Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (73 page)

What are the causes of this overall disorder?

• Toxicity—probably most of it from poor-quality food and some of it from other sources, like environmental pollutants and deliberately applied pest control chemicals.
  
• Vaccinations—inducing immune disor ders in susceptible animals.
  
• Suppressed disease—remains of an inadequately treated condition that never was cured and that may periodically discharge through the skin.
  
• Psychological factors—boredom, frustration, anger, and irritability. As I see it, however, these are nearly always secondary issues that simply aggravate an already-existing problem.
  

It is possible to alleviate or even eliminate skin problems simply through fasting, proper nutrition, and the total health plan suggested in this book. It is surprising how much improvement can occur by these measures alone.

The homeopathic remedies listed below can also provide a real boost to healing. However, severe cases often require individualized treatment beyond the scope of this discussion; seek out a veterinarian who is skillful in the use of homeopathy, acupuncture, or other alternative therapies. You can find veterinarians trained in the use of homeopathy on my Web site, www.drpitcairn.com.

The most difficult conditions to treat are those previously dosed with lots of cortisone or its synthetic forms (azium, depo, flucort, prednisone, or prednisolone). Corticosteroids effectively suppress symptoms like inflammation and itching, but are in no sense curative. You may not know if your animal has received cortisone, because your veterinarian may have used terms like anti-itch shots or flea allergy pills. They usually look like clear or milky-white injections or little pink or white tablets. If you have good communication with your veterinarian, ask if he or she is giving your pet steroids. Generally, a natural approach will not work well if you also continue cortisone therapy.

Another typical treatment is a series of allergy desensitization injections with solutions made from the common flea or other suspected allergens. Sometimes they help, but often as not the relief is partial and not
as satisfactory as eliminating the problem entirely.

T
REATMENT

For an animal with acutely inflamed, irritated skin (“hot spots”) that is otherwise in good condition, start with a fast. Use the directions in Chapter 15, breaking the fast after five to seven days for a dog and after three to five days for a cat. This fast mimics natural conditions in which wild predators’ bodies have a chance to clean out between hunts. It also removes the demand on the system to both digest food and deal with the disorder at the same time.

Afterward, carefully introduce natural foods, as described in chapters 3 and 4. This healthier diet will supply needed nutrients and help to rebuild damaged tissue. Be sure all your ingredients are fresh and of high quality. Emphasize raw foods as much as possible.

The standard supplements in our diet are all helpful for skin problems, but the following will be especially useful. Be sure to include nutritional yeast and granular lecithin (both found in the Healthy Powder, cod-liver oil, cold-pressed unsaturated vegetable oil (or oil derived from fish, especially for cats), and vitamin E (or wheat-germ capsules). It would also be wise to include 5 to 20 milligrams daily of chelated zinc. In addition, vitamin C is very helpful—give 500 to 2,000 milligrams a day, depending on your dog’s size.

It helps to clip away the hair on severely inflamed areas and give a bath with nonirritating soap (not a medicated flea soap; use a natural organic soap as described in chapter 7). After drying the skin, apply a poultice or wash the area frequently with a preparation of black or green tea. It supplies tannic acid, which helps to dry up the moist places. Two to three times a day, or as needed, you also can smear on some vitamin E oil or fresh aloe vera gel (from the living plant or in a liquid preparation found in health food stores).

These homeopathic remedies are helpful for the time when symptoms flare up. (Other medicines are required to completely cure the tendency.)

Homeopathic
—
Rhus toxicodendron
(poison ivy, poison oak) 6C: Use Homeopathic Schedule 2 (
view
). Suitable as a temporary medicine when itching flares up and is very intense. There tends to be swelling of the skin and relief from applying warm compresses.

Homeopathic
—
Graphites
(a form of carbon) 6C: Use Homeopathic Schedule 2 (
view
). This remedy is indicated when the “hot spots” ooze a sticky, thick discharge, about the consistency of honey.

