Homeopathy in The World of Veterinary Science

Homeopathy in The World of Veterinary Science

Veterinary science or veterinary medicine, a system of sciences concerned with the diseases of animals, ways of increasing their productivity, and methods of protecting human beings from zoonoses. It also includes the various state and social measures aimed at protecting the animals’ health and preventing diseases from striking human beings. As a system of sciences, it embraces anatomy (normal and pathological), histology, microbiology, parasitology, virology, clinical diagnosis, special pathology and therapeutics, veterinary sanitation, pharmacology, toxicology, surgery, obstetrics – gynaecology (with artificial insemination), zoo hygiene, immunology, epizootiology, veterinary-sanitary appraisal, and so on.

Large animal health has seen a change towards more commercial than sentimental. Hence, its approach differs from human health, and the economic background of the farmer plays a key role in the large animal treatment. That is the reason behind the easy availability of large animals for slaughter because poor livestock farmers cannot afford costly conventional treatment.

Whereas, small animal health like dogs & cats or to say pet health has lot more emotional ties. Pet parents need to know the side effects of the conventional medicines being used by their pet doctor. Knowing about the alternative options, mainly homeopathy, is very important.

Homeopathy is one such best option which is available without any side effects or contraindications and always with best results even in conditions where every other line of treatment fails and which lies within our budget. Homeopathy is potentially of value in any condition, regardless of prognosis from a conventional medical perspective. Homeopathy is useful as an adjunct therapy to manage post-operative pain and to speed healing after injuries. Some aspects of homeopathy, such as homeopathic first aid for self-limiting conditions, can be readily taught to lay people.

History of Veterinary Homoeopathy 

Samuel Hahnemann wanted to give a lecture about the ‘Homeopathic healing art of animals,’ and it is supposed that he held this lecture on one of the meetings of Economic Society of Leipzig- though we have no definite knowledge about this, and Lux thus got first-hand knowledge about the treatment of animals. Dr. Hahnemann said, “if the laws of nature that i proclaimed are true, then can be applied in all life beings.”  

In circa 1813, in Leipzig, Hahnemann lectured on the use of homoeopathy in animals (at the Leipziger Ökonomischen Gesellschaft, of which he was a member). The manuscript for this lecture was written by Samuel Hahnemann between 1811 and 1821 and is held in the Universitätsbibliothek, Leipzig. He stated that the principles and application in animals were broadly like those in humans. Veterinary homeopathy has developed ever since. Boenninghausen and Lux were early proponents.

Johann Joseph Wilhelm Lux (1773 – 1849) had contact with Hahnemann, while in Leipzig. Both were members of the Leipziger Ökonomischen Gesellschaft, to which Hahnemann gave the first lecture on the homeopathic treatment of animals. He was part of the historic continuity of veterinary homeopathy, from 1813 but later branched into ‘Isopathy’.

In December, 1831, Lux was asked if he knew any homoeopathic remedies for the treatment of bovine plague and anthrax. Lux replied that he could not suggest any remedies off hand but he offered the following suggestion. He told the person to take a drop of blood of an animal infected with anthrax, and a drop of the nasal mucous of a cow with the plague, and prepare a 30c potency of the material. Lux offered the suggestion for the treatment of bovine plague and anthrax by taking a drop of blood of an animal infected with anthrax, and a drop of the nasal mucous of a cow with the plague, and preparing a 30c potency of the material. During the epidemic in 1832 many veterinarians relied on the complementary use of the nosodes and standard remedies to treat the animals under their care.

During the epidemic in 1832 many veterinarians relied on the complementary use of the nosodes and standard remedies to treat the animals under their care. On December 24, 1835, Jolly of Constantinople reported to Hahnemann that Russian doctors had cured a number of cases of bubonic plague with a 30c nosode prepared from the serous exudation of plague buboes.

Clemens Maria Franz Baron von Boenninghausen (1785 – 1864) used homoeopathy on animals and, in fact, homoeopathically treated the animals on his own vast Westphalian estate. An early advocate of high potencies, he conducted a successful prospective trial of 200C in domestic animals and livestock, reasoning that veterinary homeopathy was a good way to demonstrate that it was not a placebo.

Boericke quoted in the preface of Materia Medica “Homeopathy is essentially not only many-sided but all-sided. The action of all substances, whether articles of diet, beverages, condiments, drugs or poisons their action on the healthy, the sick, animals and plants is investigated. It advocates the ancient saying, ‘Prove all things; hold fast that which is good’ that acts universally.”

