In the beginning you may not know what products to try, but a veterinary homeopath can advise you. He will match your dog's symptom with the appropriate remedy. In time you'll come to know the common ones.

Working with a Homeopathic Veterinarian

A homeopathic veterinarian will closely assess your dog's total condition and monitor the results. Your veterinarian should be certified by the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy to insure that he is trained in using homeopathy to treat chronic illnesses and injuries. You should feel comfortable with your veterinarian and be confident that he knows how to treat your dog.

Although some veterinary homeopaths will discuss your dog's case over the telephone, it's best to meet with a veterinarian so he can see the dog for himself. However, if you don't live near a veterinarian who is trained in homeopathy, a phone call will have to do.

To choose the best prescription, your doctor will depend on you, as your dog's primary caregiver, to provide as much information about your dog's condition as you possibly can. You'll need to pay close attention to everything your dog does. Ask your doctor what information he needs exactly. Most likely he'll want you to observe every physical symptom your dog shows and how she acts. Be sure to jot down the time of day and how often you observe a behavior, such as every other day or once a week.

Take note of any conditions that improve or worsen the symptoms, such as changes in your dog's food, weather, and the presence of other dogs. Note whether she craves affection from you or prefers to be left alone. It helps if you can be as objective as possible. You might be tempted to interpret your dog's actions as signals that the homeopathic remedies are working, but your job is to write down what you see and let the veterinarian make the judgments. The more objective information your veterinarian has, the easier it is for him to evaluate your dog's treatment.

Buying a Remedy

Many veterinary homeopaths can supply you with the remedy you need, but if you need to buy them on your own, you can find most homeopathic remedies at any local well-stocked health food store. They typically come in two forms: liquid and small pellets or pills. The pellets are coated with a few drops of an alcohol stock solution.

Administering

There are three ways to administer a homeopathic remedy. Drop the pellets in his mouth, dissolve the liquid or the pellets in a small amount of distilled water, or grind them into a powder between two spoons and add to milk and let him lick it out of a bowl or pour into your dog's mouth. If you decide to pop a few into your dog's mouth, don't pour them directly into your hand as this may lessen their effectiveness. Instead, put them into the bottle cap, and then into the dog's mouth.

If you dissolve them in water, use an eyedropper or a spoon to give them to your dog. To give your dog either the liquid or the powder, gently pull his lower lip away from his teeth and place the eyedropper or pellets between the cheek and the gum. The remedy is absorbed in the mucous membranes and the healing energy works its way into the system.

Train your dog to allow you to touch his mouth. Start by petting him gently beneath his chin and around his face and lips for a few minutes each day. Progress to lifting the lip on one side of his mouth for just a brief minute and lower it. Be sure to tell your dog he's a good boy after each handling so he knows this is what you want him to do.

Unlike conventional drugs, homeopathic remedies are pleasant-tasting so you don't have to worry too much that your dog will spit them out. Fortunately, there are many homeopathic remedies that can be applied topically, such as arnica gel and calendula.

Doses

Dosing your dog with the correct frequency is even more important than finding the right potency. The frequency depends on the severity of her condition. If your dog has an acute problem, such as shock, infection, or high fever, she needs to see the veterinarian right away. Until you transport her to the doctor, you can give her a remedy every fifteen minutes to help her condition. Call your veterinarian and ask what the correct dosage is.

With less serious cases, a dose once or twice a day should suffice. You should see some relief within a day. If not, it's possible you've chosen the wrong remedy and you'll need to re-evaluate your dog's symptoms, consult with your veterinarian, and pick another one.

If your dog has a chronic condition and a veterinarian has examined her, the recommended dose may be given once a day. You should see some relief within two to three days. For dogs that have been sick for several days, the signs of improvement may not be readily apparent. If, after four to five days, you don't notice any improvement, consult your veterinarian to see if you should increase the number of doses to twice a day.

Observe your dog's condition and if you still don't notice any improvement within three days, try a higher potency. If your dog's condition has not improved after a week, consult with your veterinarian. She will most likely recommend another remedy. If your dog improves, reduce the number of doses. Occasionally, the original symptoms may return. If so, one dose of the remedy should help the condition.