Once I began to more seriously practice homeopathy I was surprised to see the effects of treatment last so long. My experience in medicine, to that point, was that improvements after treatment would last for a while but then the problem would come up again, especially for chronic, long-lasting, problems. It was discouraging that conditions would appear again, but seemed to be the way it was and you sort of get used to it. So it was notably a surprise to see, in some instances, that a homeopathic treatment – even at times just one treatment – would last for months or years.
Here is an example given to me just recently by Nancy Bozeman of Texas, a veterinarian who has studied with me in using homeopathy in practice. Jessica, a dog now about 14 years of age, was a rescue dog. Until Jessica was 8 years old her only life was inside a cage, having puppies – one litter after another. This sort of thing is often called a “puppy mill” meaning that dogs are kept like this solely to produce puppies to sell through pet stores.
When Jessica was relieved of this onerous duty in 2008 and adopted by the client of Dr. Bozeman, the poor dog was unable function without constant fear. She had never lived outside of a cage and so had no experience interacting with people or other animals. She was very, very afraid of anything that moved or any loud noises. She was shy and timid, crawling on her belly everywhere she went, usually cowering in the corner of the room. The person that adopted her tried to help with patience, with time, with working with a trainer to conquer her fear. She remained unchanged for over 5 years – until the fortuitous visit to Dr. Bozeman for dental work and physical exam.
From prior experience working with Jessica in veterinary visits, it was known that she would tremble uncontrollably and bite from fear. Because homeopathy is used routinely in Dr. Bozeman’s practice, on this visit, Jessica was given a homeopathic remedy the moment she arrived at the clinic. The remedy was one that is used for such excessive fear, and it addresses the emotional state underlying that fear.
To quote the client “it changed her entire demeanor within, literally, minutes.” She wanted down on the floor, wagged her tail to several strangers in the room, made eye contact. Even when a door was loudly shut, she did not react. “She became as close to a normal dog as I had ever seen Jessica in the 5 years I have had her.”
Amazingly, this new behavior continued at home. Instead of always cowering in a corner, she allowed approach and being picked up. She came out and mixed with people and other dogs. She would now snuggle up to her person on the couch while watching TV which was completely new behavior. She even began using the doggie door to go outside, which she had never done because of fear of the noise of the flap.
This shows how a single treatment, one dose of the appropriate homeopathic remedy, can have such profound and lasting effects. It does not happen so dramatically in all cases but now I know not to be surprised when I see it. It is one of the fascinations of homeopathy.
I have experienced this too
Do you have also an example case?
Hi Dr. Pitcairn! You were one of my inspirations to study homeopathy! I am currently in my 2nd year. (At HASC, in Carlsbad, CA) Reading this case, I’m curious to know if I came up with the correct remedy that Dr. Bozeman chose for Jessica…Did Staphysagria resolve Jessica’s totality of symptoms?
I am so happy to be guided to your website by a FB post by another teacher/inspriration=Dr. Stephen Blake, aka The Pet Whisperer!
Joy, how nice to hear from you. No, it was not that remedy. Try again. Not an unusual remedy.
Hi Dr. Pitcairn,
I too have had this experience with a remedy on my dog, Booker after he had a psychotic reaction to a grooming incident. Dr. Peggy Fleming, DVM gave him a homeopathic remedy and within minutes he curled up in my arms and was a completely different dog. Homeopathy is truly amazing.
One of the shocking things on first doing homeopathy is how fast it can act in some situations. Like a miracle.
It saved my Kitty from having to take Steroids!
Love responses like this! One will never see anything like this long lasting betterment with any drug in creation, especially if given in one minuscule dose!
I’m guessing this was the work of aconite, high potency.
Yes, Aconite. Dr. Bozeman remembered it being a 1M potency. She was not certain but you and I know that potency not the most important aspect of this but rather that the remedy fit this patient so well.
From my materia medica (Vermuelen), for aconite: TERROR STRICKEN; afraid to go out of the house; great fear, anxiety and worry… inconsolable anxiety.
I’m actually inspired to try this on a patient with deep seated fear that I’ve not been able to budge in several tries now.
Brilliant case. Makes it look so easy, eh?
Yes, well in some respects homeopathy is easy, is it not?
It can be, especially in the acute cases. And in strong emotional states like this.
I posted a similar success with stramonium turning off crazy wild-eyed attacks by a cat towards her loving owner. One dose, like a light switch was flipped off. Normal.
http://vitalanimal.com/rabies-cured/
A couple of these and you think all cases should respond like this. One of the things we have to communicate to clients, as you know, is how each situation is individual and if an illness has lasted a long time, especially if there are physical changes, it takes much longer for the body to heal itself. I understand the desire for “instant results” and it is always a great excitement when it happens but also very rewarding when the seriously sick animal gradually comes back to health.
Dear doctor,
I came across your work quite recently when I was desperately looking for ways to save my darlings. I am from India, and I had inadvertently exposed my four pups — all rescued from the streets — to distemper when I took home another pup from the street that had an accident and broke its leg. By the time I realised that he has distemper it was too late. The shelter, where I had taken him for treatment, wanted to put him to sleep as chorea had already set in. By now, I was resigned to face the worse. My pups are between four and five months old and were in between shots when they were exposed. The new one was sick for sure but was not in apparent pain. so i couldn’t bring myself to either put him to sleep or leave him back in the streets. the doctors told me in couple of days his condition will worsen and that i am taking unnecessary risks, But anyway, he came back home with me. and i started to look for alternatives. that was almost a month and half. now i am giving them homoeopathic treatment as per your book. the one with chorea is still alive and for most part quite active. the others have started showing symptoms — one vomitted today and another had difficulty breathing and all four of them have dewy nose and sometimes yellowish crust on their eyes.