After Herring’s introduction of the nosodes, Johann Joseph Wilhelm Lux, began to conduct experiments with the isopathic use of disease materials in potencies. 

Early homeopaths treated both human and animal patients, and numerous case reports of treatment in dogs, horses, and cattle have been preserved in the works of these pioneers. Veterinarians in the nineteenth century used homeopathic texts that were specifically developed for their profession, as well as information from their medical colleagues. In the latter years of the nineteenth century, homeopathy began to decline in popularity with the development of the pharmaceutical industry.

Homeopathy has been undergoing resurgence since the middle of the twentieth century, and has become popular again as a form of veterinary medicine in the past twenty to thirty years as animal owners and veterinarians alike explore it as a way beyond the limitations of conventional medicine. Formal training courses are offered and lead to certification status for successful veterinarians.

Behavioural Changes in some Animals while they are Sick 

DOGS

 

1. Hiding: 

● Sick dogs may begin to hide under beds, in closets or in other confined spaces. 

● This is usually to do with a dog’s fear of being hurt more if it is injured or its desire to rest and heal away from stress.

2. Aggressive behaviour: 

● Sudden aggression can be alarming. 

● If a dog goes from a happy, carefree pup one day to an irritable, snapping animal the next, this should be a red flag. 

● If the aggressive behaviour lasts longer than a day with no cause to be found, should consider taking it to a vet. 

3. Lethargy or excessive sleepiness: 

● If a dog is usually active and suddenly begins walking around or playing a lot less than it used to, or if it suddenly starts sleeping most of the day, it might be tired from fighting an illness one cannot see.

4. Changes in appetite: 

● Longer-term changes in appetite can be indicative of a problem. 

● If your pup refuses to eat, it might be suffering from a disease or GI tract issue. 

● Underfed dogs can lose excessive weight and get even more sick. 

● If a dog goes from eating one cup of food per meal to suddenly wanting more and more, it might have a disease or worms changing its appetite. 

● The same goes for water intake—if a dog is suddenly lapping up water constantly, a health problem may be to blame.

5. Potty Problems: 

● Dog goes urinating or defecate inside the house, rather than outside. 

● If your dog is urinating inside, determine whether it is marking, urinating out of defiance or if it seems to be an accident. 

● Urinary tract infections, cystitis (bladder inflammation), bladder stones, kidney disease, or arthritis or age-related incontinence could all be causes of house soiling in dogs. 

● Diarrhoea or other intestinal illnesses may not be able to make it outside fast enough. 

● Other signs include difficulty using the bathroom or straining to go.

6. Increased Vocalizations: 

● May begin vocalizing much more than you are used to. This may be in the form of barking, whining, whimpering or “talking”. 

● Whining and whimpering are most likely signs of illness, since they indicate distress, fear, and pain. 

7. Changes in mood: 

● begins acting strangely all day, every day, something might be wrong with its health. For example, a normally independent dog might become extremely clingy and distressed when not given attention, while a cuddly, sweet dog might act irritable or defiant and will not want to be touched at all.

CATS 

1. Aggressive Behaviour Changes: 

● Some cats have a stronger prey-drive and will act out aggressively towards toys, children, other pets, or even you. This aggressive behaviour is a natural and often normal thing a prey-driven cat will have, if it does not have another outlet to hunt and catch. 

● A cat that is not normally prey-driven and is hissing, swatting, biting, and overall aggressive towards other pets and/or people is probably trying to tell you something. 

● Pain and fear are often the reasons for a cat to have a behaviour change those results in aggression. Pain may be elicited from a recent surgery, a trauma-inducing accident such as a tail getting stuck in a door, old surgeries such as declawing or other amputation, dental disease, or illness.

2. Changes in Eating Behaviour: 

● Cats are creatures of habit. 

● If your cat’s speed of eating or the amount of food consumed changes drastically, then it may be an indication of a problem. 

● If your cat is eating more food than they used to and not gaining weight, you may want to ask your veterinarian about hyperthyroidism. 

● If your cat starts to eat less or stops eating altogether, it is a good indication that it is not feeling well, has dental disease, or is stressed. 

● Your cat is not eating and is also vomiting, lethargic, and/or losing weight, you should have your veterinarian check them out.

3. Playing Behaviour Changes: 

● Some cats are naturally more playful than others and, just like people, they have individual personalities. 

● A cat that does not feel well or is in pain may not want to jump around and chase toys. 

