Homeopathy for Behavioral Issues in Animals - Part One

CHAT BEGAN AT 21:05 EST

 

Moderator: Welcome Christina Chambreau, DVM. Dr. Chambreau has been chat-ting with us regularly over the years. Tonight she will answer your questions about treating animal behavioral issues with homeopathy.

 

Dr. Chambreau: TONIGHT'S PLAN - I will start with some general, basic statements on health care for animals, and will answer your questions about them. Then I will begin to answer all the wonderful cases that were submitted. I will not, of course, be treating these animals in our short chat. I will be commenting on the thinking and the homeopathic approaches needed.

 

What you can do after the talk is: First, read these cases once they are posted on the NCH website. Second, decide which symptoms are unusual, or odd, or characteristic. Third, pick up your repertory and look up all the symptoms. Fourth, look at the remedies in the medium-sized rubrics, or those rubrics which fit perfectly and only have one or two remedies. Fifth, read about them in several materia medicas.

 

By the way, if what I have just said does not make sense to you, then I would suggest taking some classes. There is a great book to help you learn the repertory and it has some animal examples in it - Homeopathic Repertory: A Tutorial, by Karen Allen, CCH and myself. Read about how bodies heal and get ill - many of the animal homeopathy books discuss this, but people tend to rush to the "remedy for the condition" part and do not read the philosophy.

 

CLASSES

 

February 20, 21 2010: New Hope Pennsylvania. Holistic Health Approaches for Animals
More information and registration is available through PayPal on line at http://www.kruisinkanines.com/index.htm or Dina at dotdog99@comcast.net 
 
April 6, 2010: Baltimore, MD, Roland Park School- Flea & Tick Free Naturally - and
April 14, 2010 - Holistic Health For Animals - register for either at http://www.rpcs.org/Kaleidoscope/general_information.aspx

May 18-22, 2010 - LIGA - homeopathic conference in Los Angeles includes a day on animal homeopathy from  www.theAVH.org

June 5, 2010: Cooperstown, NY. Vaccine controversy and Keeping your Animals Healthy. http://www.healthydogproject.org/Site/Welcome.html

June 2010 - Plan now for HOMEOPATHIC SUMMER CLASSES WITH ME IN BOWIE, MARYLAND Veterinarians - learn if this modality is for you. Pet Guardians - get your clinic staff to come and learn yourself how you can use homeopathic principles and remedies to keep your animals super healthy - www.HomeopathicAnimalCare.org (This site has the info from 2009 as the classes are not set yet for June 2010. If you really want to attend, email TimSaffell@usa.net  and tell him so.) this is an awesome class - used to be part of the NCH summer school.

Vermont - Classes to be announced. Email jan.gordon8@gmail.com or doubleqranch@gmavt.net with your interest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOOKS & GUIDES

 

Healthy Animal's Journal  - Christina Chambreau - www.healthyanimalsjournal.com

 

GENERAL HEALTH CARE

Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats

Anitra Frazier - The Natural Cat

Yarnall and Hofve - Complete guide to holistic Cat care.

Marty Goldstein - Nature of Animal Healing

Chiclet T. Dog and Jan Rasmusen - Scared Poopless

John Clifton - Stop the Shots

 

NUTRITION

Beth Taylor and Karen Becker - Dr. Becker's Real Food for healthy dogs and cats

Beth Taylor and Steve Brown - See Spot Live Longer

Joel Salatin - How to find the best ingredients - sustainable farming

 

HERBAL

Juliette de Bairacli Levy - The complete herbal handbook for the dog and cat

Greg And Mary Tilford - Herbs for Pets

 

FLOWER ESSENCES

Helen Graham - Bach Flower Remedies for Animals

 

HOMEOPATHY FOR ANIMALS

Don Hamilton - Homeopathic Care of Cats and Dogs

John Saxton and Peter Gregory - Textbook of veterinary Homeopathy

Edward De Beukelaer - Homeopathy What to Expect - including 101 veterinary cases of many    different species