i am treating them as per your book. i feel they do respond, but i can’t be sure because the more i read about distemper, the more confused i get. there are plenty of references to virus pretending to give in, but is actually manifesting itself for worse attack. i feel i need more guidance. I have been asking around for a homeo-vet around here and still haven’t found one. I am wondering if there possibly is someone from India/delhi who had trained under you or you know of someone that i could take them to. i know it’s a long shot, but it’s all i have got at the moment.
treatment as of now
the dog that went to vet was prescribed Amoxicillin and vitamin b complex syrup. and a pain killer (because of his broken leg). i have discontinued amoxicillin and the pain killer after 10 days.
i started with Distemperinum but stopped after couple of days. i gave him nux vomica and then couple of days later followed it up with belladonna. i feel he responds better to belladonna. i also give him arsenicum album 30. this i am taking the liberty of increasing the number of times administered as per his condition. he hardly eats anything but meat (chicken and lamb brain primarily).
the others i have started with Distemperinum morning and evening. plus i also give them pulsatilla ever since their noses started to get dewy. today i gave the dog that had difficulty breathing belladonna because i panicked. and she seems to respond well. she started breathing normally almost immediately.
please help.
You have quite a challenge on your hands with three of them with this condition. The remedies you have mentioned are all ones often needed and generally with their help most animals recover. I don’t know anyone in your country to refer to unfortunately. I am sure there are some veterinarians that know homeopathy, just not contacts of mine. I wish the best outcome for you. If you can’t find anyone at all, you might consider working with one of the US veterinarians that have trained in homeopathy with me. You will find a list of referrals on my website.
Are there any graduates who studied with you practicing in Tucson, AZ?
I learned the hard way NOT to use a traditional vet because the last one I went to 1 Dec. ’06 tried to extort money out of me ($600.) and in the end wanted to kill my cat! I took my kitty home and went to my herbalist friend who sold me $38. worth of stuff and I treated my cat myself, (FUS) at home. That herbal/homeopathic stuff did the trick, cat is fine and STILL with me at 16 years old! My herbalist (30 yr. practice) friend knew exactly what to do because both her son and her cat had episodes with urethral blockage.
There is Judith Shoemaker Miller, DVM but I don’t know if she is still in practice. Perhaps Siobhan Jones, DVM in Hereford, AZ 85615 /Work phone: (520) 458-0930 may be more accessible to you. Good luck.
Dr Pitcairn. You may remember our names. You saved our Mocha 1988-2003. We were a patient of yours. We sent you videos of Mocha’s fits -aBoxer–we are in Plainfield IL. We have a 11 week old (Jonah) Boxer Puppie. We see the list for yourDrs which we will select We have your books and are preparing your recipes. Our problem is finding a vet to split up the puppie shots/do titers & work locally with our long distance homeopathic vet. Jonah’s testicles have not dropped and eventually we will need to take are of this. Do you know any Vets in the Chicago area who would work with us? We sure miss talkng to you but am glad you are teaching and spreading the word. Thank you for your time Mary Selfridge & Betty Swank
Mary & Betty,
I responded to your request directly by email giving you some suggestions. Did you receive it all right?
Also. Jonah is very thin & always shaking outside–even with a coat. We want to nip this circulation problem & wonder if any particular Dr on your list specializes in this problem. Thanks again, Betty & Mary
I have just rescued a 19 month old Basenji/Pharoah hound mix. Very sweet with no uncorrectable problems during the day( he uses his mouth alot to play or just to “chew on hands” , he barks alot, he has been reluctant to do what I want at times. All those are being corrected with minimal fuss at home. ) Correction is using positive reinforcement since this dog was beaten, starved left in cage for 12+ hours/day.
He is having a problem with an exaggerated startle response when he sleeps. he was startled awake one night and bit my face( nothing too serious). Since that time, I refuse to allow him to sleep with anyone and we do not bother him when sleeping.
I was wondering if Rescue remedy would assist him as I am loathe to give him prozac.
Any advice?I am in contact with a trainer to find a suitable one for him. Otherwise he is the nicest boy.
thanks
Rescue Remedy worth a try. Very possibly will help. Another approach, if necessary, is homeopathic treatment and there is a list of veterinarians that offer this on this website. Good luck.
Is there a homeopathic remedy for cryptococosis?
I am sure there can be one. The remedy that would be used would be chosen to match the detailed symptoms that your animal is demonstrating, so that would have to be worked out. Contact one of the veterinarians and see if that can be done. Good luck.
Our dog Simon is 9 years old. In December 2013 we took him to our vet in Ohio to have his teeth cleaned. When they did bloodwork his liver enzymes ALK was 1100. They told us to put him on milk thistle wait three months and have him retested. We just had him retested in Florida (we are snowbirds) and his liver enzymes are now ALK 1494 and DGT 124. Do you know what we can do for Simon I have your book – Complete Guide to Natural Health and I did feed him your recipes for some time but I did go back to commercial food because of convenience. We feed him Wellness canned, dry and treats. If I go back to your raw recipes will that help his enzymes. He has no symptoms at all – he seems so healthy. Please let me know!! Thank you so much!!
In my practice I used homeopathy and home-prepared diets (as in the book) to resolve this problem. I think it can be corrected this way and waht I recommend. You can find a list of veterinarians that have trained with me in homeopathy on my web site, perhaps one not too far from you.
Good luck. I am sure things can improve.
I have a 14 year old cat who has been on a partly raw and cooked food diet. I don’t use kibble, except a few pieces as he has been a fussy eater. I also don’t vaccinate my cats as they are indoor. However, even though his weight is good and his coat is clean and shiny, he has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Upon x-ray for a cough, he also has a “pulminary mass.” the vet put him on anti-biotics in case it is or was an abscess. He has stopped coughing, so I am hoping that it is not a “tumor.” I read that homeopathy can be very effective in getting “rid of” the hyperthyroidism. Can you make an suggestions? I looked into the radioactive iodine, but it is expensive, and with the possible “tumor” it is not viable now. I was told that I should see a specialist to see if the “tumor” can be removed. that is also extremely expensive and so far, he is in good condition. can you recommend anything?