4. Hiding Behaviour Changes: 

● Cats that do not feel well or are scared are likely to hide, and some people even feel that a cat that goes off on their own may sense that the end of its life is near. 

● Fear is usually the driving force behind why a cat hides though, and it often follows a stressful or traumatic event.

5. Elimination Behaviour Changes: 

● Possibly the number one reason for cats to be relinquished, euthanized, and abandoned is an elimination problem. 

● Behaviour changes in the urination and defecation habits of your cat are most often related to stress, fear, or a lack of appropriate, clean, litter box options. 

● They may also be trying to tell you that they do not feel well and that they have a urinary tract infection or pain from a digestive tract problem. 

● If you notice abnormally large clumps of litter from urine, spots of blood in the litter box, no or very little clumps of litter from urine, or your cat is straining, crying, or eliminating outside of the litter box, you should not hesitate to bring them into the veterinarian. 

● Male cats can become unable to urinate and this creates a life-threatening issue in a short amount of time.

6. Scratching Behaviour Changes: 

● if your cat suddenly starts scratching more, especially in one spot, it could be an indication that they are stressed. 

● Scratching is a form of marking and it leaves a cat’s scent on the item. The drive to scratch and mark is natural but if a cat is stressed it will be exacerbated. 

7. Sleeping Behaviour Changes: 

● Cats who are not feeling well may sleep more than usual.

8. Grooming Behaviour Changes: 

● Cats that stop grooming or have a major decrease in self-grooming are oftentimes ill 

● Sore joints and muscles are also a contributing factor in grooming. Cats that have osteoarthritis or injuries may not be able to reach certain areas to groom that they used to be able to reach. 

9. Vocalization Behaviour Changes: 

● Crying and yowling are indications of distress, confusion, fear, or pain. 

● If your cat starts vocalizing more at night, it may be due to cognitive dysfunction. 

● If they start vocalizing by hissing or growling, it is most likely due to pain or fear.

HENS AND PET BIRDS

1. Reduced Activity and Lethargy:

● When birds are sick, they often become noticeably less active. 

● Hens may spend more time sitting quietly in one place, showing little interest in their surroundings or usual activities such as foraging or pecking. 

● Pet birds might perch in a fluffed-up posture, conserving energy and exhibiting a subdued demeanour.

2. Changes in feeding Behaviour:

● Illness can affect a bird’s appetite. 

● Hens may eat less or show disinterest in food altogether. 

● Similarly, pet birds might refuse favourite treats or appear hesitant to approach their food bowls. 

● Changes in eating patterns, such as picking at food rather than consuming it eagerly, can indicate underlying health issues.

3. Altered Vocalizations:

● Healthy hens and pet birds are often vocal, expressing themselves through chirps, squawks, or clucks.

● When unwell, they may vocalize less frequently or in a different tone. 

● Some birds become unusually quiet, while others might produce distress calls or sounds indicative of discomfort.

4. Withdrawal from Flock or Human Interaction:

● Social animals by nature, hens and pet birds typically enjoy companionship with their flock mates or human caregivers. 

● When sick, they may withdraw from social interactions, preferring solitude. Hens might isolate themselves from the flock, seeking a quiet corner in the coop. 

● Similarly, pet birds may avoid handling or interaction with their owners, preferring to rest undisturbed.

5. Changes in Posture and Movements:

● Observing a bird’s posture and movements can provide valuable clues about their health. 

● Sick hens might stand with a hunched posture or exhibit difficulty walking. 

● Pet birds may sit with feathers fluffed out, which can indicate they are trying to conserve body heat or are feeling unwell. 

● Any signs of lameness, unsteady movements, or difficulty flying warrant immediate attention.

6. Increased Sleeping or Resting:

● While birds do rest and sleep regularly, sick individuals may spend more time than usual sleeping or resting. 

● Hens might roost more frequently during the day, while pet birds may nap more often and for longer durations. 

● Excessive sleepiness or lethargy should be monitored closely, as it can be a sign of illness.

7. Visible Signs of Discomfort:

● Birds experiencing discomfort due to illness may exhibit behaviours such as frequent scratching, shaking of the head, or unusual body movements. 

● Hens may peck at their feathers excessively or appear restless. 

● Pet birds might exhibit repetitive behaviours like head bobbing or wing flapping, which can indicate distress.

8. Changes in grooming Habits:

● Healthy birds typically maintain meticulous grooming habits. 