Homeopathic
—
Mercurius vivus
(or
solubilis
) (mercury, quicksilver) 6C: Use Homeopathic Schedule 2 (
view
). Use this one if there’s a pus-like yellowish or greenish discharge. Also, the hair will tend to fall out around the eruptions, leaving raw, bleeding areas. The condition is usually worse in hot weather or in very warm living quarters. Frequently
these animals will have red gums, problems with the teeth, and very bad smelling breath.

Homeopathic
—
Arsenicum album
6C: This remedy suits dogs with skin eruptions that cause a great deal of restlessness and discomfort. They seem to be driven almost insane—constantly chewing, licking, and scratching. The skin lesions are very red and dry with loss of hair and an “eating away” of the skin, leaving angry red sores. Especially indicated if the dog becomes very thirsty and chilly as well. Use Homeopathic Schedule 2 (
view
).

For the animal with a long-term, low-grade condition of itchy, greasy, or dry and scaly skin (who may also have an underactive thyroid), start by fasting it one day every week, offering only broth (see chapter 15). The rest of the time feed only natural foods and supplements. It’s important that you don’t give any commercial foods or supplements with questionable ingredients (see chapter 2), because part of your pet’s problem may be a hypersensitivity or allergy to artificial additives or processed ingredients. For example, many animals will have allergic reactions to cooked, but not raw, meat.

If the skin is greasy and foul-smelling, bathe your pet as often as once a week, as described in chapter 7. If the skin is dry, bathe less often. Also, be sure to control fleas (see “Skin Parasites”), using the lemon rinse described in chapter 7.

Constipation or sluggish bowels may also be contributing to the problem. If they are, address that first. Use one of the following two remedies.

Herbal
—Garlic (
Allium sativum
): Give daily ¼ to 1 whole clove (fresh grated or minced) or 1 to 3 small garlic capsules. You can continue giving garlic indefinitely, as it also discourages fleas.

Homeopathic
—
Nux vomica
6C: Give 1 pellet before each meal, as needed, until bowels are regular (see also “Constipation”). If it is going to help, you will notice improvement within a few days.

If constipation or “hot spots” are not the present problem, then try working with one of these treatments.

Homeopathic
—
Sulphur
(the element) 6C: Use Homeopathic Schedule 6(a) (
view
). This remedy is very helpful for the average case of dry, itchy skin, especially if your dog tends to be thin, “lazy,” and not very clean, with red-looking eyes, nose, or lips. These animals generally don’t like a lot of heat, but sometimes will seek out a warm stove in cooler weather.

Homeopathic
—
Pulsatilla
6C: Use Homeopathic Schedule 6(a) (
view
). Those animals needing this medicine will be easy-going, good natured, and affectionate. Their symptoms tend to be worse when eating rich or fatty food, and it is noticed that they rarely drink water. Often there is a preference for lying on cool surfaces as well.

Homeopathic
—
Graphites
(a form of carbon) 6C: Use Homeopathic Schedule 6(a) (
view
). These dogs tend to be overweight, constipated, and easily overheated.
Eruptions ooze sticky fluid. The skin is easily inflamed, even by slight injuries like scratches, and it does not heal easily. The ears can be plagued with irritation, a bad smell, and waxy discharge.

Homeopathic
—
Thuya
(or
Thuja
)
occidentalis
(arborvitae) 30C: Use Homeopathic Schedule 4 (
view
). This remedy is an antidote to illness following vaccinations. Many of the animals I treat developed their skin problems within a few weeks after being vaccinated. I find that giving this remedy occasionally during treatment really helps such dogs recover. Another time to consider Thuya (or Thuja) is when other medicines have not done much good. If so, giving Thuya and then going back to one of the above remedies will sometimes result in progress.

Homeopathic
—
Silicea
(silicon dioxide, quartz) 30C: If the problem persists in spite of the advice given so far, especially if there is an excessive appetite, stealing food, scavenging—even leading to being overweight—then this medicine will be of use. Use Homeopathic Schedule 4 (
view
). Do not repeat this medicine.

