Cataracts may be related to diabetes so cut back on any fatty or sweet treats and replace them with raw carrots and apples. Aloe vera juice, blackcurrant oil, beta carotene and vitamin E all help maintain healthy eyes.
Coccidiosis is a disease caused by an intestinal parasite called isospora or by eimeria. There are four types of isospora parasites which affect dogs and are commonly diagnosed in puppies less than one year old. Although species of isospora are found in mature animals, they rarely cause serious problems and most infections will be resolved through self immunisation. The symptoms of coccidiosis are similar to these seen in puppies with giardiasis, namely diarrhoea, dehydration, lethargy, abdominal tenderness and anorexia. A vet should be consulted immediately if you see any sign of these symptoms as the disease can easily be cured if treated early in young puppies. Isospora is diagnosed by examining the dogs’ faeces microscopically. Many dogs will have the isospora parasite but not show any clinical signs of illness and live quite normally. However, they will shed the disease in their faeces and if the faeces are not removed the disease can be spread to the other susceptible canines. It is very important to clean thoroughly and disinfect the areas where your dog has been unwell. It is only the young, weak and immuno-compromised animals that are at risk, as healthy adults do not seem to develop the disease. Isospora is most commonly seen in kennels and multiple dog households. However I did also take in Duchess and her four tiny kittens who were extremely poorly and through stool tests were also found to have Isospora. I used Abidec children’s liquid vitamins in small quantities and a little goats’yogurt with acidophilus and fed them a little scrambled egg and liquidised chicken in cooled boiled water. It took time but eventually they recovered.
Constipation can be due to nerves or more usually to incorrect feeding. Cook pure foods and add oat bran, organic garlic and a little extra virgin olive oil. Powdered stomach enzymes can also be helpful in correcting the balance of different floras in the gut. Organic raw meat and raw green vegetables and fresh fruit given on a regular basis should solve the problem. A touch of raw grated broccoli would be a good start to get things moving. Oils are immediately helpful and on a regular basis oat bran should be added to your pet’s meal. If this doesn’t resolve the problem there could be an obstruction and a vet needs to be consulted. Useful supplements are: vitamins E & C, zinc and wheatgerm oil. A piece of rock sulphur in the water may also help.
Homoeopathically: Aesculus hippocastanum, nux vom, opium, plumbum and silicea are just some of the remedies that may be helpful. George MacLeod recommends alumen where there is also sickness, bryonia for dark hard stools and nat mur for general debilitation. Nux vom can be given for general digestive problems.
Coughs – Vitamin C is most important; at the first cough or sneeze I always give my dogs between 500 and 1000 mg a day depending on the size of my dog. Vitamins A & D or fish oil should be given twice weekly (always be careful not to overdose on A or D). Vitamin E works at its optimum level when combined with fish oil and selenium and zinc are also excellent immune system boosters.
Homoeopathically: Bryonia or rumex crispus may help.
Herbally: The best herbs for coughs are St Johns Wort, Echinacea and peppermint.
Copyright A.L.Bastedo
Alexandra is the founder of the abc animal sanctuary of 150 rescued animals and birds. on www.abcanimalsanctuary.co.uk where her veterinary recommended animal health books are available from the shop. The sanctuary is dependent on adoptions and donations however small to support its work and is most appreciative of your help along with our many volunteers who do all the hard work. You can also obtain vitamins formulated by our homeopathic vet on www.petnutritionconcepts.co.uk