● Sick hens may neglect preening their feathers, leading to a dishevelled appearance.

● Pet birds might exhibit changes in feather condition, such as feather plucking or unkempt plumage. 

● Any signs of abnormal grooming should prompt a closer examination of their health.

HORSES

 

1. Diminished or absent appetite: “A change in appetite, whether for grain or hay or both, is a big indicator to me that something isn’t quite right,” says Davis. “Whereas he used to take 15 minutes to clean up his bucket of concentrates, now it might take 45 minutes with some breaks to walk around a bit. Or he will not eat hay as vigorously and will get picky about it.” 

● Appetite changes could indicate gastrointestinal upsets such as colic. In fact, waning interest in food can signal a wide variety of internal illnesses beyond the GI system.

2. Lethargy, uncharacteristic calm or inactivity, and separation from the group: “A sick horse might stand off by himself and stay quiet,” Bevevino says. “By quiet, I mean he’ll hang his head a little lower, hold his ears a little less perked up than usual, and not have his eyes quite as wide and bright as usual.” 

● A horse that is lethargic and stays separate from the group might be showing early signs of sickness.

3. Unusual Behaviour: 

● When caregivers pay attention to their horses and observe what is normal for each, they’ll pick up more easily on what’s not normal. 

4. Weight loss and change in body condition: 

● Muscle atrophy coincides with illness primarily due to protein metabolism issues.

5. Change in bowel habits: 

● Short-lived changes might be normal, resulting from stressful events such as separation from other horses or transport. 

● Changes that last hours or days could represent parasite burdens, reactions to antibiotics, or other gastrointestinal issues. 

● In severe episodes horses’ bodies might absorb bacterial byproducts in the intestines and develop a serious condition called endotoxemia, which often requires management using intravenous fluids and anti-inflammatories.

6. A gut feeling something is wrong: “Horses are tough and tend to mask the severity of their disease, but a lot of times they can’t fool a really in-tune handler.” Dr. Kari Bevevino 

● Sometimes your intuition is the earliest indication of illness. You know your horse, and something is telling you he is feeling “off.”

COWS 

1. Daily behavioural patterns:

● According to a study “Alterations in sick dairy cows’ daily behavioural patterns”, Dairy cows show behaviour alterations according to the definition of sickness behaviour when challenged by any kind of common production disease. 

● Even if some contradictories are present, resting behaviour is generally prolonged, while physical activity and general feeding behaviour is impaired.

2. Activity and feeding behaviour pattern: 

● Hypocalcemia- Increased Standing duration, Increased Lying duration, Decreased Feeding duration.

● Ketosis- Increased Standing duration, Decreased Physical activity, Decreased Feed intake, Decreased Feeding bouts, Decreased Feeding duration, Decreased Rumination duration.

● Mastitis- Increased Standing duration, Decreased Lying duration, Increased Physical activity, Increased Restlessness, Decreased Feed intake, Increased Feeding duration, Decreased Rumination duration.

● In general, metabolic disorders influence activity behaviour as total lying time is increased and physical activity is decreased.

● Depressed Cow- Droopy ears, Lowered head, Separation from herd, Decreased Activity.

Diet for Sick Animals 

When animals are seriously ill, they are without appetite. 

Food should be one-half, one-third or fourth of the usual quantity, which is nourishing, easily digested and generally relaxing. 

DOGS 

Only stale bread and milk is allowed in urgent cases, but little or no meat, and no salted or spiced food in any case. 

At least half an hour should intervene after taking a dose of medicine before the animal should be fed as the system is more susceptible then than any other time 

To evacuate the bowels- injections of water, soap and water, or salt and water are always allowable, and may often be used with great benefit.

CATS

Encourage your cat to eat small, frequent meals of a palatable, high energy, highly digestible food. 

Warming food to body temperature often makes it more appealing. 

Some sick cats can be encouraged to eat more by hand feeding.

HENS

Provide a small amount of high-quality layer pellets or mash specifically formulated for laying hens. These pellets/mash should be easily digestible and contain essential nutrients. Offer approximately 1/4 to 1/2 cup per day, depending on the size and condition of the hen.

Cooked rice or oats can be beneficial for sick hens as they are gentle on the digestive system and provide easily accessible energy. Serve a small portion (1-2 tablespoons) of cooked rice or oats once or twice a day.

Fresh vegetables such as leafy greens (e.g., spinach, kale), grated carrots, or cooked sweet potatoes can provide vitamins and minerals. Offer a small amount of chopped vegetables (about 1-2 tablespoons) daily.

