Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs

Details

Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs; Small Doses for Small Animals, by Don Hamilton, was published in 1999.

This book is a textbook for the homeopathic care of small animals. Hamilton details the principles and practice of homeopathic medicine from the veterinary perspective. Whether one is a care-giver of animals wanting to use homeopathy or a 'people' homeopath trying to apply what they know to animals, this book is a great resource.

Hamilton starts with the evolution of homeopathy and the development of its principles. In the middle chapters he covers remedy response, remedy administration, and acute versus chronic prescribing.

The latter chapters provide therapeutic indications by body system involved with leading remedies well indicated. These chapters are complemented by a condensed materia medica of 150 remedies, large and small. At the end there is an intriguing chapter that deals with the issue of vaccinosis and chronic disease.

Human or animal? It makes no difference as Hamilton demonstrates the successful application of homeopathic principles.

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Heritage

The most up to date guide for the care of household pets. Like the books of Day, this work is steeped in the theory of homeopathy and the issues of health and disease before moving on to the question of therapeutics.

The book takes a similar approach to that of Jahr over 150 years ago - starting with chapters on the systems (skin and ears, mouth, gums, teeth) before continuing with chapters on specific therapeutics conditions (abscesses, allergic reactions, etc.).

Hamilton has protocols in each clinical chapter that inform the reader when their cat or dog may need professional attention. He also has a chapter on animal vaccination that is highly critical of common vaccination practices.

From:
The Heritage of Homoeopathic Literature
copyright 2001 by Julian Winston
Reprinted with the permission of the author

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Reviews

From
HOMEOPATHY TODAY
-Reviewed by Susanna Shelton, MDiv, RCHom
and Tineke Verkade, RN, ND, RCHom

We have both been involved in homeopathic education for many years. In the last few years we have seen a rapid increase in the demand for veterinary-specific educational opportunities and resources from farmers, veterinarians, equine enthusiasts, small animal guardians, and "human" homeopaths.

We have happily recommended the modern classics in veterinary homeopathy mainly George Macleod's books and Christopher Day's The Homoeopathic Treatment of Small Animals: Principles and Practice.

But we felt there was a need for a more comprehensive textbook for small animal care. When Don Hamilton's Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs: Small Doses for Small Animals was published we found the answer to our prayers. Not only does Hamilton give sound therapeutic and materia medica indications, but he also tackles the central principles of homeopathy and clinical practice with erudition from a veterinary perspective.

We loved this book and so do our students; we've made it required reading for our program.

Hamilton begins with an overview of homeopathic principles and history in the opening chapters. Although these central principles are well summarized by many other authors, Don gives us a fresh and concise coverage of this vital background information-all from the perspective of an experienced homeopathic veterinarian. (This is an excellent review and orientation for "human" homeopaths who want to hone their skills in prescribing for animals.)

Chapter 3 covers the range of responses to remedies seen in practice: cure, partial cure, palliation, suppression, noncurative aggravation, and no effect. Hamilton gives a clear and succinct discussion of the various responses-without oversimplifying. In 11 pages he covers well what others have done with less clarity in longer chapters.

Once again, we think it would serve as a great reference for the students of "human" homeopathy.

This is followed by two more chapters with clear and succinct discussions of practical and philosophical issues. For example, "How to Handle and Administer Remedies" gives excellent practical advice which is nicely complemented by photos of Don and a feline patient. (Wonderful photos by Kathleen Dudley enhance the cover and the text and give an overall warmth of presentation that is often lacking in homeopathy books!)

On a philosophical note, Hamilton gives an excellent précis of an often confusing concept in: "Constitutional Prescribing versus Acute Prescribing" (with further erudition and differentiation in his chapter on vaccines).

Chapters 6-14 will be the most "dog eared" of the book for us. This is the part where Hamilton deals with specific body systems. He gives an overview of the system, its structure and function, followed by general and homeopathic recommendations for common conditions seen in cats and dogs.

The leading remedies for a given condition are well differentiated. For example, Chapter 9 deals with the Respiratory System, Nose, and Sinuses. Hamilton starts the chapter with a section on "the air we breathe" followed by a discussion of respiratory function; sneezing and nasal discharge; general care for sneezing and nasal discharge; the differences between acute and chronic sneezing and nasal discharge; and treatment plans.