Note:
In general, these deeply ingrained skin conditions require patience and persistence. You will usually see clear, beneficial effects from the program within six to eight weeks.

Because vaccines tend to aggravate the condition, it is very important to avoid them during the treatment period. Sometimes medicines like those used for heartworm prevention will set off an attack. In this case it is best to use the monthly type of heart-worm medication and give it only every six weeks (or stop using it altogether in severe cases).

Some obstinate cases will not completely recover no matter how long you treat them (though they will generally improve). These need more individualized treatment with other homeopathic remedies or one of the holistic approaches described in chapter 14. If you can, find a skilled professional to help.

For the animal suffering hair loss, try a slightly different program. Sometimes a pet will just begin to lose hair without any other apparent problem. Or the hair loss could be the result of poisoning—not necessarily the intentional kind, but rather the accumulation of toxic substances that may affect sensitive individuals. Common agents to consider include fluoride (in some drinking water and commercial pet foods; see chapter 8) and aluminum (from use of aluminum bowls or cooking utensils). Sensitivity to aluminum seems to vary, and not all animals show this reaction. Those that are poisoned by aluminum tend to have constipation problems as well.

It is also possible for hair loss to reflect a disturbance in the endocrine glands (especially hypothyroidism) or a deficiency of a certain nutrient. If your veterinarian has diagnosed either of these problems, then feed only the natural diet with added kelp powder. This is particularly important, because the powder’s iodine content will help
to stimulate the thyroid. Give ½ to 2 teaspoons of kelp powder daily (amounts depend on your animal’s size). In addition, give 250 to 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C twice a day to aid detoxification and 5 to 20 milligrams of chelated zinc once a day to enhance the elimination of heavy metals. Discontinue use of aluminum utensils and fluoridated water (call your water company to find out if your tap water is so treated; if it is, use bottled or spring water).

If you have addressed all these things—nutrition, toxicity, water pollution—and your animal still has hair loss (not caused by scratching or chewing), then try these homeopathic remedies. Use Homeopathic Schedule 4, (
view
), for all these remedies.

Homeopathic
—
Thuya
(or
Thuja
)
occidentalis
(arborvitae) 30C: Try
Thuya
first because it is an antidote to the effects of vaccination, which is the primary reason for a persistently poor hair coat or for poor hair growth. (Sometimes hair loss is at a normal rate, but the issue is that no new hair grows in to replace it; in such a case this remedy is especially suitable.)

Homeopathic
—
Selenium
(the element) 30C: Indicated for excessive hair loss with no new growth, especially if there are no other symptoms of illness. Use it after trying
Thuya
(or
Thuja
—see above), if that remedy has not been sufficient to resolve the problem.

If an animal develops the hair loss soon after giving birth, then use:

Homeopathic
—
Sepia
(cuttlefish ink) 30C. Give one dose.

SPAYING AND NEUTERING

Spaying is a surgery to remove a female’s ovaries and uterus to prevent pregnancy and to eliminate her heats (periods of sexual receptivity). Neutering, or castration, removes a male’s testes (leaving the scrotum, or sac) to prevent reproduction and to reduce aggression, wandering, and territorial behaviors. Both operations are performed painlessly under anesthesia, and recovery is usually rapid and uneventful. Natural treatments can help ease the process.

If your pet is slow to wake up, groggy, or nauseous after surgery, give:

Homeopathic
—
Phosphorus
(the element) 30C: Use Homeopathic Schedule 2 (
view
). Response is usually fast—from a few minutes to an hour. Stop treatment as soon as there is apparent improvement.

If your pet has discomfort, pain, or restless behavior on returning home, try:

Homeopathic
—
Arnica
(mountain daisy) 30C: Use Homeopathic Schedule 2 (
view
). In addition to
Arnica
, I often use Dr. Bach’s rescue formula, 2 drops 4 times a day for 2 to 3 days.