COMPLEMENTARY AND TRAITEMENTS

ALTERNATIVE VETERINARY COMPLEMENTAIRES

MEDICINE ET PARALLELES

Veterinary homeopathy: An overview

Wanda G. Vockeroth
Introduction despite this, homeopathy became well known through-
In recent years, people in North America have increas- out Europe and America, and, by the early 1 900s, was
ingly been seeking nonconventional therapies for well established in India. During the 1900s, however, the
themselves and their pets. Although alternative therapies practice of homeopathy gradually died out in North
have been recognized and accepted for much longer in America, partly due to burgeoning interest in technologic
European countries and other parts of the world than in advances, partly due to continuing opposition by allo-
North America, the growing interest in North America pathic practitioners and associations, anu partly due to
has finally caught the attention of both the medical and eclectic approaches that diverged from Dr. Hahnemann's
veterinary communities (1,2). Results of the 1997 pet classical approach and were not as effective in accom-
owner survey by the American Animal Hospital plishing cures. By the 1960s, only a few homeopaths
Association indicated that 21% of pet owners sought remained in North America. In Europe, however, home-
some form of alternative care for their pet, while results opathy remained an established treatment modality.
of a 1997 survey on the Internet showed that 23% of The Royal London Homeopathic Hospital has continued
responding pet owners would use alternative care as the to operate and, in India, homeopathy has thrived, partially
primary therapy for their pets (1). due to the lower cost of homeopathic medicines and
homeopathy's nonreliance on expensive technologies.
Homeopathy has been used in veterinary medicine in
History Britain since the early 1900s; in North America, it has
Homeopathy has existed in various forms since ancient seen an increase in usage only in the last 20 years. A pro-
times. References to the use of homeopathic principles fessional course in veterinary homeopathy has been
exist in records from ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Incas, offered annually in the United States for the past 7 years;
Aztecs, and Native Americans (3). The basic concept of this year, a similar course will be offered in Canada.
homeopathy, the "principle of similars," was described
and used by Hippocrates (4). A variety of practices
based on homeopathic principles have been described What is homeopathy?
over centuries, but homeopathy was not organized and Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the prin-
practised in a systematic way until the late 1 800s, when ciple of similars; that is, the symptoms or syndromes that
Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, developed a substance causes experimentally (at pharmacologic or
the science of homeopathy. Disgruntled with the con- toxic doses) are those that it may resolve in individuals
ventional medical practices of the time, he turned to experiencing similar symptoms and syndromes when it
translating new and old medical texts to support himself. is given in specially prepared, exceedingly small doses.
In the course of translating these works, he was exposed The word "homeopathy" is derived from the Greek
to some of the principles of homeopathy. He began to words "homios" meaning "similar," and "pathos" mean-
experiment by using smaller and smaller doses of vari- ing "disease or suffering." In practising homeopathy, the
ous herbs, first on himself, and then on a growing num- symptoms that an animal exhibits are all-important in
ber of friends and colleagues who volunteered to help as choosing the appropriate remedy to stimulate a healing
they began to see beneficial effects from some of these response. Whereas, in conventional medicine, the think-
"homeopathic" medicines. Hahnemann carefully recorded ing may assume that symptoms or signs represent the dis-
all of his work, and continued to read and develop the- ease itself and need to be controlled or eliminated, in
ories about homeopathic treatment, which he would homeopathy, a symptom or sign is seen, not as the dis-
research and test throughout his life. As word of his ease itself, but as a signal of it. Removing or suppress-
accomplishments spread, students and physicians from ing a symptom or sign does not necessarily affect or
all over Europe went to study and work with him. remove the cause of the symptom or sign, in the same
Because homeopathy is based on such opposing prin- way that unplugging a car's low oil warning light does
ciples, homeopaths faced a great deal of adverse criticism not resolve the actual problem with the car. Therefore,
from practitioners of allopathic or conventional therapies; homeopathy can be looked on as a method of individu-
alizing a medicine for a patient; it is a system of finding
a medicine that fits the totality of physical and psy-
Elbow Valley Pet Hospital, 4016-16th St. SW, Calgary, chological signs seen in a patient, in order to effect a cure
Alberta T2T 4H4. in a deep and lasting way.
592 Can Vet J Volume 40, August 1999
 Mechanisms and theory infections and allergies, and if used appropriately, may
In choosing a homeopathic remedy, all of an animal's even be effective in the treatment of immune-mediated
clinical signs, even those that are seemingly unrelated to disorders.
the primary problem, are taken into consideration, on the Although homeopathy may be most effective in the
principle that all of the symptoms are "signs" of the treatment of conditions in which serious pathology has
body's reaction to external stimuli or internal imbalances. not yet occurred in the patient's system, it can also be
These symptoms are gathered together and analyzed; then very helpful in the treatment of many chronic conditions,
the remedy most appropriate to the case is chosen by such as arthritis and spondylosis. Homeopathy can also
comparison with descriptions of remedies that have be helpful in palliating discomfort associated with cancer.
been catalogued over the years. The chosen remedy is In large animals, indications are much the same.
then administered per os in the appropriate strength or Homeopathy can deal with many of the acute and
"potency." Often, only a single dose of a remedy is chronic medical conditions seen in cattle and horses. It
necessary, for if it is the "similimum," that is, the rem- may be a useful therapy in some common conditions,
edy that exactly matches the signs and the disease such as downer syndrome in cows, mastitis, and colic in
process affecting the animal, it can give the animal's life
horses. Remedies generally come in the form of tiny
force the "push" it needs to heal itself. tablets or liquid and are designed to be absorbed through