Finally, he gives mini-differentials for the following remedies for sneezing and nasal discharge: Allium cepa, Ars alb, Calc sulph, Hepar sulph, Hydr, Kali bich, Kali sulph, Merc, Puls, Sepia, Silica, and Sulphur.

Chapter 15 gives a further alphabetical listing of specific conditions that did not fit into the large systems discussed in Chapters 6-14. For instance, there is a section on Abscesses (pages 300-306) which includes: a description of how abscesses occur and present clinically; general care for abscesses; and differentials for the leading homeopathic medicines for abscesses including Arnica, Calc sulph Calendula, Hepar sulph, Lach, Merc, Myristica, Nit ac, Phos, Pyrogen, Silica, and Sulphur.

The therapeutic chapters are complemented by a mini-veterinary materia medica which is included in the last 60 pages of the book and covers 150 remedies. It includes useful indications for polychrests such as Pulsatilla and Sulphur as well as smaller remedies such as Cedron and Serum anguillae. Hamilton's materia medica complements Macleod's, A Veterinary Materia Medica, and adds clinical features which we find very useful.

In Chapter 16, Hamilton gives a thought provoking discussion of vaccination. His chapter title queries "Vaccination, Helpful or Harmful?" We would encourage all homeopaths to read this chapter as Don presents some disturbing observations from his clinical work with cats and dogs which have serious implications for human health.

Don discusses the worrying trend towards degenerative chronic illnesses in animals which may be attributable to vaccinosis. Then he offers some hope by presenting anecdotes from his practice in which vaccinosis appears to have been addressed with good homeopathic prescribing.

More good features of Hamilton's book are the summaries at the end of most chapters and the extensive index. Also useful is the appendix of footnotes for each chapter giving ideas for further reading.

We recommend this book to all serious students of veterinary homeopathy. It is a great reference book. The personal observations of Don Hamilton that are woven into the text provide a clinical "icing" on a very finely researched "cake."

His writing exhibits a deep understanding of homeopathic principles and his discussion of treatment plans is truly "homeopathic" rather than an allopathically styled recipe book for common illnesses. Hamilton is not merely an animal allopath using potentized remedies instead of conventional drugs; he is a homeopath applying the Law of Similars, Single Remedy, the Minimum Dose and the Totality of Symptoms in a considered and thoughtful way.

Our beloved companion animals will surely benefit from this timely and wonderful contribution to our literature. Hamilton has given pet owners, "human" homeopaths, veterinarians interested in exploring homeopathy, and his homeopathic veterinarian colleagues a great resource.

Susanna Shelton is an American who trained at The College of Homeopathy in London and the National Center for Homeopathy. She has been living in New Zealand since 1991. She is Principal of the Bay of Plenty College of Homeopathy and teaches homeopathy at several leading polytechnics and homeopathic colleges. With Tineke Verkade, she established the first Diploma of Homeopathy (Animal Health) training course in Australasia.

Tineke Verkade is a native of Holland who has been living in New Zealand since 1977 She is registered as a nurse, naturopath, herbalist and homeopath. Tineke has been using homeopathy with animals and people for over 20 years and in 1997 authored the Homoeopathic Handbook for Dairy Farming. She is also the course coordinator for the Diploma of Homoeopathy (Animal Health) training course at the Bay of Plenty College.

Reprinted with permission from the National Center for Homeopathy

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Contents

Acknowledgments -- xi
Foreword -- xii
Preface -- xiv

PART ONE: Homeopathic Principles -- 3-62

Chapter One- Introduction to Homeopathy -- 3-20
Historical Development of Homeopathy -- 4
-Samuel Hahnemann: The Founding of Homeopathy -- 4
-Provings and the Laws of Similars -- 5-6
-Compassionate Treatment and Seeing the Patients an Individual -- 7
-Constantine Hering: The Father of American Homeopathy -- 8
-Hering's Law of Cure -- 9
-The Rise and Fall of Homeopathy in the Nineteenth Century -- 9
-James Kent: Preparing the Way for Homeopathy's Future -- 10-11
-The Resurgence of Homeopathy in the Twentieth Century -- 12
General Introduction to Homeopathic Medicine -- 13
-Provings and the Law of Similars: Understanding our Medicines -- 14
-Finding the Remedy with the Materia Medica and the Repertory -- 14-16
-What is Homeopathic Medicine? -- 17-19
Summary -- 20