Christopher Day - Homeopathic Treatment of Small Animals

Glen Dupree - Homeopathy in Organic Livestock Production - a great speaker on the NCH chat http://www.homeopathyfortheanimals.com/

 

 

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Cheryl Schwartz - Four Paws, Five Directions                  

 

MISCELLANEOUS

James Busby - How to afford Veterinary Care Without Mortgaging the Kids

 

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Dr. Chambreau: One key on how to prevent “obstacles to cure” is: Feed the best. What are the best diets for people or animals -- the most processed or the freshest, most organic? The best ingredients should be the most consciously raised - local, organic vegetables, and free-ranging protein sources. Dogs and cats have ripping and tearing teeth, bone crunching teeth, no digestive juices in the mouth, jaws that do not chew, a stomach full of acid where the food sits for 4-12 hours and a very short transit time in the intestines. Dogs and cats do not pull out a knife to de-bone their prey and do not pull out matches to light a fire to cook their meat and vegetables. Therefore the best diet for dogs and cats is raw meat including raw bones, pureed raw and cooked vegetables and a few supplements (Calcium if no bones are eaten is critical). Grains are not good for most animals, but if there are none of the early warning signs (see below) and no illnesses, you can feed some grains, preferably the higher protein ones. Start this with young kittens and puppies or at whatever age they are when you read this (Brighthaven.org, a cat sanctuary, switches 16 year old and older cats to raw meat diet; some have lived to 27 and 30).

 

Second-best is same quality, but cooked. Even grocery store quality meat and vegetables are much better than most processed foods. Processed foods are an effort for the food industry to use up its waste products except for a few companies with great motives (and even they sometimes get bad or inferior ingredients). Processed foods are also a problem for the environment - they are not sustainable. Every animal needs and wants a different combination at different times in their lives, just as we do. With any food, observe each of your animals for the effect that food has on them.

 

NEVER feed DRY food to cats - even as treats. You can now buy many commercial raw meat diets. You must research them as well. Ask where the ingredients are raised? Are chemicals used? Are the chickens, beef, pork, etc. raised in humane ways, out in the sun to get the Vitamin D in the meat, etc? In several of my answers to your questions, I have spoken about this:

 

Understand how animals become ill and how they heal. First there is an energetic imbalance (they are just not right), then functional (the dog is itchy), then inflamed (skin is red, infected, swollen and hot) and finally tissue changes (thick, black skin). Results of any treatment can be no change, amelioration (current symptoms disappear with no other improvements, then return), suppression (current symptoms disappear and they become more ill) or a cure (everything about the animal to begins to improve, especially the overall energy level). Keeping a journal is critical to determine what treatments are helping problems to become less frequent and less severe. You can stand firm with what you feel is working even if your professional disagrees and change approaches when needed. Www.HealthyAnimalsJournal.com is a great one to use and e-version will soon be available.

 

EE13191: How about diets for animals with health issues? Can you recommend recipes or where to look for recipes for cats with a history of Calcium Oxalate bladder stones?

 

Dr. Chambreau: The best diets for ill animals are the basic raw meaty bone that I speak of above. You usually do not need anything different along with the homeopathic treatment that will prevent future formation of stones.

 

Several people asked about problems, behavior and others, from vaccines. One major obstacle to cure in animals is vaccination. Vaccinate the least. In my opinion, vaccines have caused more harm to animals than anything else we have done. Do you get measles, mumps and polio every year of your life? Researchers in conventional veterinary medicine agree that we vaccinate too often, in too many combinations, and that this level of vaccination, while preventing epidemics, is harmful to the health of susceptible animals. On-going studies show that antibodies are high 10 and 16 years later for distemper and Parvo so I recommend just a few baby shots and NO more.