Adding probiotics to their diet can support digestive health and help maintain beneficial gut bacteria.

Ensure clean, fresh water is always available. Sick hens may drink more or less than usual, so monitor water intake closely.

PET BIRDS

Offer a high-quality, nutritionally balanced pellet bird food formulated for the specific species of your pet bird. Pellets should be softened with a small amount of water to make them easier to eat if necessary.

Cooked whole grains such as rice, quinoa, or millet can provide carbohydrates and nutrients. Serve a small portion (1-2 teaspoons) of cooked grains, cooled to room temperature.

Offer small amounts of fresh fruits such as apple slices, berries, or melon. Remove seeds and pits as necessary. Limit sugary fruits and acidic fruits like citrus, which may be too harsh on a sick bird’s digestive system.

Fresh leafy greens (e.g., spinach, kale), grated carrots, and steamed broccoli or peas can provide vitamins and minerals. Offer a small amount of chopped vegetables (about 1-2 teaspoons) daily.

Appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements tailored to your bird’s species and condition.

Ensure your bird stays hydrated. Offer clean, fresh water in a shallow dish or water bottle, and monitor their drinking habits closely.

HORSES

Sudden changes to any horse’s diet should be avoided and this is never more the case than when you have a sick or injured horse on hand. 

If your horse was on a primarily forage diet (mainly pasture, hay or chaff) prior to the sickness or injury, you should attempt to maintain the horse on a largely forage diet. 

Likewise, if your horse was being hard fed, you can continue to hard feed the horse, but do not suddenly introduce hard feeds to a horse that was not on them previously, and unless there is a good medical reason (for example in the case of laminitis) you should not just suddenly stop feeding hard feeds or quickly switch to a new feed.

A sick or injured horse needs to have its calorie intake carefully managed. There are two main situations you need to be aware of:
● A horse with an injury that is confined to box rest – The best diet for these horses is free choice moderate to good quality grass hay, a low dose rate vitamin and mineral supplement, salt lick and water.
● A horse with a sickness or severe injury (including burns) – they need to be fed a diet with adequate calories and protein to allow them to maintain their bodyweight or gain bodyweight where required. Feeds such as lucerne hay, grass hay and good quality sweet feeds or pellets/cubes may be needed for the horse to maintain weight.

COWS

High-Quality Hay: Offer good quality hay that is clean, free from mold, and easily digestible. Examples include alfalfa hay or grass hay that is not overly mature.

Grain Mix: Provide a small amount of easily digestible grains such as oats or barley. The amount will depend on the cow’s condition and energy requirements.

Mineral Supplements: Ensure access to a mineral supplement or a mineral block specifically formulated for cattle to meet their nutritional needs.

Fluids: Ensure access to clean, fresh water always. Electrolyte solutions may be necessary if the cow is dehydrated or has lost electrolytes due to illness.

Palatability: Monitor the cow’s appetite and offer palatable feed. Sick cows may have reduced appetite, so offering smaller, more frequent meals can help encourage eating.

Administration of Homoeopathic Medicines to Animals 

Homoeopathic medicines can be used internally and externally. 

Internal Use: For optimum results, these medicines should be internally administered preferably 15 to 30 minutes prior to or after the feeding schedule. 

1. Mother tincture: For large animals, like cattle and horse, 10 drops of tincture should be mixed with clean cold water and be drenched by bottles. The bottle should be cleaned before it is used for other animals. Five drops of tinctures are used for small animals, e.g., sheep, goat, swine, and dogs. 

2. Powder or pills: Triturates or pellets may be placed dry on the tongue of the animal or it may be mixed with feed and given to animals. The powders are given at a dose rate of two grains to large animals and one grain to small animals.

3. Potentiated dilutions: Potentised dilutions are administered by using vehicles, like globules, pellets, or disks, which can be soaked with the dilutions and kept in labelled bottles. The globules can be drenched or fed to sick animals along with food. The medicines should be kept away from light and heat, so that the potency of these medicines can be retained for months and even years. When the medicated globules are directly placed on the tongue, these get dissolved in saliva and the drug is absorbed. It is not necessary to swallow a homoeopathic medicine. Homoeopathic drugs have an advantage over allopathic drugs in that these can be absorbed through the palate or tongue. Initially it may look tedious but a little practice will make the attendants proficient in administration of homoeopathic drugs to animals. If a large number of animals in the herd are to be treated, the remedies may also be added in drinking water, also for this purpose tinctures or triturated powders can be mixed with feed. This technique is usually followed in dairy and poultry farms for the purpose of prevention of disease on the herd or flock. Remedies may also be administered by injections, provided that certain safeguards and precautions are observed, for example, sterilization of syringe, etc.