Chapter Two- The Nature of Disease -- 21-46
Conventional Medicine and the Rationalist School -- 22-25
Holistic Medicine and the Empirical School -- 26-28
Acute Disease versus Chronic Disease -- 29-30
Disease as Individual Phenomenon -- 31
Symptoms are not disease, they only represent the illness -- 32
Symptoms are actually the healing process -- 33
What is Disease? -- 34-41
What is a Healthy Animal? -- 42-43
Summary -- 44-46

Chapter Three: The Nature of Cure -- 47-62
Signs of Cure -- 50
Signs of a Partial Cure -- 51
Signs of Palliation -- 52-54
Signs of Suppression -- 55
Signs of Noncurative Aggravation -- 56
No Effect -- 57
Summary -- 58-62

PART TWO: Homeopathic Treatment -- 63-356

Chapter Four- Where to Start When You Have a Sick Companion -- 63-75
When to Seek Veterinary Help -- 65-66
Working with a Homeopathic Veterinarian -- 67
Aids and Obstacles to Cure -- 68-71
Other Treatment Methods -- 72-74
Summary -- 75

Chapter Five: Using Homeopathy at Home -- 76-98
How to Take a Case and Choose a Remedy -- 77-79
Constitutional Prescribing versus Acute Prescribing -- 80-82
How to Use the Treatment Chapters -- 83-85
How to Handle and Administer Remedies -- 86-88
Dose, Potency, and Repetition -- 89-95
Monitoring Your Companion's Progress -- 96
Summary -- 97-98

Chapter Six- Skin and Ears -- 99-124
Overview -- 100-102
Function -- 103
Skin Infections and Eruptions -- 104
-Itching - 104-108
-Hotspots -- 109-111
-Acne -- 112
-Mange -- 112-113
-Bites and Stings -- 114-115
-Burns and Scalds -- 116-117
-Ringworm -- 118
Ear Problems -- 119
-Ear Mites -- 120
-Foxtails and Foreign Bodies -- 121
-Aural Hematomas -- 122-123
-Fly Strike -- 124

Chapter Seven- Mouth, Gums, and Teeth -- 125-142
Function -- 126-128
Gingivitis and Mouth Inflammation -- 129-135
Ranula -- 136
Abscessed or Decaying Teeth -- 137-142

Chapter Eight- Digestive System -- 143-168
Foods -- 144
Function -- 145-146
Regurgitation and Vomiting -- 147-151
Diarrhea -- 152-158
Constipation -- 159-164
Bloat -- 165-168

Chapter Nine- Respiratory System, Nose, and Sinuses -- 169-186
The Air We Breathe -- 170
Function -- 171
Sneezing and Nasal Discharge -- 172-177
Nosebleed -- 178-179
Coughing -- 180-185
Lung Problems -- 186

Chapter Ten- Eyes -- 187-200
Overview -- 188
Function -- 188
Conjunctivitis -- 189-196
Hypopyon (Pus Behind the Cornea) -- 197
Corneal Ulcers -- 198
Entropion (Inversion of the Eyelids) -- 198
Injuries to the Eyes -- 199-200

Chapter Eleven- Urinary System -- 201-226
Function -- 202
Urinary System Disease -- 203-204
Cystitis (Bladder Inflammation) -- 205-211
Urethral Obstruction and Catheterization -- 212
Kidney Failure -- 213-222
Urinary Incontinence -- 223-225
Incontinence from Injury -- 226

Chapter Twelve- Musculoskeletal (Locomotor) System -- 227-246
Function -- 228
General Care for Musculoskeletal Problems -- 228-229
Arthritis, Hip Dysplasia, Spondylitis -- 230-233
Intervertebral Disc Disease (Slipped Disc) -- 234-236
Conditions of Growing Animals (Primarily Dogs) -- 237
-Panosteitis -- 238
-Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD) -- 239
-Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) -- 240
-Rickets -- 241-242
-Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease -- 243
Injuries to the Musculoskeletal System -- 243
-Broken Bones -- 243
-Sprains and Strains -- 244-245
-Torn Muscles -- 246

