Offering shelter and pet care to lost, injured or feral animals is often accompanied by confusion on the part of the rescuer as to how to help animals adjust to human interaction and unknown environments. Although the information presented here can be used as an adjunct to pet care for any kind of rescue animal, this article will focus on rescue cats and dogs.
Using homeopathic medicine for pet care in all animals has proven to be extremely effective and gentle. Rescue cats and dogs accept treatment readily and the changes in their natures and temperaments are often profound. It’s especially helpful to use homeopathic pet care on young animals to treat them for fear and shock and other common, non-life-threatening conditions when first rescued.
The suggestions offered for homeopathic pet care are not meant to be a substitute for good veterinary medical care for rescue cats and dogs, rather adjunct therapies to assist the animal to settle in after being captured. The information offered in this article is for educational and informational purposes only.
1. The first remedy to give is Arnica when helping a newly rescued cat or dog adjust to receiving pet care. Arnica also known as Arnica Montana is primarily used for injuries, bruises, bleeding and trauma on all levels. Bringing a cat or dog in who may have been abandoned, injured, half starved, overheated or half frozen comprises various aspects of shock and trauma. Give Arnica several times over the first two days along with other pet care provided depending on the severity of symptoms. See my accompanying article on how to dose animals with homeopathic remedies.
2. Also administer several doses of Aconite for fear. Any animal rescued will be fearful of new circumstances and if feral will surely be terrified of humans. Once captured, pet care for these animals should initially be aimed at reducing fear, shock, treating minor injuries and helping the cat or dog adjust to its new surroundings. Aconite should be part of a solid pet care plan and can also be given several times a day in the first few days to help the rescue cat or dog feel safer and more comfortable.
If a rescued animal is severely injured give low potencies of Arnica and Aconite alternating every 5-10 minutes and take the cat or dog to a veterinary hospital for treatment. The homeopathic remedies administered during early stages of pet care will help the animal recover more readily from the injury and endure surgery if necessary.
3. Remove fleas and ticks and check for ear mites if the cat or dog can be handled. Flea removal is always a challenge in any pet care routine and I’ve offered some suggestions in my articles on natural flea and tick control. See below for resources. If unsure how to remove ticks, leave this for someone more experienced or a vet.
If the animal is a rescue kitten or puppy, fleas may be able to be removed with tweezers especially from the head and face where it is more difficult to use a flea comb. For any cat or dog that will let itself be handled, pull a fine tooth flea comb through the fur repeatedly. Have a bowl of soapy water mixed with a little alcohol or vinegar near by and as fleas are pulled from the coat place the comb, fur and all, quickly into the water to drown them.
4. Administer homeopathic Pulex during pet care treatments to help reduce allergic reactions to flea bites and strengthen the cat or dog’s system against experiencing any onslaught of fleas.
5. Use homeopathic Belladonna in your pet care regime if a rescue cat or dog tries to bite or snaps while being handled. Repeat remedy several times for a day or two to remove the inclination to bite. Homeopathic Belladonna helps to remove side effects and stop biting in an animal who has been given a rabies vaccine during a catch and release pet care program or an abandoned cat or dog who was vaccinated. If an animal is actually showing active rabies symptoms do not attempt to handle and if accidentally bitten by what appears to be a rabid animal, seek medical help immediately.
Belladonna can also be included in pet care after an animal has been adopted and vaccinated by a vet. To reduce any possible side effects from the vaccine give Belladonna three times a day for three days starting one week after receiving the vaccine. See resource section for my article on how to recognize side effects and symptoms of rabies in pets.
6. Administer homeopathic remedies during pet care in one of several ways. If the rescue cat or dog will let you handle it, mix the remedy as I have described in my article on dosing pets with homeopathic remedies and place directly into the mouth with a dropper or syringe or dribble a little on it’s front paws. If the rescue animal won’t allow itself to be handled put a few drops of remedy directly into the water bowl or on a small amount of food at first and after the cat eats it, give additional food. Stay present to be sure the remedy is ingested.
See my article on How to Administer Homeopathic Remedies to Animals for specific directions for dosing your animals with remedies.
Tips
- Homeopathic remedies for pet care and treatment of rescue animals can be found at local health stores or online through reputable homeopathic pharmacies. See resources below for recommendations
- Do not attempt to handle or administer any pet care to any animal that appears to have rabies. Contact animal control for proper pet care provisions. If bitten by an animal that is exhibiting rabies symptoms get medical help immediately.
- Homeopathic remedy kit for veterinary pet care
- Individual homeopathic remedies:
- Arnica
- Aconite
- Pulex
- Belladonna
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