 

While Rabies is also a viral disease, you must follow the law and vaccinate every 3 years. To help prevent damage from the Rabies vaccine, or any others that are accidentally given, do the following. First, learn Reiki (see Below) and hold the vaccine syringe in your hand until the "draw" is gone, then Reiki the injection site once you are in car, then Reiki the whole animals daily until they do not "draw". If you have not yet learned Reiki, use the contacts below to have it done for your animal after the vaccine. For two weeks before and two weeks after, give the totally safe Vaccine Detox, a flower essence from Spirit Essences (get a discount at www.ChristinaChambreau.com/products.php). Then use the Early Warning signs, below, to see if further holistic treatment is needed if any of them appear or worsen. The AVMA, veterinary colleges, AAHA, FPA and other leaders say 3 years is the best for all other vaccines, so certainly do not do yearly for anything (unless there is a Leptospirosis outbreak in your area, then email me for guidance). Please do not let the need to put your dog in a kennel force you to poison your dog with extra vaccines unless it is an emergency. The insert in vaccine packages says “Give only to healthy animals”, so if your animal is ill in any way, or undergoing treatment, they should not be vaccinated. Vaccinated animals often develop many chronic conditions including diabetes, Cushing’s disease, Addison’s, allergies and even cancer. A wonderful list-serve on vaccines, their harm and alternatives is at Yahoo groups. To register, go to jstsayno2vaccs-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .

 

 

Drcandace: At our animal hospital, we do not feel we can recommend raw diets as many of our clients rely on children or help to feed their animals; we are afraid of poor storage and bacterial contamination.... and being sued as a result.

 

Dr. Chambreau: Law suits are a real problem. Client education is the key. You let them choose. You CAN recommend these diets. Do the people feed their children meat? If they are feeding the same meat to their animals as their children, then storage should not be an issue. The next best option is to sell commercially prepared raw food diets and dehydrated diets that they reconstitute, or to refer them to a nutritional specialist like Beth Taylor.

 

Drcandace: Many of our clients eat out. And many send their housekeeper in with their pet.

 

Dr. Chambreau: Many of my NYC clients all eat out as well.

 

Tvegas: how do you feed a dog with proteinuria and hypertension?

 

Dr. Chambreau: If a dog has proteinuria and hypertension, it probably has renal disease so you MUST be working with a veterinary homeopath in addition to feeding a raw meat diet.

 

Tvegas: I am feeding him with KD formula, is it ok?

 

Dr. Chambreau: KD is NOT good! Most homeopathic veterinarians agree that if the kidney values are very high, they need to have reduced high-quality protein, but in the early and moderate stages, the regular raw diet is fine.

 

Tvegas: Do you mean that raw meat is better?

 

Dr. Chambreau: Do you ever see dogs in the wild pull out a match and cook their meat?

 

Drcandace: Are there any homeopathic remedies that have been shown to be useful in cribbing and weaving? I found in one horse, who was definitely better outside, that Pulsatilla cured early- onset stall walking.

 

Dr. Chambreau: THIS IS EXCELLENT. You looked for a remedy that matched the horse, desire to be outside, rather than a remedy for stall-walking.

 

Drcandace: Currently I am treating a pony mare who is a bad cribber, fairly fearless, and always ravenous. She cribs both inside and outside. The only time she does not crib is if she is eating.

 

Dr. Chambreau: Rubrics would be repetitive behaviors, ravenous or insatiable appetite and any other characteristic symptoms.

 

Drcandace: I am also treating a thoroughbred mare who weaves even outside in a shed, is always spooky, but fortunately doesn’t need to run (she is a retired racehorse). I treated her years ago – before she became a weaver – with Lycopodium quite successfully, as she would come in heavy heat but then try to kill the stallion if he tried to mount her (she broke several sets of hobbles and blew out of the tranquilizer.) After the Lycopodium, she was never again a breeding problem.