I have your book and have used it over the years.
Thanks so much,
Barbara
A complicated challenge I can see. We (veterinarians) don’t truly know why hyperthyroidism is so common in cats. It is a relatively new disease of the last couple of decades and I suspect it has to do with contamination of our food supply. Cats are very sensitive to chemicals and our food now has so many things in it that never used to be there. You has obviously tried to do the best diet but for example we have found out that almost all chicken (other than organic) has elevated levels of arsenic in them because this is added to the food by the chicken growers. I don’t know if that is the cause of this condition in cats but Arsenic is known to cause the thyroid to enlarge and develop goiter which is a condition of abnormal function. So who knows?
Yes, it can be helped with homeopathy. Takes some time as it is a difficult thing to treat, but I encourage you to try it rather than using radiation. There is a list of veterinarians that have trained with me in homeopathy on this web site, so check that out for possibilities.
Good luck.
Best to you,
Dr. Pitcairn
I was looking for a Holistic Veterinarian in my area and found Dr. Alberto Gil on your ANHC Referral List. I met with him and found him to be very knowledgable and kind however, I cannot seem to find any further reviews or recommendations from his patients. Can you give me your thoughts or personal knowledge you might have on Dr. Gil? Also, is there any Homeopathic Preventatives for heartworms?
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hear from you.
Lori
Dr. Gil has studied homeopathy with me for some years. I know him to be a serious student of the work and a person wanting to do the best for his patients.
There are no “official” homeopathic preventives for heartworm. Some veterinarians use a homeopathic remedy made from the baby worms and it may work but there is not much research information on its use yet.
Thank you for your reply, I appreciate it. Changing to a holistic vet is something I wanted to do for many years but was unsure on who to go to because there are very few in my neighborhood. I have five animals, so I want to make sure I am doing the right thing.
I am glad to hear you say Dr. Gil wants to do the best for his patients. Is this who you would recommend in the Long Island area or is there anyone else I have overlooked?
Is it possible to reply to my personal email instead of your blog?
I thank you in advance for any response you can give me.
Thank you,
Lori
Lmazzola24@gmail.com
My adopted pitbull has struggled with allergies since I got him at 6mos.old. He’s now on a raw diet(mostly) and that seems better for a lot of thing but every spring he looses hair on his side between ribs and hip area and each year it seems to expand. It’s not down to skin but you can see skin through. He also seems sensitive to the touch everywhere as he jumps when you touch him. Any good Homeopathic vets in the Worcester, Massachusetts area?
I don’t know your area well enough to narrow down vet recommendations. Best you look at the referral list for your state. There are some experienced ones listed there for MA. Perhaps one is in driving distance. Good luck.
Dr. Pitcairn: I’ve recently heard coconut oil (extra virgin, cold pressed, etc.) can clear up gingivitis in humans. Is it safe for animals? I tried rubbing my 11 yr old dog’s teeth & gums with it yesterday for the 1st time. It seemed to help her, but I’m not comfortable with continuing until I know it is safe & I’m not harming her. I’m also wondering if coconut oil would help improve with her chronic allergy-ears?( maybe 1-2 drops in each ear??) [By the way…I use your book ” Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats” faithfully as my bible for homeopathic remedies & I’m so grateful to you for all the help & support your book has given me. I’ve been making my dog’s food for a year& a half ….and what a difference it’s made! She doesn’t like it raw, so I cook the ingredients minimally & mix together.] Back to Coconut Oil 🙂 ….Since coconut oil is the newest ‘craze’, isn’t covered in your book. Thanks for your time!
I have no personal experience using coconut oil on the gums but it should certainly be safe to use. Often just the brushing/cleaning in itself is helpful to stimulate healing.
Also, I have not used it in ears. Certainly would be all right to try it that way.
You might also try working with a homeopathic veterinarian for this ear problem as it is usually an immune disorder.
Dr. Pitcairn,
My 11 year old Lab, with exception of fatty tumors, has been a healthy boy. I realize I have had a blind, misplaced trust in conventional veterinary medicine. Recently he received a 3 yr rabies vaccine (never again!) and within days I started to notice small bald patches on his front legs. The bald spots grew larger and more numerous. He has been diagnosed with an ear infection and demodex (his complete blood chemistry was normal and his T4 is 1.6, TSH .2) . Is there a homeopathic remedy for his condition?
Yes, this can readily be treated with homeopathy. What you are seeing we refer to as vaccinosis, which is the illness that comes on after being vaccinated. There is not just one remedy, and sometimes more than one (in sequence) is needed. Set up an appt. with a homeopathic veterinarian and this can be addressed. Good luck.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Thank you so very much Dr. Pitcairn. I am overjoyed to know that there is hope for my boy. I gave him a sulfur lime bath last week but wonder if I should discontinue and just get him to a homeopathic vet asap. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Sulphur baths may help though sometimes the external treatment covers up symptoms without completely eliminating the problem. I still suggest working with a vet that prescribe homeopathy for you.
Good luck.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Thank you very much Dr. Pitcairn. I’m overjoyed to know there is hope in homeopathy. I’ll let you know how the treatment goes.
Dr Pitcairn,
My 12 yr old lab mix Remington has never been sick until recently. After some tests, a 7.8 cm mass was found on the left side of his kidney and adrenal gland. There were some nodules located on his spleen.
He’s back to his normal temperament. We were recommended to get him on Privadal to help slow the progression but it won’t stop it. Remi could get side effects from the medicine and since he seems to be pain free, I’m not sure if giving him medicine would be best for him or if there is a type of homeopathy that he would benefit from.
I just went back to homemade dog food and all 3 love it. I had been feeding high quality grain free for a long time.
Feedback is greatly appreciated. I’m devastated and want to make the best decision for my sweet boy. Thank you.
