Conventional or allopathic medicine focuses on covering up usually just one symptom or disease label at a time. Homeopathy focuses on every aspect of the individual - physical, mental and emotional symptoms, behavioral issues and characteristics. It works towards curing the whole person or animal - analogous to melting an iceberg, rather than just chopping of parts of the iceberg. We give a “remedy” which creates symptoms similar to what the patient is having. (“Homeo” means similar. “Pathos” means suffering.) The symptoms ideally resolve and the patient is even better than before. In allopathy or conventional medicine, a drug is given to suppress or cover up individual symptoms, making the patient worse overall. (“Allo” means “anti” or the opposite of.) Even if one symptom is temporarily better, the patient is not better overall.

When there are permanent physical changes such as severe arthritis, hip dysplasia, advanced cancer or another situation that requires surgery, homeopathy can still be used to help address pain, discomfort and slow down the disease process, however those permanent changes will not be reversed.

Approximately one hour.

Usually around 15- 30 minutes

It depends on the severity and chronicity of the case. In a severe acute situation, we could be speaking very often- even a few times per day. In a long term chronic situation, we might speak initially every 2-4 weeks.

Treatment time is determined by several factors, - the severity of the disease, how long it has been occurring, the age of the pet, and past suppressive/harmful treatments that may have interfered with healing. Treatment may last a few weeks for a more acute or “simple” situation such as a sprain or strain. Treatment may last for years for a chronic condition.

Be observant of your pet. Of course, you know their personality characteristics, how they react with strange dogs or cats, where they are in the “totem pole” of pets in your home. What are the symptoms you observe at home especially paying attention to “sidedness”. Which side is worse? Which eye has the worst discharge? Which ear has more ear wax? Which side is more itchy? There are many questions I will ask you, most of which you will know. Some you may not, but can observe and get back with me.  In addition, I will ask that the medical records from any previous veterinarians be emailed to me. Sometimes these notes can be helpful, sometimes not. For example, if the practitioner wrote down that your pet had a greenish discharge in the left ear in 2018, this can be very helpful to me. It might not be something you would remember.

Homeopathy is very specific to the individual, not the name of the disease. For example, 10 dogs with “allergies” would likely all receive a different homeopathic remedy. Each patient expresses their symptoms differently - where on the body the itching is occurring? does it occur at a certain time of day or night? Is it associated with a hot or cold environment? What are the personality characteristics of the pet, and how does that change with the disease? Everything that has happened in the past is also important.

Usually orally. No food for a few minutes before and after because the remedy must touch the mucous membranes.  Sometimes, the animal is too aggressive or fearful. In those instances, we can give the remedy in their drinking water. For wild animals and birds, we can spray the remedy on their feathers or skin and they will groom themselves afterwards, ingesting the remedy.

Your pet may experience an immediate and perhaps dramatic improvement within hours to days. Your pet may experience gradual improvement over weeks or months. The speed of recovery depends in part on how long your pet has been sick. Your pet may not have any, or only a partial improvement and may require a different potency or remedy.

Homeopathy is a safe form of treatment in that there are no chemicals or drugs in the remedies so there are no side effects. There may be temporary aggravations after taking the remedy. While these might seem uncomfortable for your pet at the time, they are generally a very positive sign and are only a temporary part of the healing process. It is best to let them run their course as this leads to the quickest cure. There may be a discharge or other change as part of the healing process. This is particularly common where there has been some form of suppression in the past. The problem may be physical, e.g. diarrhea, eye, ear, nasal or skin discharge, or it may be behavioral, e.g. change in sleeping location, new fears, etc. This is healthy and is a sign that your pet is getting rid of accumulated “toxins.” It may be difficult to watch, but please interfere with it as little as possible. After successful constitutional therapy, the body often goes back and “cleans up” old problems that have never been properly resolved. Old complaints may resurface briefly, in reverse order from which they appeared, e.g. there may be a brief episode of straining to urinate if your pet had cystitis at some point in the past. It is very important not to interfere with these symptoms. Doing so will stop the curative process.

Remedies will typically have an expiration date printed on the label. This is done only to satisfy FDA requirements. If the remedy/kit is handled properly, it will last indefinitely. Remedies made 20 years ago are just as effective as those made today, as long as they are handled properly. Keep remedies away from heat (eg: in the mailbox, in a hot car, in direct sunlight). It has been said that if you wrap the remedy kit in a down jacket, it helps to preserve them in the heat. Keep remedies away from a microwave oven - even when it is not on. Magnets inside the oven can ruin the remedy. Also keep remedies away from strong essential oils (eg: minty substances such as tea tree oil, strong peppermint, pennyroyal) and strong chemicals and cleaning products. Linen closets can be a good location to keep remedies.