Feline Health: Natural / Alternative Therapies
HOMEOPATHIC
The term "Homeopathy" comes from the Greek words "Homeos" which means similar or
alike and "Pathos" which means disease or suffering. It is made up of natural
animal, vegetable and mineral substances. It was found by Dr Samual Hahnemann
who was born in 1755 in Meissen, Germany and died in 1843. One day he decided to
perform an experiment on himself in which he ingested China bark a plant extract
which was used then to treat malarial diseases. He contracted the symptoms of
malaria which lasted for hours and was reproduced again by a renewed intake of
China Bark. he therefore concluded "A substance that is effective in the
treatment of a disease, can cause the characteristic symptoms for that disease
in an healthy person". Homeopathic remedies do not cause dangerous side effects
and there is no danger of overdosing.
During the initial treatment it is not unusual to find the symptoms you are
trying to cure become worse, this stage is called the "primary aggravating stage"
this is a good sign as it indicates the substance has simulated the body to
respond. You should then see the next stage take effect which sees the patient
becoming gradually better, if this does not occur then the remedy or dose was
incorrect. Sometimes a remedy may cause a reaction, i.e., cough, nasal discharge
or diarrhoea, these are nothing to worry about they are signs that the body is
trying to reject the poisons and cleansing the system.
View Homeopathic
Remedies
BACH REMEDIES
Bach was developed by a Dr Edward Bach, at the time of his death there were 38
flowers which had medicinal use. Bach flowers can be purchased in an undiluted
formula which is called mother tincture. The most common one which most of you
will have heard of is the Bach Rescue Remedy, this is a special mixture of five
different flowers which are, cherry plum, clematis, impatiens, rock rose and
star of Bethlehem. This remedy is great for shock or trauma in both humans and
animals.
HERBAL MEDICINES
This is another natural remedy based on herbs and plant extracts. You will find
that nearly all herbal remedies you use on yourself can be used on your pet for
the same ailment. It is one of the oldest forms of treatment and is very popular
with the Chinese. Herbal remedies can work on there own or along side
prescription only medication, They can be used in cats and puppies as young as 8
weeks old.
In the UK, all medicines are issued with a license, known as a Manufacturing
Authorization, and can be identified by the letters Vm followed by the
license number on all containers. This means that they have been licensed by the
Government's veterinary medicines licensing authority and are strictly
controlled under the terms and conditions set down in the Medicines Act 1968.
In order to obtain a medicine license a dossier on each product has to be
provided and approved by the licensing authority. This will cover the
specification standard for each ingredient, the method and place of manufacture,
product safety reports and finally clinical evaluation undertaken by veterinary
assessors. Only when a medicine has satisfied all these criteria will it be
licensed for sale.
Provided below is a link to a symptom sorter which will give you some idea
of which natural/alternative treatment is often used to treat particular
conditions/ailments.
Condition -
Treatment Guide
Disclaimer:
The FDA mandates the following disclaimer for all herbal
remedies and information.
According to them, only drugs - not traditional natural remedies - can heal.
You should discuss your cats health options with your vet.
The information contained in this web site is for educational
purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional
veterinary advice. Readers should not use this information for self-diagnosis or
self-treatment on their animal, but should always consult a veterinary
professional regarding any problems and before initiating any major changes to
their animals diet. We will not be liable for any complications or other medical
accidents arising from or in connection with the use of or reliance upon any
information on this web site.
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