Bohninghausen was an early advocate of high potencies; he conducted a successful prospective trial of 200C in domestic animals and livestock.

External Use: Very few homoeopathic medicines are used in the form of lotions and ointment. Lotions are prepared by mixing one tablespoonful of mother tincture with half a pint of pure water for external use.

Quick Guiding Symptoms of Materia Medica:

Aconite: Feverish with dry and red mouth, tongue is swollen and painful. First stage of mouth and foot disease with shivering, loss of appetite, and quick pulse. Arrests early stages of sore throat in a large number of cases. 

• Ammonium Causticum: Speedily cures windy colic in all animals. Early stages when the balance of circulation is disturbed and blood begins to stagnate in the spleen. Distention of abdomen due to obstruction of gullet or colic or Hove soon after eating. Dull appearance, quick breathing as the swelling increases the breathing becomes laboured, back is arched, tongue thrust and eyeballs protrude. Simple congestion of the lungs. Cases that begin with languor, coldness of legs, ears and nose; rough staring coat. Onset of disease when the animal shivers and trembles; breathing difficult and laboured, skin and horns cold. 
• Antimonium Crudum: Stomach pain in horses with restlessness and wind rising above from the stomach.
• Antimonium Tartaricum: Best remedy to begin with in cases where the mouth is covered with white pustules. Anthrax. In mouth and foot disease cases when Mercurius has been used without much benefit. Relieves cases of Crammed stomach in dogs. Copious discharge of mucus with loose cough, distressed breathing, and loud rattling. 
• Areca catechu: For the cases of tapeworms in dogs. 
• Argentum Nitricum: Convulsive seizures when comes on during distemper. 
• Arnica: Inflammation of oral mucosa resulted from injuries. Can be applied locally. Protrusion of tongue from injuries. Disease follows a difficult labour and assistance has been employed by the hand or instruments. 
• Arsenic Alb : Great remedy when gangrene threatens. Drowsy and prostrated. Blain, when the ulcer assumes a livid tint with low fever, cold sweat breaks out and debility supervenes. Canker. Eruptive stages of mouth and foot disease especially when unhealthy ulcerations threaten; purging, shedding of hoofs. Weak unthrifty horses or cattle which eat little or nothing, coughs frequently after eating or drinking. Vomiting is incessant and painful, thirst in unquenchable, pulse small and weak, legs cold and countenance expressive of anxiety in dogs. Scanty urine. Wheezing and difficult breathing, offensive discharge from the nose. Maggot infestation in sheep. Tendency for the skin to slough in patches and when diarrhoea or prostration sets in. 
• Aurum Muriaticum: If the dog has been saturated with Mercurius and if there is disease of the bone. Caries of the nasal bone. 
• Baryta Carb: In cases of Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus where Nux vomica or Phosphoric Acid fails.
• Belladonna: Feverish and suffering with much pain in teeth. Gums are tender to touch. When the last remedy fails to improve after a month’s course, think of belladonna as the remedy of choice. In addition to the mouth and foot disease, the udder is severely inflamed, red, tender, and swollen. Cases of mumps with inflamed and swollen glands. Later stages of sore throat when inflammation is more firmly established with tenderness and swelling of glands and throat externally; difficulty swallowing causing fluid to return by the nose or by discharge of stringy saliva. Dry irritating cough. Crammed stomach causing severe distention of the abdomen in cattle or horses. Horses and cattle presenting with symptoms of Mad staggers. Epilepsy due to irritation of teething.