 

Dr. Chambreau: Has the Lycopodium been tried for the weaving? If it has not helped, I would look for an acute remedy associated with Lycopodium. I find Abdur Rehman's book, Encyclopedia of Remedy Relationships in Homeopathy, to be great for this - saying that Lycopodium evolves toward Arsenicum album or Lachesis (women) or towards baryta-carb, phosphorus, or even Plumbum. Spooky of what? Repetitive behavior rubrics. Again I would be thinking Phosphorus. When you are working up a case, you will think of possible remedies, and write these in the margin of your case notes, then forget them and find the characteristic symptoms. Repertorize and find the remedy - it might or might not be what you were thinking of.

Dr. Jeff Feinman is a great veterinary homeopath near you and Anne Hermans, Steve Tobin are great and in CT, too. Look them up on the AVH website, www.TheAVH.org.

 

Tvegas: What can be done about a 3 year old dog that is not potty-trained, what symptoms should I look for?

 

Dr. Chambreau: Well, the first is to make sure you have done the regular obedience classes and read the great books like Deborah Wood's “The Tao of Bow Wow”.  Now, if you have done that and the dog is still going inside the house, you need to ask about the reasons. When does the dog go in the house? Is it from fear, timidity, anger, vindictiveness?

 

In the transcripts posted on the web site, there will be a great list of books.

 

Tvegas: this is a rescued dog. He was abused, left in a backyard for 3 years.

 

Dr. Chambreau: Even rescued dogs need to be treated with basic obedience, then good homeopathy. You cannot just assume that because they were abused that is the cause of the behavior problem. The better assumption is that it is chronic illness and to find remedies for them.

Depending on the size of the yard, he may think soiling his living area is normal. Retraining outside the normal box of thinking may be needed.

 

Ngranie: A 2 year old cat that I recently adopted meows non stop in the evening and is very scared. Can you help to find a remedy?

 

Dr. Chambreau: To find the rubrics for this cat, you need to know what time in the evening. Is the cat scared all the time or only in the evening?

 

Ngranie: He is scared all the time and he starts meowing around 8pm

 

Dr. Chambreau: Until you find a homeopathic practitioner or find the rubrics for the remedy yourself, you can use flower essences. I like Spirit Essences, made by Dr. Hofve (go to my web site www.ChristinaChambreau.com/Products.php). They work very well with fears.

 

Dr. Chambreau: You would go to MIND, Fear, 8 PM and see what remedies are there. Then you have to get all the symptoms the cat is showing in addition to the behavior symptoms to narrow down the remedy selection.

 

EE13191: That brings up another question. Many of the animals I work with have been rescued. I am not able to get much of a history and rely on their presenting symptoms, and what I observe, etc. Any other suggestions?

 

Dr. Chambreau: When you work with rescued dogs and do not know the history, you base your remedy selection on the symptoms you do have. When you have only a few symptoms it is harder and it is hard with rescues to know if a “new” symptom is new or if it a return of an old symptom (which is a good sign of healing). You need to be very observant.

 

Sherylynn: When you discuss remedies, can you kindly inform "how" they are used for pets as opposed to humans, for example, are they one time 30c doses in their water etc? Is it ok if other household cats drink it? etc.

 

Dr. Chambreau: Remedies for pets are used the same as they are for humans - it is not ok for other cats to drink it. Neither animals nor people should be given remedies that are not specifically selected for them. I suggest people put the remedy in water, offer it to the animal and if they do not put their tongue in, give them a few drops.

 

An older, weaker animal who wakes at night may need a 12c or a 30c. The potency selected depends on the case - a very excited dog who is tugging at the leash and has no physical symptoms that could cause illness if they got worse might need a 200c or 1M.

 

Tvegas: What is the best way to give a remedy to a dog or a cat? can you put the pellets in his/her mouth? but in that case you might touch the pellets... I dissolve the pellets in bottle water and use a specific syringe to put the remedy in the mouth. Is it correct?

 

Dr. Chambreau: There are many ways to give remedies which were described in the 4th, 5th and 6th editions of Hahnemann’s Organon. That discussion will be in the transcript. 4th edition of organon is dry, 5th edition is making a stock bottle of dilution, then shaking and then diluting again to administer, 6th edition is LM potencies.

