PERITONITIS
This can be a fatal condition and you should demand instant veterinary attention as well as blood tests and X-rays. When Kipling, my young Doberman, was ill the hair stood up on his back, he had an uncomfortable hunched walk, he stopped eating and finally I saw blood in his motions. His condition was mis-diagnosed for seven days. “It’s gastro-enteritis” was the vets verdict one day, then “It’s an enlarged prostate.” When he died on the operating table a week later the vet said “If we’d got the diagnosis right on the first day he’d still be here.” That was little comfort, so act quickly.
Homoeopathically: Cantharis, carduus mar and tub bov cold be beneficial. Arsenicum, album 6c would be appropriate if the dog was restless, cold and drinking a lot. Mercurius sulphuricus could help if there was trouble with breathing.
FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS:
Having experienced the disease first hand with Byron the British Shorthaired Tip we rescued at the age of 10 I can mercifully say that the outlook need not be as gloomy as some vets or indeed some books would suggest. However what I did find out was that antibiotics had little or no effect. Byron had 3 courses of different ones and always the disease returned.
He had fluid on the lungs and a distended abdomen. However with my “nothing to lose “philosophy when dealing with a particularly fatal disease I reached for every complementary medicine at my disposal in liquid, powder, capsule and tablet together with his food and water. I gave him home cooked food consisting of chicken, turkey or rabbit with a little broccoli, cabbage and beetroot mixed in and chicken liver twice a week.
After food Byron who was a large cat had Vitamin C 500 mg twice daily, vitamin E 50 iu once a day, half a teaspoon of cod liver oil daily, zinc 15 mg once daily, kelp, B complex daily, selenium 50 mg daily,and digestive enzymes -half a teaspoon.
Homeopathically: Cantharis, Carduus Mar, Lycopodium, Merc Sulph, Tub Bov or Arsen Alb may be appropriate.
Herbally: Slippery Elm, nettles,echinacea, and organic garlic.
According to Dr. Richard Pitcairn the FIP virus can sometimes be triggered by the feline leukaemia vaccination. A flea infestation might not help either as it could cause anaemia..
POISONING
Potential dangers are everywhere but the most common cause seems to be weed killer for lawns. Try not to use toxic weed killers yourself and ask your neighbours to let you know when they are spraying so you can keep your pet in.
Other harmful poisons are some disinfectants and some plants, also woodworm and dry rot treatments. Some decorative plants are a problem, other hazards are insecticides and antifreeze (which is sweet to drink), bits of string and electric cables are other hazards.
If you need to induce vomiting you can place salt on the back of the tongue.
Anti-pollution vitamins and minerals are A, C, calcium, selenium, zinc and kelp.
Homoeopathically: Give nux vom, or for particularly toxic substances arsenicum album.
Herbally: Slipperly elm and aloe vera may be helpful.
Alexandra is the founder of the ABC Animal Sanctuary on www.abcanimalsanctuary.co.uk We are all volunteers and are most grateful for any adoptions of animals or any donations. We have a Paypal button and a PO Box number on the website. Alexandra has also written “Beware Dobermanns, Donkeys and Ducks” and the veterinary recommended “The Healthy Dog” and “The Healthy Cat” books. A few remaining copies are available from our web site shop.
Copyright Alexandra Bastedo