In my practice I used homeopathic treatment for these problems and there is a list of veterinarians that offer such treatment on this website. I doubt that diet would be sufficient to resolve it.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Dr. Pitcairn,
Will a homeopathy remedy be of any help to my Pug even though it’s been almost a year since he had his rabies vaccination? Also would it be Thuja or Lyssin? I have read some say Thuja, some say Lyssin for rabies. I’m confused about that.
Last Oct. Archie had a seizure the morning after getting his rabies shot. 3 weeks later he started with itching at his back end and then hot spots. A week later he started with diarrhea off and on for about a month. His stools never went back to the way they used to be. He also had hives. By the end of the year he started to become picky with his food. Now he is very picky. I was told I spoiled him, that’s why he is picky but to me it seems like he doesn’t care. He used to get excited like my other dogs when it was time to eat. He does enjoy some things but he has changed. He opens his mouth slowly when I give him something. He has become more aggressive with my other young Pug. Not all the time but we have learned about certain situations to keep them apart. He sits or lays under a chair that’s in a corner, behind a stool next to the sofa, in corners. I mentioned to the vet and the internal medicine doctor that Archie has changed. The IMS told me Pug Dog Encephalitis can do that along with seizures. So I have been worried about PDE.
I believe Archie had too many vaccinations while he was at his breeder when he was younger than he should have been to get them and then before I knew better I trusted his vet when she told me 2 weeks between his distemper 5 way and his rabies shot was enough time.
Archie’s DOB, 6/6/13
I would appreciate any help you can give me for Archie. I am so worried about him.
Thank you so very much for your time.
I am sorry to hear it. These problems after vaccination are more common than most realize. Lyssin and Thuja are possible remedies but there are about 36 remedies that can be used from the effects of vaccination and it takes careful evaluation as to which one to use. My suggestion is that you begin working with a veterinarian that has been trained in homeopathy. There is a list of veterinarians that have trained with me personally and this is on my website page, the menu item “referrals.” If you go there and select your state you will see some possibilities, perhaps some close enough to you. If that does not work out, then access the page for a listing of veterinarians that will consult with you as to general health guidance (especially for nutritional guidance). Go to the menu item “health consultations.” Good luck, I hope you see fast improvement. Homeopathy especially is very good for this sort of thing.
Dr. Pitcairn,
Thank you so very much for taking the time to answer me.
WOW, 36 possible remedies. I thought it would have been just Thuja or Lyssin.
Another question, if you don’t mind. If a dog is given the wrong remedy, will it cause him harm? Since there are so many possible remedies, if a doctor thinks one would help and it doesn’t can we just move on and try another one?
Thank you again.
The correct remedy, especially in complicated situations, is not always obvious. So sometimes we give one that is not quite right. But, important to understand that we can see that this is happening and then make a better prescription. This is why it is so important to be observant and to follow up, even if the first medicine is not sufficient. In a sense, we figure it out. A further reply to your question is – yes, if an inappropriate remedy is given and it is repeated over and over – it can cause harm.
Dr. Pitcairn,
I want to help my Archie get over these problems! It is so heartbreaking that this had to happen. I worry that I might be forced into getting him another rabies vaccination, which I don’t want to do. I am going to have him titer tested. I did read in your book that dogs with these problems should not get another vaccination. I don’t want to make him worse than he is. It looks like there could be hope with homeopathy but it also tends to scare me especially from what you just said.
Thanks for your reply and your honesty.
I quite agree with you it is better that another vaccine not be given. It is interesting that the vaccine manufacturers say in their accompanying literature that the vaccine should only be given to healthy animals, free of illness, yet most veterinarians ignore this and use it on any animal. Probably won’t be enough but if you get forced into that position, you might get a copy of the leaflet that comes with the vaccine and read that to them.
Good luck.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Dr. Pitcairn,
I didn’t mention this before. I took Archie to see an integrative vet twice over the summer. The first visit she wanted to put him on a homeopathic remedy which included nux vomica, gallium heel and neuro calm in the same bottle. I wasn’t comfortable with it so he had 2 doses then I stopped it. Now just recently I read where you said only one remedy should be given at a time. So what the vet prescribed wasn’t the right thing to do? It was to help his immune system and GI.
Recently I ordered a digestive enhancer for Archie. This company also sells homeopathic remedies. The lady on the phone suggested Archie take Thuja to try to get rid of the bad effects of the rabies vaccine he had last Oct. I had also read that some vets suggest Lyssin for bad side effects from rabies vaccination. That was why I asked my original question. So would you be so kind and explain to me why these other vets think Thuja or Lyssin when there could be all these other possibilities? I am so confused about everything. All of this is constantly on my mind.
Thank you!
Vicki,
How can I reply and not offend the other veterinarians? Perhaps it will suffice to say that homeopathy as a method of treatment has understood that only the one remedy that fits the patient’s condition is to be given. It has been that way for 200 years, so that is not in question. Then why mix remedies together? Would it give you any hint that doing so makes the practice easier? That you don’t really have to study that much but instead use formulas? The same applies to advice like “Thuja” or “Lyssin.” Sure, these are often used, but not all cases are the same and the prepared practitioner will look specifically at your animal to see what is indicated. Does it matter? Well, it does in the sense that if Thuja or Lyssin is not what is needed, it will only make the condition worse, not necessarily worse forever (unless the medicine is repeated for a time) but certainly will create unnecessary suffering for a while. This is why veterinarians need to have training in this discipline. Unfortunately many do not undertake that training and approach its use in the way I was hinting at above.
Dr. Pitcairn,
Thank you so very much for all the info in your previous comments. It makes sense.
I have some things I would like your opinion on. If you could help me, I would so appreciate it.