The greatest obstacle to homeopathy is in under- the tongue or gums and not put down the throat; since
standing the concept of the principle of similars. It neither tablets nor liquid has much taste, administration
seems unlikely that giving a dose of a substance that
is usually quite easy. Homeopathic remedies are very safe
creates signs similar to those an animal is showing to use. Generally, no side effects are observed, if the rem-
could actually heal it. However, because signs may be edy is used correctly. However, in the hands of persons
adaptive responses of an animal against infection or with little or no knowledge of homeopathy, remedies may
stress, by using minute doses of a substance known to be overused or, much more commonly, the wrong rem-
cause similar signs one rpay in fact augment the defen- edy is used, and no effect at all will be seen. This obvi-
sive response. Conventional medicine applies this prin- ously does not harm the patient, but it does it no good
ciple to some extent in the application of immunization either and is one of the reasons why, in the recent past,
and allergy hyposensitization. Homeopathic remedies are homeopathy was seen as a treatment with little or no
prepared from a variety of different substances, includ- effectiveness.
ing herbs, minerals, and animal products, such as bee In potentially life-threatening conditions, such as
venom or cuttlefish ink. The substances are diluted epilepsy or bloat, the appropriate therapy can be as
repeatedly and agitated numerous times, so that only a effective as conventional medication, but since it is
miniscule amount, if any, of the original substance is imperative that the correct remedy be chosen and
actually present in the final product. This process is response times be understood, conditions such as these
called "potentization," and homeopaths have observed should only be treated under the direct observation of a
that the more a substance is potentized, the more deeply qualified and experienced homeopath.
the medicine acts and the fewer the doses that are nec-
essary for treatment. This concept also seems contrary Summary
to logic, but recent research in the field of biochemistry
has shown that very diluted substances can have powerful Complementary and alternative therapies, including
effects on the physical body (3). Also, recent advances homeopathy, have a definite place in veterinary medicine
in physics have opened the way for scientific explana- today. The public is demanding access to a full range of
tions of the actions of homeopathic remedies in physi- conventional and complementary therapies, and the
cal systems (3). There has been more laboratory and clin- best scenario is to have all therapies available, for there
ical research into homeopathic medicine than most is a place and a need for all of them in the right situation.
scientists realize (see (3) for overview). Although much In my own practice, I use both alternative and conven-
more research and clinical work are needed, studies
tional therapies, as well as referring patients to spe-
already done provide a good scientific basis to which cialists for services such as ultrasound and surgery. I
practitioners can refer for an insight into homeopathy. believe that the wave of the future is to have veterinar-
ians skilled in both complementary and conventional
therapies, and to have veterinary practitioners who are
Applications in practice well enough educated to be able to treat the majority of
Homeopathy can be used to treat a surprising number of their patients, but who are willing to refer to the appro-
conditions in both large and small animals. It can be used priate "specialist," if the case and the client demand it.
as therapy in trauma and acute injuries; for example, in Veterinarians are definitely becoming more aware
sprains, concussions, and insect stings. In such cases, the of the need for and showing more interest in alternative
appropriate homeopathic remedy can minimize or elim- medicine. There are currently several associations in
inate swelling and pain, and shorten recovery time. It can North America for veterinarians with an interest in
be used in many types of inflammatory conditions, complementary therapies. In 1998, the International
such as acute and chronic diarrhea, chronic gingivitis, Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) boasted 1400
acute and chronic respiratory conditions, and other members, and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical
conditions that may or may not be responsive to con- Association (AHVMA) over 800 (1). There are pro-
ventional therapies. Homeopathy can be used to treat fessional courses in veterinary acupuncture, chiroprac-
all types of acute and chronic skin conditions, including tic, and homeopathy, all 150-200 hours in length, which
Can Vet J Volume 40, August 1999 593
provide a good basic understanding of these modalities. 3. Vilhoulkas G. The Science of Homeopathy. New York: Grove
In most of these modalities, there is also advanced Pr, 1980.
4. Coulter HL. Homeopathic Medicine and Modem Science. Berkeley:
training. North Atlantic Books, 1980.
Conventional teaching institutions are recognizing
the need to have veterinarians well versed in all aspects
of veterinary medicine. Colorado State University has
offered elective courses for students and on-site courses
for practitioners on alternative therapies for 3 years (1).
These are designed to teach veterinarians what the
alternative modalities are, whether they are effective, and
what it takes to become qualified to practise them.
The overriding goal in most veterinarians' minds is to
heal animals and provide the best in care, so that animals
can live healthy productive lives. Education to keep
up with new therapies and medications is paramount to
this goal. It follows easily that knowledge of noninvasive
treatments with few or no side effects that have the
potential to heal animals should be welcomed, and
homeopathy, as well as other complementary thera-
pies, fits this description. .....::I
References ...then you're not getting the latest updates
on new products (many now available
1. Hawn R. Alternative and complementary veterinary medicine. through our merger with Henry Schein), super
Trends Magazine 1998; February/March: 18-24. pricing and exceptional discounts on many of
2. Evans L. Another side of 'cience. Trends Magazine 1998;
February/March: 30-33. our time-proven items.
3. Ullman D. Homeopathic medicine: Principles and research. To reserve your free copy, please call one of
In Schoen AM, Wynn SG eds: Complementary and Alternative our customer representatives today.
Veterinary Medicine: Principles and Practice. St. Louis: Mosby,
1998: 469-484.
4. Dooley T. Homeopathy, Beyond Flat Earth Medicine. San Diego:
Timing Publ, 1995: 34. A& IL
A Division of Henry Schein Arcona

