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Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre - Homeopathy
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Homeopathy
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Homeopathy is a form of holistic therapy
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History Homeopathy
(homoeopathy), a safe, effective and powerful form of medicine, uses the principle discovered and developed by Dr Samuel
Hahnemann, in Saxony. In literal terms, the name means the treatment of disease using a substance which has the power to provoke
similar symptoms when administered to a healthy body. The symptoms that a substance can induce are discovered by means of
‘provings’ - tests on healthy human beings. Hahnemann later developed the extreme dilutions which remain, to this
day, a controversial area of homeopathic practice. In circa 1813, in Leipzig, Hahnemann lectured on the use of his medical
system on animals. He stressed that the principles of homeopathic treatment should be the same as in humans.
Boenninghausen continued to develop veterinary homeopathy, on his extensive estate
in Westphalia. Numerous authors have kept the practice alive until, in modern times in the UK, George Macleod (1912 - 1995)
was a very well-known veterinary homeopath and homeopathic author.
In 1982 the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons (BAHVS) was formed. In 1984, veterinary courses
commenced at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital. In April 1986, the International Association for Veterinary Homœopathy
(IAVH) was founded in Luxembourg. Among other work, this organisation has produced a Veterinary Materia Medica. The first
veterinary qualification in the world (VetMFHom) was awarded by the Faculty of Homeopathy in 1987. That organisation created
the post of Veterinary Dean in 1988, in order to oversee education and examinations in veterinary homeopathy and, in 1991,
the first Veterinary Fellow of the Faculty (VetFFHom) was elected. In 2001, the first examination and qualification in basic
(first-year) homeopathy was established [LFHom(Vet)]. It was also the year of the emergence of the first veterinary repertory.
There is now therefore a thriving UK homeopathic vet community and an equally healthy international homeopathic vet community.
Evolution of Veterinary Homeopathy
From its very small beginnings, homeopathy was developed very
extensively by Hahnemann. It did not stop developing, with Hahnemann's death, however. So-called 'classical homeopathy',
developed around the notion of giving a single remedy, based on the totality of signs. Using multiple remedies (called 'complexes'),
often with a 'clinical indication' also developed widely in Germany and France. Some practitioners like to use low
potencies, some prefer high potencies. At the AVMC, we strive to use the best
of all available methodologies and practices, to suit the individual case presented, rather than to align with any single
practice or philosophy of homeopathic treatment. The welfare of the patient is more important than any particular philosophy
or methodology.
Hahnemann's original ideas on
miasms (applicable in chronic disease analysis) have been massively extended by some authors. The extensive range of medicines
(pharmacopoeia) left by Hahnemann has grown over the years, as has our understanding of it. At the AVMC,
we have developed several new medicines.
The list
now runs into several thousand, making ways of grouping remedies vital to our ability to comprehend and use them to best advantage.
It also helps in analysis of complex cases. The miasmatic approach is of value in this, as is grouping remedies according
to source materials (e.g. Kingdoms, Orders and Families). The teaching of homeopathy has developed accordingly.
While the homeopathy of today is highly developed from Hahnemann's original,
with much greater scope, it has retained its strictly patient-centred approach and is used, to the best of our ability, to
bring the patient back to health as rapidly, gently and completely as possible, according to holistic medicine principles.
Practical Application
Homeopathy has been used in animals for at least 190 years. All types
of animals respond, from pets to farm animals, from horses to wild animals, from birds to fish. Organic farmers rely upon homeopathic
medicine as an effective, safe medicine which does not give rise to drug residues in meat, milk or eggs. Conventional
farmers also make use of its benefits. Among its other benefits, of especial importance in farmed animals, is the fact that
it cannot provoke 'antibiotic resistance' in bacterial populations. Furthermore, competition horses and dogs can be
given homeopathy, without risk of falling foul of competition ‘doping’ rules. While the use of veterinary homeopathy
can clearly enhance physical appearance and performance, by improving health, it cannot produce 'supernormal' performance,
in the way that a drug can.