I wanted to tell you I had titer tests done on Archie. His parvo and distemper results were OK. His rabies was not. It is “less than 0.1”. I was hoping so much for immunity from rabies. His vets feel he should get a booster and have told me about local rabies problems. They don’t think of him as an unhealthy dog. I was even told dogs with epilepsy get boosters. Archie does air licking and the vet said it is possible it could be mini focal seizures. The vet even said that his seizure, the day after his rabies vaccination, might have happened anyway, without the vaccination. The vaccine manufacture recognized it since it happened within 24 hours of the vaccination. I am so torn up over this. I don’t want to get him the shot. I’m worried either way. In your opinion, do you still feel NO vaccinations are the right way to go? Do you know what would happen if he doesn’t get it and the authorities find out? Will they take him? I do know if he would bite someone or he got bite by a rabid animal, it would not be good.
If I would be forced to get him the rabies vaccination, how much would treating with homeopathic remedies right away help to avoid problems? Which remedy would you recommend and for how many days?
In your opinion, could homeopathy help with Archie’s issues even if they are not related to vaccinations and it is “just the way he is”?
Can homeopathy possibly help even after a year since the vaccination?
Is it possible Archie’s eating issues could be helped with homeopathy?
Dr. Elizabeth Burke is about 30 minutes from where I live in PA. On her website it says she graduated from your course in the 90’s but her practice is not holistic. I saw where her patients are less than 25% homeopathic. Do you know Dr. Burke? Do you think she would still be someone who could possibly help Archie and do a good job? I guess I’m worried because she might not work with homeopathic patients often. In your opinion is it better to go to someone in person or can a good classic homeopathic vet help him with a phone consult? Do you do phone or email consults?
I have been thinking of taking Archie to Dr. Burke but I’m not sure if that’s the right thing to do?
I respect your opinion and anything you could possibly help me with would be so appreciated.
Thank you so very much for your time.
Vicki,
I am sorry you have to deal with this. Complicated, isn’t it?
I can’t say if your dog is immune. Might be, but no way to know for sure. Probably the safest all around is to get the vaccine but first set up a relationship with a homeopathic veterinarian that can monitor your dog for the weeks following. Homeopathic treatment can correct, most often, the results of illness following vaccines, even if the vaccines given years before. The factor is if there has been a health change after the vaccine and if it has persisted. In which case, the homeopathic treatment is appropriate and can restore health in my experience.
I think the symptoms you describe, including the eating, can be treated with homeopathy.
Dr. Burke took training with me in homeopathic medicine in 1996 but I have had little contact with her since that time. She has not taken any further classes with me or attended regular meetings, so I cannot evaluate what she will offer you. One way you can assess her approach would be to read the page on my site entitled “Evaluating A Vet” which is under the Referral menu. This is advice on questions to ask of the veterinarian so you can see if she is offering the type of treatment I am recommending to you.
I am no longer in practice myself, focussing on teaching and writing to help other veterinarians with this work.
Good luck.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Hi Dr. Pitcairn,
Do you feel a phone or email consult can work out just as well as an in person appointment? Above you mentioned a list of vets who will consult by phone for general health. I noticed they are also on the list that they attended your school for homeopathy. Archie has an appointment to see Dr. Burke. We’ll see what happens.
Archie recently had blood work done. He had white blood cells in his urine and his liver values have gone up. His vet put him on an antibiotic, which he finished a couple of weeks ago and 3
Standard Process products, whole body, immune, and renal. He also takes a multivitamin, Omega Benefits, a digestive enhancer and choline. Can any of these things interfere with homeopathic remedies?
Thank you
Happy holidays to you and your family
I did quite a few phone and email consults when I was in practice and it generally went well. I could use the local vet’s exam information and lab data and then evaluate the information given by you. Of course that can vary with different people, but worked fine for me. Standard Process and other nutritional supplements do not interfere with homeopathic treatment.
Good luck.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Hello again Dr. Pitcairn,
Dec. 19 I took Archie to see Dr. Burke. She put him on Thuja, 3 doses. She told me to look for an aggravation. The same night after he took the 3rd dose he got up and scratched his ears and underarm quite hard and longer than I had seen him do it before. He also did a couple things within the days that followed that I had seen over the past year but I had not seen the last few months. It’s like a couple things returned. Dr. Burke said they should stop.
I mentioned in Nov. Archie had blood work done and his liver values were high. 5 weeks after the Nov. CBC another one was done and his ALT is even higher. It went from 190-284 (ref. range 18-121) in 5 weeks. Archie’s vet suggested if Dr. Burke could give him a detox for his liver. When I asked her she said it was to close to when he had the Thuja and we had to wait another couple of weeks. Is there a good homeopathic remedy to detox the liver? I saw in your book you mention 3 remedies for liver problems. You also mention about symptoms. As of right now Archie doesn’t have any symptoms, just the high ALT. Do you feel there is a remedy to help detox the liver and then it would help bring down the ALT ? Just not sure how it would work if there is one.
In the mean time Archie’s regular vet put him on another Standard Process product and Dena marin.
Thank you so much for all your time. I appreciate all the answers you have given me.
Vicki
The homeopathic remedy chosen for the total Archie is what is best. Homeopathy is not used to treat a part of the patient, such as the liver. You have to take the whole package and prescribe on that basis. The remedy Thuja, then, was chosen in that way. If it is acting as anticipated then the liver will become healthy.
Good luck.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Thank you Dr. Pitcairn for taking the time to so thoughtfully answer each comment. I am a liscensed veterinary technician and very interested in homeopathy. I own Don Hamilton’s book and use it on my own pets and only once at work have been allowed to use homeopathy as a last resort on a cat who jad urethral swelling post catheterization and could not urinate. The owners were going to euthanize so I was allowed to try homeopathy. To my joy the cat began tourinate and was sent home. The trouble is because this success was not attributed to the homeopathy by most of the vets working on the case, even though for 4 days prior they tried many conventional methods to no avail and had to keep placing a catheter. Do you have any suggestions for technicians interested in studying homeopathy and how they can put this knowledge into practice without violating laws? Thank you for your time.