 

There are many different opinions about which method is best. I have done the 5th edition for the last 3 years and find it is slightly better than dry (or a pellet put in water but not shaken) but not a lot better. I suggest whatever is best in each case.

 

Siridayton: Since you recommend flower essences, I am assuming you feel they do not interfere with homeopathic remedies, or with your ability to interpret the symptoms.

 

Dr. Chambreau: I have not seen flower essences interfere with the reaction of an animal to homeopathic remedies nor have I had difficulty evaluating the response because of using flower essences.

 

Siridayton: Good to hear about the flower essences. And kudos to you for keeping track of the questions!

 

Dr. Chambreau: Thanks for the kudos.

 

Charlie: When you have selected a remedy and have given it and no reaction or an aggravation, when do you repeat the dose?

 

Dr. Chambreau: Response to remedies is certainly a challenge. Did the animal not respond because it was the incorrect remedy or because the potency was too low or because the remedy needed more repetition? It takes years to really be good at these evaluations. Please read the philosophy, the principles of healing in the books on the book list at the end of this transcript (also on my web site). That will help you. If you re-evaluate the case when there is no response and think it is still the correct remedy - repeat it.

 

How soon to repeat it? That would depend on what you are treating. If a horse was just in an accident you would repeat the remedy every 5 minutes. If it is a longstanding cribbing problem, you may repeat weekly for two or three weeks, or give a single dose in higher potency.

 

Drcandace: For horses I dissolve the remedy in 1/4 ounce of ETOH (grain alcohol) and 1/4 ounce of spring water in a 1/2 ounce dropper bottle. I then shake ten to 12 times before administering half a dropperful into the mouth.

 

Tvegas: A vet told me that it is ok to dissolve the pellets in ice cream or milk, is it right?

 

Kcritdoc: Do you do that for ease of administration in horses? Why not just dry?

 

Drcandace: Horses spit out the pellets very handily.

 

Kcritdoc: The poppy seed size stay in pretty well.

 

Drcandace: I have used the dilution I mentioned for 15 years and it has worked well. Generally I use 30c, 200c, 1M and even a 10M potency if necessary for a chronic case.

 

sherylynn: and if a cat licks furniture and wants to eat all the time, we think that is why she licks furniture, to wake us, get our attention etc.....is there something other then a remedy?

 

Dr. Chambreau: If you can find the right remedy, all sorts of things clear up. Do get the early warning sign list from my website because when the remedy is curative, these will go away too.

 

Dr. Chambreau: If you are treating behavior problems with homeopathy, one of the keys is to distinguish between ill health and training issues – like the case of BM in the house we spoke of earlier. I used to treat symptoms like “pulling on the leash” unsuccessfully with remedies until I realized the dog and human had not done obedience class.

 

Siridayton: I have a general question. In my experience, so many behavior problems in animals are really emotional problems of the owners. Like a poor diet, I see this as an obstacle to cure. I end up referring people to behaviorists first to sort out their own issues before I prescribe. How do you handle these delicate cases?

 

Dr. Chambreau: Yes, the emotional problems of the owners can be an obstacle to cure, so it is great when the owners can be treated, too. Betsy Harrison and some other veterinarians help the owners, too. It is not essential, though, for the family to be healthy. If you can really figure out the remedy for the animal, it sometimes helps the owner heal, too.

 

EE13191: The owners and their animals often are like the parents and their children --sometimes they need a related remedy.

 

Siridayton: That's what I am finding. The energy of the owners and their animals are very tightly woven together. My most successful cases are those in which the owners are under homeopathic care themselves. Subtle stuff this homeopathy!

 

Jimbev: We took in a feral kitten a few years ago. She was spayed as soon as possible. We keep both cats inside, provide a large litter box and keep it clean. "Puff" has taken to spraying the walls of our house, and other objects. We can't find a cause, and she seems healthy, and playful with our other cat. I have Pitcairn's book, and can find nothing to help. Any suggestions?

