hot weather, and when teething.

Pulsatilla nigricans: Changeable emotions, moody and clingy. Tearful and desire consolation and to be held and petted. Good for after giving birth to help with blue moods and menopause. Desires sweet foods and can easily put on weight. Desires fresh air with window open or be outside, diarrhea which changes every time there is a bowel movement. Most important signal is this animal is not thirsty and likes to lie on cool surfaces.

Rhus toxicodendron: Rashes with blister-like eruptions look red and swollen, itch intensely, and are soothed by hot applications. Restless especially at night, anxious and irritable comes on after wet rainy weather. Muscle stiffness, relieved by warmth and motion . They crave cold milk.

Sabadilla: Hayfever, with sneezing, dripping of fluid from nasal passages. Chilly and sensitive to the cold. Diarrhea with cutting pain. Desires warm food, warm drink, to be wrapped up and is worse at a full moon. May be indicated for worms and thickened deformed nails.

Sarsaparilla - Very good remedy that helps during renal colic. Urine is scanty, sandy, often blood tinged. Urine dribbles on sitting. Animal yelps or whines in pain before urination. Pain seems to radiate into legs.

Sepia: Worn out, tired, irritable from caring for family. Especially irritable toward family members. Postnatal depression, loss of libido and menopausal symptoms, accompanied by a sagging in the pelvic area. Nausea, vomiting especially when pregnant, with loss of appetite.

Sambucus nigra: Wakes up suffocating with congestion during colds and flu. Deep, hollow sounding cough with fever. Snuffles and difficulty breathing. Can take a breath in but difficulty exhaling.

Serum Anguille: This remedy comes from eel serum. It may be very useful when kidneys shut down, and helps circulatory systems of the body. There is no observable swelling with the inflammatory disease.

Silica: Given after vaccination for chilly patients with large head and abdomen, and nutritional imbalances that end in fatigue, anxiety, neuralgia and depression. Nervous stubborn or yielding natured animals. Helps eliminate splinters. May have bone caries, necrosis and helps reabsorb fibrotic scar-tissue, and heal abscesses, Useful for one-sided inflammation, infection and abscess of tonsils related to sore throat caused by bacteria They hate the cold and want to warm extremities by the heat vents during winter, and prefer to be wrapped up. Can be adversely affected by new moon, morning hours, from washing, uncovering, lying down, damp, lying on left side. They like summer, warm, wet or humid weather.

Staphysagria: When pet appears happy, submissive and mild-mannered, but there is underlying anger about a situation. This anger may erupt under pressure, when another animal is taunting and irritating. The pet may show a high sex drive. Chronic dental problems. Styes. May like the smell of tobacco. Trembling and exhaustion.

Sulphur: Intense burning, itching, and inflamed eruptions that are worse from warmth and worse from bathing suggest a need for this remedy. Affected areas may be red, with scaling or crusted skin. Eruptions can be either dry or moist. Mood may be listless. Appearance disheveled. Temperament usually friendly and easy going. Very thirsty.

Thuja Occidentalis: Assists the skin heal from warts and other growths, especially after vaccination. Antibacterial action for gunky, smelly discharges. Addresses arthritic discomforts, like tearing in muscles and joints and feeling lame. Worse when resting, at night in bed, 3AM, and in damp humid weather and moonlight, while better in dry weather. Good for problems on the left side, when there is rapid exhaustion and loss of weight, and neuralgia.

Verbascum thapsus: A natural expectorant for bronchitis with irritating cough and sneezing. Dribbling urination. Teeth pain worse biting. Ear infection.