Michelle,
Well, this is an experience we all have had. Even though there is demonstration of the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment, it will not be acknowledged. However, there are some open to it and from these open veterinarians we have been able to sustain a training program as described on my web site. That course, the Pitcairn Institute of Veterinary Homeopathy, is open to licensed techs if they will work with a veterinarian after their training. We call them homeopathic assistants. Short of this, best you can do is to communicate what you have learned and ask to do more demonstrations. It is not an easy path, unfortunately.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Dear Dr. Pitcairn,
I would be extremely grateful if you could take the time to offer a clarification on the dosage that you mentioned in the section on Breast tumors in your book “Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats”. It reads as follows:
“Use this sequential homeopathic treatment. First give the remedy thuja occidentalis 30c (arborvitae) using homeopathic schedule 5, pg 442. Wait for one month then give Silicea 30c, also using Schedule 4.”
It is the use of the word “also” that is throwing me off as it did not fit into the context and made me wonder if there had been an errata and you had intended to say that both medicines were to be given according to Schedule 4.
I am writing to you from India where thuja 30c is only available in liquid form and not as pellets. Could you possible advise on the equivalent dosage in liquid form.
My little dog for whom I am researching this, is nine and a half years old and has been operated four times for mammary tumors that keep coming back and I am trying to keep her from another surgery. She has been on homeopathic treatments for a year where varying medicines such as Calcarea Flour 3x, phytolacca berry 30, Conium mac 200, sulphur and tuberculin were given. Though they have keep the nodules from growing, they have not gone away and thuja seems to be our last hope.
Your advice would be deeply appreciated.
Regards,
Gitanjali Bakshi
I think you are right. Reading this I think I meant Schedule 4 in both instances. Thanks for letting me know. As for the form of the remedy, liquid is fine, just give enough she can taste it. Good luck.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Dear Dr. Pitcairn,
I really appreciate your taking the time to answer my mail.
I will be giving my dog Thuja 30c in liquid form for her breast tumors. I guess one drop would be enough for her to taste it. Could you please tell me if it is essential to give the medicine directly without dilution or is it okay to put the drop of medicine in a teaspoon of water. I am afraid she is very finicky about taking medicines. She doesn’t mind it so much if it is in a little water. However, if you feel the medicine works better undiluted, I will find a way to administer it somehow.
Thank you so very much for your advice. May God bless you for the wonderful work you are doing!
Kind regards,
Gitanjali Bakshi
Homeopathic remedies can be dissolved in water and given in that way. It is sufficient that your dog taste it for it to act.
Good luck.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my queries. You have been very kind. Hope to write to you in a month or so to tell you that Thuja and Silicea have worked their magic and my little dog is free of tumors. I must tell you that it is only from your book and interview with Dr. Becker that I learnt that the way my dog was being medicated (with upto 6-8 doses a day and upto 4 different homeopathic medicines being given at the same time) was not the correct way to give these medicines. Imagine one whole year of that! So, heartfelt thanks once again for your guidance and advice.
You are quite welcome. Good luck.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
I just got your book yesterday and haven’t been able to put It down.
I have two Rotts; a male 5 years old and a pup, 7 months. Both are wonderfull and I
wouldn’t have it any other way. They are both the normal Rott temperments, protective with the family, loyal and loving. Cautious with strangers and take their cues from me as to how to react. I am a dog trainer in Oregon and always researching, learning. I began to raw feed about a year ago, and noticed some great changes in my older Rott. Pup started when I brought her home at 8 weeks. Both love it. I have been adding herbs; not always knowing the proper dosage, but hoping to get some calmness in my older rott. He is terrified of having his nails clipped. I admit I did clip to far and got some blood 2 times a year ago, he also had a terrible experience with a male vet that held him down on the table with his male assistant to clean out an infected ear. Sense then, his nail clipping has gotten so bad I can’t even bring out the clippers with out him running. He gets so stressed, he drools, wont take his favorite treats, even liver on a bully stick. I can’t bare to have him distrust me like that so I’ve had to resort to having him sedated at the vets for a nail trim. I haven’t done that yet, but have no choice that I know of. I’ve tried Valium, Ace; neither worked.
I am giving him Valerain??[sp?] in his supplements in hopes of helping calmness, but not when it comes to nail clipping. I don’t want to have to put him under every time, but can’t let his nails go without being done.
I need some help? Ideas? Suggestions? Any herbs that could be of help? I did try rescue remedy; not a change in him at all.
Holistic vets are so few in this area, the few here are outrageous in price, won’t do the nails, just watch, advise and prescribe herbs etc..
I’d love it so much if you could help his & my nail problem. I’ve never in my life had a dog I couldn’t do their nails. I even teach my students in classes how to do that, and feel hopeless now that I need help. A groomer isn’t an option as I know that will stress him more and make this issue so much worse.
Thanks so much. Feel free use my question, and anything I can do to help your cause
Diann Hecht
541-480-6987
If you are feeding very much raw meat, instead of the diets in our book, then I advise you to change from that. Meat is very contaminated, lots of chemicals, and they will affect dogs making them very nervous and anxious. Additional help for this pattern can be careful homeopathic treatment. There is a vet in Eugene I recommend, Elise Radebaugh, DVM. You might make an appt. with her and get something started.
Good luck.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
My 11 year old beagle just stopped seeing one day. It happened overnight. I took her to an opthomologist and they ran a battery of tests. They are leaning towards SARDS and they said there is no treatment for this disease.
All her blood work is in normal range and she ia eating and acting normal. I am amazed this happened out of the blue. Do you have any suggestions on how I go forward with this diagnosis? Is there a homeopathic remedy for SARDS or anything that can help her see again?
Thank you for your time.