Chapter Thirteen- Nervous System -- 247-260
Function -- 248
Degenerative Myelopathy -- 248-251
Coonhound Paralysis -- 252
Tick Paralysis -- 252
Convulsions (Seizures) -- 252-254
Aggression and the Rabies Miasm -- 255-257
Injuries to the Brain and Spinal Cord -- 258-260

Chapter Fourteen- Reproductive System -- 261-298
Overview -- 262
-Neutering -- 263-264
-Breeding -- 265-266
Male Reproductive System -- 267
-Function -- 267
-Discharge from the Sheath (Balanoposthitis, Sheath Inflammation) -- 268
-Phimosis and Paraphimosis -- 269-270
-Retained Testicle (Cryptorchidism) -- 271
-Inflammation of the Testicles (Orchitis) -- 272
-Injuries to the Testicles -- 275
-Prostate Affections -- 275-277
-Hypersexual Behavior -- 278
Female Reproductive System -- 279
-Function -- 279-280
-Discharge from the Vulva -- 281-287
Pregnancy and Neonatal Care -- 288
-Pregnancy -- 288
-Labor -- 289
-Postpartum Conditions (After Delivery) -- 290
--Pain -- 290
--Hemorrhage -- 290
--Retained Placenta -- 290
--Postpartum Infection -- 290
--Eclampsia -- 291-292
-Neonatal Care -- 293
--Rejection of Puppies of Kittens -- 293
--Weak Kittens or Puppies -- 293
--Runts, Dwarfishness -- 293
-Mammary Problems -- 294
--Inadequate Milk Flow -- 295
--To Dry Up Milk Following Weaning -- 295
--Bad Milk -- 295
--Mastitis -- 296-297
--Injury to the Breast == 298

Chapter Fifteen- Therapeutic Indications by Condition -- 299-356
Overview -- 300
Abscesses -- 300-305
Allergic Reactions -- 306-308
Bites of Cats and Dogs -- 309-310
Bites of Snakes -- 311-312
Cuts and Lacerations -- 313
Diabetes Mellitus -- 314
Drug Reactions -- 315
Euthanasia -- 315-317
Fear -- 318-319
Fear of Noises (Thunder, Gunshot, Rushing Water) -- 320
Fever and Infections -- 321-322
Fleas -- 323-327
Foods and Garbage Poisoning -- 328-329
Grief -- 330
Heart Disease -- 330-331
Heartworm -- 332
Hemorrhage -- 333-334
Hyperactivity -- 335
Liver Disorders -- 336-339
New Puppy or Kitten -- 340-341
Overheating (Heat Stroke, Sunstroke) -- 342-343
Surgery -- 344-345
Thyroid Disease -- 346-347
Vaccine Reactions -- 348-349
Worms (Intestinal) -- 350-356

PART THREE: Vaccination- Helpful or Harmful? -- 57-392
Chapter Sixteen- Vaccination -- 357-392
The Vaccine Quandary -- 358-362
Why Do We Give Annual Vaccinations if They Are Unnecessary? -- 363-364
Vaccination Does Prevent Disease, Doesn't It? -- 365-368
Can Vaccination Cause Problems? -- 369-371
Vaccination: Replacing Acute Illness with Chronic Disease -- 372-378
How Can Vaccination Cause Illness? -- 379-380
Vaccination and Brain Damage -- 381
What Steps Should You Take with This Information? -- 382-387
If You Still Decide to Vaccinate, What Vaccines Should You Use? -- 388-392

PART FOUR: Homeopathic Remedies -- 393-482
Chapter Seventeen- Materia Medica -- 393-454
Descriptions of Homeopathic Medicines -- 395-354

Appendix -- 455-474
Glossary -- 456-462
Homeopathic and Holistic Organizations -- 463
Homeopathic Suppliers -- 464-466
Notes -- 467-470
Suggested Reading and Reference Books -- 471-474
Index -- 475-482

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