Ear Mites – A Dr Pitcairn solution which works very well is three quarters of an ounce of almond oil, a quarter of an ounce of olive oil mixed with 400 iu of vitamin E (at body temperature). This should be massaged in the ear canal and excess oil should be removed gently with a cotton bud. The treatment should be given on alternate days over a six day period. After three days he then advises a herbal infusion of rumex crispus every three days for three to four weeks. A sulphur or Corpore Sano anti-parasite shampoo may also be a good idea if you suspect the mites are outside the ear as well.
Pat McKay in her book Reigning Cats and Dogs recommends cleaning the ear with a solution which is 50 per cent witch hazel and 50 per cent water.
Homoeopathically: Malandrium may help ear mites and calendula diluted 1/10 in water. Aconitum and hepar sulph are good for inflammation of the middle ear, and merc cor or rhus tox should be given in the case of severe ear infection.
Epilepsy and Fits – Epilepsy is more common in dogs than cats ( though I do have a Tonkinese cat that gets an epileptic fit if he is put in a cat carrier). The most likely cause is a head injury or it may be inherited. Some vets now suspect vaccination. Mark Elliott and Dr Bruce Fogle, the Canadian/British vet, say the latest veterinary thinking is that vaccinations may be only necessary every three years. They should never be given if an illness is already suspected. This does present a problem with dog kennels, as legislation at present demands that dogs boarded there have annual vaccinations. Always seek veterinary advice. My poodle Noddy had fits as a puppy. We were advised to lock him in a dark cupboard until they passed so that he did himself a minimum amount of injury. Diet is important in epilepsy and a hypoallergenic diet should be followed as colourants or allergies may trigger a fit. Only the purest foods like chicken and rice should be given, alternated with vegetables. A vitamin B complex – which is excellent for nerves – and vitamin C and zinc will also help. My golden Retriever, Ben, developed a large lump on his head and started to have fits in his ninth year. We sought veterinary advice but as it proved to be a tumour and eventually the fits became intolerable for him, we had to have him put down. On the occasions when I have had to have my dogs put to sleep I have always fed them their favourite treats and ask for a pre-med injection – that way they hardly notice the needle going in a pass away serenely.
Homoeopathically: Belladonna and stamonium are probably the first remedies to try particularly when the animals have dilated pupils and try to escape from their surroundings. For chronic persistent cases ignatia may be of benefit. George MacLeod recommends cocculus 6c as a remedy which can be used long term and may prevent seizures. He also suggests nat sulph, opium and tarantula hispanica.
Herbally: Skullcap and valerian are calming remedies for shattered nerves and Bach’s Rescue Remedy can also help bring an animal round and calms its fear.
Essential Oils – Essential fatty acids are increasingly being recognised as an important part of a dog’s diet. They are essential for cell membranes and cell function throughout the body. Omega-3 essential fatty acids have beneficial effects on cardiovascular function, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions including eczema, dry skin or poor coat mental deterioration and nerve problems. Omega-6 (borage oil) can help skin conditions, hair loss, fatigue, anaemia, kidney degeneration, liver problems and arthritis. When spirulina or chlorella are added to the oils they help to boost the immune system and detoxify the liver, blood and bowels from chemicals and heavy metals.
Eyes – As a general cleanser a quarter of a teaspoon of salt in a quarter of a pint of bottled water is an easily made solution. For a herbal eyedrop infusion Diane Stein recommends cineraria, rue, sage tea or celandine and the floral essences crab apple, camphor or hawthorn for cleansing. Cucumber juice is also very soothing for sore eyes.
If there are cataracts, this condition may be due to nutritional deficiencies, in particular a lack of vitamin C, the B complex, vitamins A, D and E, selenium and zinc.
Richard Pitcairn particularly advocates putting a drop of eucalyptus honey in eyes with cataracts twice a day for several weeks and reports that this procedure has resulted in cataract reductions and cures.
Homoeopathically: Calc fluor or natrum mur 30c may help with recently formed cataracts and silicea 200c us useful with established cataracts. Ledum palustre or symphytum 30c should be used when there are eye injuries and euphrasia officinalis is good when there are scratches or superficial cuts.
Alexandra Bastedo is the founder of the abc animal sanctuary on www.abcanimalsanctuary.co.uk , She is also the author of “The Healthy Dog” and “The Healthy Cat” books available from the website shop in return for a donation to the sanctuary.
She is one of the originators with the homeopathic vet, Mark Elliott, of Pet Nutrition Concepts at www.petnutrition.co.uk which produces high quality vitamin and mineral formulas for dogs and cats,
Copyright Alexandra Bastedo.