• Borax: Can be applied locally in cases of otitis. 
• Bryonia: Confined bowels, scanty urine. Anxious, hurried breathing. Acute cases which are brought on by sudden changes of temperature or by exposure to cold when the body is heated. Any rheumatic or pleuritic elements exists. Short grunting breathing. Pain on touch in the intercostal spaces, friction sounds heard on auscultation of the affected side. Rattling in the windpipe and in the air-tubes in the lungs. Frequent dry irritating cough discharge of thick phlegm. 
• Calcarea Carb: Teeth slow in growth because of nutritional deficiencies. Fits connected with teething it then appears to expedite the appearance of teeth. Warts. 
• Calendula: For open cuts and wounds, ulcers, or removal of foreign bodies. Can be applied locally. Sores can be dressed in tincture during mouth and foot disease if affected.
• Camphora: Antidote when the disease arises from abuse of Cantharis. 
• Cantharis: Urine scanty and discharged in small quantities with urging efforts and mixed with blood. 
• Carbo Veg: Flatulence, purging, distention of stomach and bowels in dogs. Fluid rises from the stomach into the mouth. 
• Chamomilla: Derangement of stomach and colic as denoted by vomiting of sour fluid and indications of abdominal pain, preceding the fit. 
• Chelidonium Majus; Distension from wind, dark urine, costive bowels, coated tongue, yellow eyes, whitish stools. 
• Cina: Good results in cases of round worms or maw worms. 
• Cinchona: Mucous membrane of the mouth is pallid; the appetite is impaired and the strength is reduced in dogs with signs of spleen enlargement. Recurrence of liver issues with enlargement of spleen. 
• Colchicum: When belladonna fails in cases of Crammed stomach in cattle or horses. 
• Colocynthis: Severe pain causing the animal to roll about violently resulting from eating green food. Belly distended with gases and when wind and watery slimy motions discharged by the bowel. 
• Crocus Sativis: Dark coloured discharge in cases of metritis. 
• Cuprum met: Attacks are caused by disease of the great nervous centres. 
• Digitalis: Intermittent frequent pulse; evacuations dry, and ash-coloured; urine thick and brown; pain in the side.
• Drosera: Chronic cough when hoarse and hollow. 
• Euphrasia: Copious secretion and flow of tears and great intolerance of light.
• Ferrum Met: Cases of indigestion in horses or cattle when Arsenic fails. 
• Ferrum Sulphuricum: Cases of intestinal worms in all animals. Tapeworms in cattle, sheep, and pigs. Horse bot or gad-fly stomach infection in horses. Removal of liver flukes or fluke-worm or distoma herpaticum from cattle and sheep. 
• Glycerine: Can be applied locally around the top of hoofs and in the interdigital spaces during mouth and foot disease.
• Hepar Sulph: Coating of the tongue. Formation of ulcers in the mouth. Inflammatory disease of the mouth from use of mercury internally or externally. Discharging otitis in dogs. 
• Hydrastis Canadensis: Copious discharge from both nostrils adhering like glue. Submaxillary glands enlarged, rough harsh, unhealthy coat; low in condition and feeble. Bowels costive, urine high coloured. Pulse fast and feeble and low appetite.  