Mike
I have not had a lot of cases like this but when I did, I used homeopathy. I think it has the best chance of restoring this function.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
What homeopathic treatment is recommended for a dog with SARDS. I have been unable to find a Homeopathic Vet with a recommendation. I live in Arizona
Thank you – Sandy
Sandra,
There is more one homeopathic remedy possible, would have to be worked out on the details of your dogs condition. Here is a list of the veterinarians in AZ that have studied homeopathic medicine with me. The ones in bold I think have the most experience.
Darrel Kramer, DVM
Casa Grande, AZ
(303) 805-8015
Karen Lyons, DVM
Gilbert, AZ
(480) 497-6362
Rusty Meikle, DVM
Winslow, AZ
(520) 289-3769
Judith Shoemaker Miller, DVM
Tucson, AZ
(520) 731-2091
Marybeth Minter, DVM
Sedona, AZ
(928) 554-4840
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Judy Stolz, DVM, ND
AZ City, AZ
(520) 494-9571
if this is justified or not.Then it most enilerty focuses on the theory behind water imprinting. This is fine and even some homeopaths put this theory forth, but the truth of the matter is that it is totally irrelevant to how homeopathic medicines are actually made, which is diluting 1% of the previous dilution into 99% of alcohol. True, it’s never pure alcohol, there’s 30% of water in it, but still, it seems to make the entire debate about imprint a non-issue. Some hard to dissolve materials are even initially dissolve in lactose, not alcohol.For proof of concept, the principles of homeopathy do not really matter, I’d rather see a study where a true homeopath prescribes medicines, and half the patients get the real thing, the other half get placebo sugar pills.Only then can you compare if homeopathy works, regardless of the principles or the duration of the interview.
Sinem,
If you are saying that water “memory” does not explain the action of homeopathic medicines, then I agree with you. They can be made without water so obviously that is not necessary. I think this desire to attribute it to the structure of water is from wanting to keep the action on a physical level.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Dear Dr. Pitcairn, ,I have a 12 yr old Miniature Schnauzer named Raider who recently had a right back abcessed molar tooth removed. To find out it was not abcessed but a mass. In August, the doctor removed 90% because, she did want to mess with his root canals? No biopsy was done and they never asked permission to have one done. Furious and angry. In addition to the molar being removed. The doctor told us Raider had 4 teeth that had fallen out during the cleaning. Also, he has a heart murmur grade 3. For 6 years we were told because of his murmur. He could have his teeth cleaned. So, I started using products for Animal teeth cleaning. After the 4 teeth fell out during the dental cleaning process. The came back to tell us he needed 13 more front upper and bottom teeth removed because they were starting to decay. As many times, that I cleaned Raider’s teeth. I never saw decay, so how could they see it if no x-rays were done. Yes, I agreed and feel horrible that I let them without knowing they did no x-rays after the fact To make a long story short, two month later the mass returned. We we took him to a Homeopathic Dr. Ann Barnes in Ft. Worth for consulting. She gave him Chinese pills called Stasis Breaker.5 mg. To help shrink the tumor. Also he’s on Clindamycin gas an antibiotic. So, two weeks later no results of a shrinking tumor. Next we wanted to have this horrible mass removed. It’s taken over the places where his extractions were done. This past Wednesday we were in the process if removing the mass. But, Tuesday night, we noticed he had for the first time a seizure. So, we go back to another conventional doctor who wants to put him on Phenobarbital. Absolutely Not!!!! After reading side affects. I’d rather find a Homeopathic alternative medicine. Raider is so full of life. That drug will surely take him out!!!!
My gut feeling and devastated, tells me. His cancer may have metastasized into a brain tumor. So far, he’s only had one other episode since Tuesday this week. 11/8/16. Which was last-night! 11/11/16. We need honest direction and help!!!! Do you have any suggestions? Raider is a real trooper. He deserves the best. Dr. Will Falconer can’t get him in until January. Without any type of direction he could very well be dead, by then. He’s on Primal Pronto Raw Turkey and also, Bison. What is our next step to try and save Raider. Please help??? Thank you, Michelle and Perry Freeman. 827.915.3216. Any doctor anywhere else would be greatly appreciated! Again, Thank you.
Micelle,
I am very sorry to hear of this challenge you are having. That is tough.
I am no longer in practice myself, devoting myself to teaching and writing so that others can carry on this work. However, there are some veterinarians that have trained with me, in using nutrition and homeopathy as treatment methods. Perhaps one of them could work for you. I can see from what you posted that you went in for homeopathic care but did not receive it. It is difficult for me to know what each veterinarian that has trained with me will offer — you can likely understand. Usually the ones on my referral list are willing to provide homeopathic treatment when you request it.
Here is the link to my website page: http://www.drpitcairn.com/referrals/anhc-referrals/ if you have not already seen it.
If you don’t see anyone near you to visit, then it may work better to consult with someone at a distance.
You might try one of these veterinarians, all graduates of the training program in homeopathy and willing to do such consulations.
Wendy Jensen, DVM
JensenHVP@gmail.com (first contact by email is preferred)
(603) 225-2601
10 Van Ger Drive
Bow NH 03304
Marybeth Minter, DVM
(307) 734-6070
mariposavet@wyoming.com
30 Forest Circle
Sedona, AZ 86336
Cecille O’Brien Greenleaf, VMD
(650) 533-0074
4850 Springdale Drive
San Jose CA 95129
Dee Blanco, DVM
(505) 986-3434
P.O. Box 5865
Santa Fe NM 87502
I hope you can get satisfactory help with this. I wish you the best.
Dr. Pitcairn
Sir, my rescued dog has distemper , completely paralysed. With twitching and chewing gum fits but still has appetite. Could you suggest any homeopathic medicine for him please. I did give him conium 30 once n for eye discharge I gave single dose of arenicum album. I might have messed thngs up bt thr wasn’t anyone to help me with homeopathy, but it is an emergency case.
Sorry to hear of this. To find the correct remedy you will need to consult with one of the homeopathic veterinarians that are listed in my referrals. The details of the situation have to be gathered and evaluated in order to prescribe accurately. If you are not in proximity to one of the veterinarians listed, then try one of the Health Consultants as they may be an alternative.