Homeopathic medicines are selected
according to their ability to stimulate natural healing processes. The body dictates the reaction. Sometimes, usually heralding
a good response, there may be a temporary 'therapeutic aggravation' of local or superficial symptoms.
The homeopathic consultation process is more complex than the usual veterinary consultation. It can take a long time, depending upon the complaint
from which the patient suffers. It involves the homeopathic vet in discovering a great deal of information, not just from
clinical examination but also from the owner. Likely questions may include details of background, lifestyle, environment,
demeanour, character, likes, dislikes, fears, diet, household & family details and responses to various external influences.
In individual animals, many chronic
and refractory diseases can respond to homeopathic treratment, where conventional medication may have failed. Injuries and
acute illnesses also respond. In groups, herds or flocks of animals, in-water medication can treat large numbers of animals
safely, easily, cheaply and effectively.
Homeopathy is a gentle yet powerful form of therapy,
without side-effects, which can just as easily treat dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, goats, llamas, cattle, pigs, sheep as such
sensitive species as birds and cage pets, wholly without risk of side effects or idiosyncratic adverse reactions.
Conditions frequently treated are: arthritis, lameness, cruciate rupture, chronic diarrhoea,
atopy, allergy, autoimmune disorders (auto-immune), periodic ophthalmia (moon blindness, moonblindness, recurrent uveitis,
recurrent ophthalmia, ERU), head shaking (headshaking, head-shaking), hip dysplasia, COPD, sweet itch, laminitis, corneal
ulcer, elbow dysplasia, RAO, DJD, OCD, bone cysts, pasteurellosis (pasteurella), chlamydia, cryptosporidia, pneumonia, meningitis,
mastitis, ringworm, epilepsy, pyoderma, eczema, dermatitis, eosinophilic myositis, eosinophilic granuloma, rodent ulcer, miliary
eczema (miliary dermatitis), kidney problems, liver problems (hepatopathy), cystitis.
Homeopathy, far from being a ‘folksy’ and weird system of esoteric medicine, has ‘gained its spurs’
and its use is increasing rapidly, as people realise what it has to offer, whether as a 'first-aid', ‘first-line’
or 'last resort’ medicine. Skin disease, arthritis, auto-immune disorders, bowel disease, epilepsy, heart
problems and behavioural conditions are frequent callers for the homeopathic vet but many other diseases respond.
Until modern times, little research had
been conducted to establish its effectiveness. This has now been remedied. Research papers are appearing, showing the widespread
benefits of this simple, safe and effective therapy.
Compatibility
Homeopathic medication can be damaged by frost, excessive heat,
sunlight and Aromatherapy. Its effects in the body can be reduced by intercurrent
aromatherapy, steroids (cortisone or corticosteroids) and anti-inflammatory drugs. It is capable of careful and informed integration
with Acupuncture, but these two therapies may clash, if not properly integrated.
The Remedies There are several thousand homeopathic medicines available. With them, homeopathy
is able to treat infectious diseases, chronic diseases, acute diseases, injuries and behavioural disorders. While cancer is
not easily mastered, there are encouraging numbers of recorded cases of complete recovery from some of the worst forms. It
even enjoys widespread use in disease prevention, in place of vaccination. Many homeopathic
medicines lend themselves to first-aid and emergency use. Most of these are easily available in pharmacies and health shops
all over the UK (usually in a 6c potency but also sometimes available in a 30c
potency).
For a list of homeopathic remedies useful in the first-aid situation,
visit www.alternativevet.org/homeopathy.htm.
The Law The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 restricts the treatment of animals (other than your own) with homeopathy, by anyone
other than a fully qualified vet. For further information, visit
www.alternativevet.org. See also: www.naturalfeeding.co.uk
Written by Chris Day - homeopathic
vet and holistic vet.
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