• Hydrocyanicum Acid: Convulsive, muscles are hard and firmly contracted. 
• Ignatia: Convulsive movements of the limbs, eyes, eyelids, or muscles of the face; aggravated by fright. 

• Iodium: In cases of Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus where Nux vomica or Phosphoric Acid fails.
• Ipecacuanha: Evacuations consist chiefly of slimy mucus with or without admixture with flakes of lymph discharge.
• Kali Bichromicum: More suitable when the nose is principally involved during mouth and foot disease. Collection of discharge appears in different parts of the body. Phlegm is tough, thick, stringy, and sticky. Tongue is covered with yellow fur. 
• Kali Chloricum: First line for cases of Oral Thrush. Great value in cases of Blain and Canker. Can be applied locally around the top of hoofs and in the interdigital spaces during mouth and foot disease.
• Kali Iodide: Abuse of Calomel or mercury internally. 
• Kreosote: Cough accompanies indigestion. 
• Mercurius: Acute unchecked inflamed, hard, swollen and ulcered tongue. Great dribbling and difficulty in swallowing. Redness and rawness of the mouth. In cases where there is no improvement in oral thrush after Kali Chlor. Inflammatory disease of the mouth from eating grass containing mustard. Ranula. Blain. When eruptions break out on the udder and in the mouth during mouth and foot disease. When no remedy gives relief in cases of sore throat. Deranged liver as well as stomach in dogs with signs of icterus. Vomit consists of biliary matter; thirst is insatiable and the tongue is foul smelling in dogs. 
• Mercurius Biniodatus Kum Kali: Advanced stages of anthrax. Tongue and mouth covered with angry ulcers from pustules bursting when they are reddish and with offensive discharge. Swelling of the neck and throat with difficulty in swallowing. Cases of mumps with inflamed and swollen glands.
• Mercurius Corrosivus: Severe straining; protrusion of the end of the bowel; discharge of pure blood or of slimy mucus mixed with blood, and of hardened excrement; frequent urgings to relieve the bowel; symptoms of belly-ache before, during and after each action. Secretion of mucus with sticking together of the lids, and when the cornea is hazy. Red injected appearance of the eye.
• Nux Vomica: Protrusion of tongue due to symptoms of paralysis. Palsy of one side of the tongue resulting from great debility of the tongue. Tongue lolling out of the mouth with inclination towards one side (healthy side). Tongue dry and hard due to continuous exposure to air. Weakness of digestion due to disease of the gullet. Relapsing Hove due to weak digestion or disease of the third stomach in cattle. Depraved, fastidious, changeable appetite; confined bowels; dung is hard lumpy and glazed on the surface with mucus, tongue is furry and slimy. Dogs refuse to eat or vomit what they eat and their bowels are confined. Diseases traceable to bad food, such as mow-burnt hay or kiln-dried oats. Frequent urging to pass urine with indications of colicky pains. 
• Opium: Horses and cattle presenting with symptoms of Sleepy staggers. Breathing is loud noisy, and heavy. Insensibility is profound. Horse is drowsy, sleepy, and hanging his head; pulse is slow, rattling in throat. 
• Petroleum: Fistulous opening in the inner corner of the eye communicating with the lacrimal sac forming a mucocele in dogs.
• Podophyllin: In cases of liver and spleen diseases where Mercurius fails to do good or has been given in large doses.
• Phosphorus: Inflammation of lung. Second stage when the lung is solidified. Breathing is laboured and distressed. Reddish or yellowish discharge is coughed up. 
• Phosphoric Acid: Urine is largely increased and the animal is weak and wasted. Excessive, slimy, or watery diarrhoea, foetid, purulent discharge from the nose and general prostration. Last stages of mouth and foot disease. Follows Mercurius and Colocynthis if the discharge of blood continues. 
• Pulsatilla: Retained placenta or portion of the after-birth has been left in the uterus. As soon as rash appears in cases of measles with hoarse cough and running nose and eyes. 
• Rhus Toxicodendron: Paralysis is the result of sprain or over-reach as in jumping. Can be applied locally in cases of sprains and strains. Animals appear to have lost the muscular power of the legs and when the muscles of the back are principally affected. Stiffness on moving and when the lameness is less after exercise. 
• Ruta: Can be applied locally in cases of sprains and strains.
• Secale Cor: In cases of retained placenta where Pulsatilla fails particularly in cattle. 
• Silicea: Caries in tooth causing disease of the contiguous bone. Swollen painful jaw joint with a glairy discharge consisting of joint oil after injuries; leading to stiffness of the jaw joint. Troublesome ulcers remain and the surface is too slow in healing. 
• Stannum Met: Spasm of the diaphragm. 
• Sulphurous Acid: Can be applied locally to nullify bad breath and to destroy contagious discharge and to avert gangrene and the tendency to sloughing. Camp Measles. Local application for chapped teats.
• Terebinthina: Blood passed alone or mixed with urine. Forcing efforts to pass it, attended with pain. 
• Thuja: Can be used internal and external in cases of warts. Mallenders. 
• Zincum Met: Half closed eyes, dilated pupils; drowsiness amounting almost to unconsciousness, weak pulse, laboured impeded respiration and cold extremities. 

Bibliography:

1. James Moore, Handbook of Veterinary Homeopathy, Lane Library.
2. B. P. Madrewar and Matthew Glencross, Therapeutics of Veterinary Homeopathy and Repertory, B. Jain Publishers.
3. J. Russell Greig and George Boddie, Hoare’s Veterinary Materia Medica and Therapeutics, Bailliere Tindall Cox.
4. F. Humphreys, Manual of Veterinary Specific Homeopathy, Cor William Ann Streets.
5. John Rush, The Hand Book to Veterinary Homeopathy, B. Jain Publishers.

About the Author:

Dr. Sagar Kansara has completed his M.D. Homeopathy in Paediatrics and has been practicing since October 2018. He was affiliated with Smt. CMP Hom. Medical College as an Assistant Professor in the subject Physiology including biochemistry. Currently pursuing his Clinical practice in Varanasi.

Dr Shraddha Kansara has completed her M.D. Homeopathy in Homeopathic Pharmacy from Bakson Homeopathic Medical college and Hospital. She has worked as an Assistant Chemist at M.D. HOMOEO LAB PVT. LTD., GHAZIPUR. Currently pursuing Clinical Practice at Varanasi.