 

Dr. Chambreau: First you do need to have a urine sample checked on the kitten to be sure it is not a physical problem. Then, while some homeopaths can find the needed remedy, I like to consult with an animal communicator to see if we can find a reason for the spraying. You can also help by putting up aluminum foil in the areas when she sprays. Some flower essences (which can be prescribed for a condition rather than the individual) are great for treating spraying problems.

 

Dr. Chambreau: Back to diet for a moment - please do not EVER, EVER feed dry food to cats. If they will not switch it means they need homeopathic treatment.

 

Ngranie: No dry food for cats - why?

 

Drcandace: I agree about the dry food. It leads to obesity and diabetes.

 

Dr. Chambreau: Dry food stresses the kidneys and keeps the cats dehydrated. Read the books on the list at the end of this transcript for more information.

 

Anna: Is dry food a no-no for cats only?

 

Sherylynn: What if a rescued cat won't eat dry food? We tried 20 kinds, leave it out, put away, tried turkey, he only wants his Walthams.

 

Dr. Chambreau: When a cat will not switch from dry, it may need homeopathic treatment to get it healthy enough to eat good diet, sort of like treating a person who will only eat junk food. Also, doing Reiki on food will sometimes get cats to eat.

 

sherylynn2 Is it true if you leave food out long enough they will eat it? It turns color so fast, I fear that.... Can I just ask again, what is the best way to administer remedies to a cat?

 

Jimbev: Thanks for all the great tips and hints!

 

Dr. Chambreau: There is a video, Homeopathic First Aid for Pets, that demonstrates giving the dry remedy but it is not currently available. Basically, give the remedy in liquid form and use an eyedropper to put the liquid into the mouth (you only need a few drops). Or you can even put the remedy into a little bit of cream cheese or milk or cream (they are made on milk sugar pellets.) When treating feral cat colonies, they even have success putting the remedy into the food. IF the remedy is correct it will work through all but the stinkiest smells.

 

Sherylynn: So in the water dilution? I thought milk was bad for them? Untrue? Local vet said no milk! My 3 love sour cream!

 

Dr. Chambreau: Yeah…when I was a conventional vet I said “no milk.” I said vaccinate every year. I said Revolution and Advantage and ... Milk is fine for most cats and dogs. Horses can be done in mouth or in plain oats.

 

Margo: Other ways to administer a remedy to an animal include using a turkey baster, plastic syringe, or pipette.

 

Sherylynn: What are your thoughts on the pre-mixed "anxiety" liquid remedies sold in pet stores? I forget brand name.

 

Dr. Chambreau: Premixed, or combination remedies are not the best. The best is to find the remedy that is best for each individual.

 

Sherylynn: great! thanks!

 

Siridayton: I totally agree with that. Gave arsenicum to a shrinking cat who was tearing her hair out in some fancy feast. Now she's FAT with a glorious coat. It's all about finding the similimum

 

Sherylynn: Do you recommend a homeopathic vet in Philadelphia suburbs? I don’t have the knowledge yet I believe to comfortably select remedies.

 

Dr. Chambreau: Shelly Epstein, DVM is in Wilmington DE, and she is excellent. You can go to www.theavh.org to find homeopathic vets. Or call and work with me by phone.

 

Please go to my web site and to the transcripts on the NCH web site for much more information. And come to one of my classes or have me come teach in your area - you all were so great to speak to.

 

Moderator: Dr. Chambreau taught at NCH Summer School for years. Now she teaches every June in Bowie, MD. Information is available on her website, www.healthyanimals.com

 

Dr. Chambreau will be our Guest Speaker again in April! Thank you for all the questions and Dr. Chambreau's great answers.

 

Margo: Thank you, Dr Chambreau. I took some of your classes years ago at NCH Summer School at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore – I now work as a homeopath at my local humane society.

CHAT ENDED AT 22:09 EST

 

 More questions and answers will be found in PART TWO