Homeopathy for Dog Allergies

Homeopathic treatment for dog allergies can be successful.

Homeopathy is an alternative method of treatment that was invented by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in 1790. The practice of homeopathy is done by treating ill patients with immeasurably small amounts of diluted substances, which is then thought to trigger an immune response. Homeopathy is not only practiced in humans but in animals as well. Certain homeopathic treatments have been known to relieve dogs of allergic symptoms.

Homeopathy Explained

Homeopathy is also called the science of like treating like. This means that instead of treating a sickness with drugs to reduce symptoms, a small amount of the substance that caused the initial sickness, diluted in water and alcohol, is given to a human or animal to then spark an immune response, killing the initial sickness.

Success Rate

Many people are skeptical of homeopathic treatment due to its unconventional and seemingly illogical methods. However, according to the website Allergies-In-Dogs, "while it's not 100 percent effective in every pet, homeopathic remedies do work." That said, treatment of canine allergies with homeopathy alone is rare. Instead, there is generally a balanced mixture of conventional drugs with homeopathic treatments. When these treatments prove successful, it can be difficult if not impossible to say which treatment was the catalyst for curing the allergy symptoms. As Allergies-In-Dogs.com reports, "in many cases, there is probably a positive effect from the combination of treatments." As of 2010, homeopathy clearly is successful in treating dog allergies. Further research in this area, however, could make this form of treatment more of an exact science and less of a guessing game.

Arsenicum Album

Arsenicum album is a common homeopathic treatment for dry, itchy, burning or scaly skin and coats. Treatment of these allergic symptoms with arsenicum album should cause some if not total relief. Along with the homeopathic treatment, dogs with these symptoms get relief from being exposed to warmth.

Rhus Toxicodendron

Rhus toxicodendron is also used for dogs with a variety of allergic reactions that affect the skin. The homeopathic substance in rhus toxicodendron is poison ivy. Application of rhus toxicodendron to your dog may initially cause his symptoms to flare but the symptoms should then calm and begin to heal after a few minutes.

Apis Mellifica

Apis mellifica is a homeopathic treatment used for extreme burning and itching and red, swollen sores on a dog's skin. The homeopathic ingredient in apis mellifica is honeybee venom; hence its success with eliminating sores, including bee stings. In addition to using apis mellifica, bathing your dog can help eliminate or calm these symptoms.

Other Homeopathic Treatments

Many homeopathic treatments are available over the counter at a drugstore or pharmacy. On top of the three treatments listed above, additional homeopathic treatments for dog allergies include antimonium crudum for skin lesions, hepar sulpburis for conditions involving pus and lycopodium for hair loss.

References

• Allergies In Dogs: Homeopathy
• Allergies In Dogs: Homeopathic Remedies for Dog Itching
• Boulder Therapeutics: Terminology