180 Werlich Ave., Cambridge, Ontario NiT 1N6

Suggestions for further reading 1-800-461-9383 * Fax (519) 623-5272
1. Schoen AM, Wynn SG, eds. Complementary and Alternative
Veterinary Medicine: Principles and Practice. St. Louis: Mosby,
1998.
2. Dooley T. Homeopathy, Beyond Flat Earth Medicine. San Diego:
Timing Publ, 1995.

BOOK REVIEW COMPTE RENDU DE LIVRE

Watson T, ed. Metabolic and Endocrine Problems of the tise. Subsequent editions would be more complete with
Horse. WB Saunders, Toronto, Ontario, 1998. 227 pp. discussions of hypocalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, and
0-7020-2241-1. $117.00 CDN. anhidrosis.
This is a good quality publication, hardbound and
this recent publication covers laminitis, hyperlipemia, 227 pages. The price and selective scope of the book will
I pituitary gland disorders, adrenal gland disorders, not make it essential or practical for all practitioners and
thyroid gland disorders, rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemic students of veterinary medicine to own. It is an excellent
periodic paralysis, hepatobiliary disease, renal disease, resource of reference material. It is particularly useful for
endotoxemia, fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, and teachers, specialists in equine internal medicine, and any-
assessment of nutritional status in horses. The subjects one with an interest in equine medicine in general.
are covered thoroughly, with current understanding of
pathophysiological mechanisms, treatment recommen- Reviewed by Wendy M. Duckett, DVM, MSc, Dipl.
dations, and therapeutic approaches. The references ACVIM, Associate Professor, Atlantic Veterinary
are extensive and current. The contributing authors are College, University of Prince Edward, 550 University
excellent and internationally recognized for their exper- Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island CIA 4P3.
594 Can Vot J Volumo 40, August 1999