Best of luck with this.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Dear Dr. Pitcairn,
I e-mailed you a year ago, but lost my password, so I don’t know if you had a chance to answer ~~~ but my questions are different now!
I am desperately trying to save Sagacity, my 11-year old neutered male “boss” cat. He is calm and mellow, except when he is protecting my other 34 cats, and I love him dearly. He was diagnosed with calicivirus about 4 1/2 years ago, and I have been giving him 1/4 tsp. of coconut oil every day; I also gave him Viralys (with l-Lysine and dehydrated fish) powder to boost his immune system and balance the Omega 6 fatty acids in his coconut doses; then I covered them with a turkey “smoothie.” I mix one jar of Gerber’s turkey baby food with 2 jars of distilled water, shake it, and pour it into the dishes of Sagacity and several other cats.
The last time I ran out of Viralys, Sagacity had developed a swelling on the left side of his mouth, so I took him with me to the vet. I thought it was an abcess on one of his remaining teeth, but the vet said she had pulled all the teeth on that side two years ago, so it had to be an inoperable cancer.
I started giving him fish oil, instead of Viralys, with his coconut oil, and started giving him Vitamins C and E once a day, as you suggested in your book. One day last week, he started to eat, and stopped when his dish filled up with blood; he took off, dripping all the way; I couldn’t find him, and was afraid he had bled to death. I was reminded that fish oil was also a “stroke preventive,” as well as an anti-cancer treatment, because of its anticoagulant properties. Bad memory lapse.
Sagacity showed up for breakfast the next day, scary-thin and slightly weak. He wouldn’t touch anything he had eaten the previous day ~~~ not even his favorites. I think he associated them with his bleeding and side effects.
I went to Wal*Mart and found two different foods to try, plus the Delectables Bisque, which he likes and hadn’t had for a while: I bought a packet to try, and he licked up half of it; I also bought a pouch of Temptations Creamy Dairy Treats and a pouch with 10 tiny packets of cooked chicken pieces. The Temptations are “crunchy on the outside and soft inside,” and he ate them up and begged for more (even though he wouldn’t normally stoop to begging!). When I looked at the ingredients listed on the packet, I didn’t like them, but I am desperate enough to get him to eat that I don’t care, for now. At least they’re high in protein. He liked the chicken pieces the first time, too, but wouldn’t eat them the next day. Fortunately, he started eating a little Delectables Senior Stew with Vitamin E again, and he is eating his favorite Friskies canned Kitten Food (turkey) again.
Sagacity’s brother/ littermate succumbed to squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth two months ago, and I CAN’T lose this one. All cats are special, but Sagacity is EXTRA special, and I need him. (So do his 2 sisters, and several other cats who feel safer and more secure around him.)
I have been feeding my cats a diet of EVO dry cat food — every other day — alternating with Purina’s One Beyond dry cat foods, and Blue Buffalo’s Blue Wilderness Trout, for several years, and Sagacity likes them all, with EVO being his favorite. He is an indoor/outdoor cat, like all the others.
Do you have any suggestions for treating him? Diet? Medication? I would greatly appreciate any help you could give.
Sincerely
Babsakru43@gmail.com
I recommend you not use any products that have fish in them as they are so high in mercury. I am not familiar with all the foods you mention, but you might be interested in seeing the new edition of our book (4th edition) just out a couple of months ago. There is much up to date nutritional advice in it that you may find useful. Also, for the health problem you describe I suggest you consider having homeopathic treatment as I think that could resolve this for you. There is a list of trained practitioners on my website, under Referrals.
Good luck.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Hello Dr. Pitcairn,
I am writing you in regards to my 15 year old Bichone Frise. He is a 12 pound neutered male with no major health issues, allergies, kidney or liver disease. He’s not on any medication other than Trifexis once a month. The past 3 years he has been doing great on V-dog with healthy formed stools. Exactly mid July (almost 8 weeks ago) he developed diarrhea. No change in diet, meds, or environmental factors. His stools change daily from soft and watery to sometimes explosive. He will have some intermittent days with formed stools, but will quickly change to diarrhea. We took him to the vet and they did all the routine testing -parasite, fecal, and blood work. Everything came back normal. They sent us home with some probiotics which we incorporated in his food. He continues to have diarrhea. He has a good appetite and has vomited a total of 3 times the past 8 weeks. After 3 weeks of diarrhea I decided to stop his V-dog kibble. I am vegan but in efforts to eliminate his diarrhea, I started him on a diet of boiled organic chicken breast and plain white rice. Still soft and watery stools. I added some carrots and spinach, still the same issue. 2 days ago I went back to the vet and they suggested the “Purina Pro Plan digestive health” canned wet food. I cringed at the thought of giving my dog canned liver meat, but I agreed because I am desperate. He ate a whole can the first day and seemed to like it, but he developed very foul smelling gas, vomited once, and continued diarrhea. Today he will not go near the canned food and refuses to eat at all.
I appreciate your time and guidance.
Sincerely,
Sandra
Sandra, why this has happened is not obvious but when all usual tests have come back negative I suspect something is being encountered — environmental, dietary — that is the reason for it happening. Can’t be sure until some experiments done, but what I did in my practice was explore that possibility. So the first thing I did was look up the side effects of Trifexis. On the website Drugs.com, it lists under “adverse effects” the occurrence of diarrhea in about 2% of dogs taking this regularly. So might be worth doing an experiment of not using it for a while. If that does not appeal to you or does not make much difference I would try one of the recipes for this problem as given in our book, 4th edition.
Good luck.
With best wishes,
Dr. Pitcairn
Thank you Dr. Pitcairn for your reply! I am currently reading your book. My next step is to try slippery elm (as directed in your book) and to make him home made food from your recipes.
Good luck. Hope it works out.