Our animal companions often have a great sense of curiosity and it is not surprising that their inquisitiveness gets them into trouble. Puppies, kittens, ferrets, etc take great delight in chasing what may appear a tiny, non-threatening, creature but, alas, some of these creatures pack a potent defensive punch.
Prompt treatment and recognition that even apparently minor bites or stings can have fatal results are the keys to a good outcome following an encounter. Severe tissue trauma, nerve damage, continuous bleeding, infection, or toxic responses can have nasty consequences if neglected. Anaphylaxis, a life threatening condition, is another major consideration for animals that display unfavourable allergic reactions. Multiple stings multiply risk. A poor medical history also increases risk. If there is any doubt as to what treatment is required, professional medical assessment should be sought immediately! Hospitalisation and surgery may be necessary.
Homoeopathic remedies can play an important role in treatment by reducing effects and buying precious time when seeking veterinary attention for serious situations. Discussion of full first-aid procedures for caring for bites and stings is beyond the scope of this article. The following is neither a complete nor comprehensive listing but will offer some useful tips on some of the most common natural remedies that can offer help. Your holistic animal health care provider can assist with many more options and lesser-known remedies for the more serious bites and stings that can occur.
Animal bites and other common bites and stings
Topical:
• HyperCal (hypericum and calendula tincture) in a dilution in water of 1:10 makes an excellent topical bathing disinfectant while promoting healing.
• Juice of vegetable leek for bites, stings, and poisoned wounds (sempervivum is the homoeopathic, used in tincture-3x potency). On/off cold compresses relieve and minimise swelling.
• Lemon balm, chickweed cream, stinging nettle juice, and tobacco juice are traditional treatments for relief of insect bites or stings.
Oral:
• Aconite is a fine initial remedy if the animal is fearful and panicky after being bitten or stung, and can be followed by another bite or sting remedy such as ledum.
• Ledum alternated with hypericum helps address puncture type wounds, bruising, shooting pains and nerve damage, and acts preventatively against tetanus. Ledum needs cool bathing even if the part appears cool to touch, whereas urtica urens is worse for cool bathing?
• Arnica for bruising, bleeding, infection, trauma, shock and fear of being approached.
• Belladonna has violent symptoms with rapid onset, throbbing pains, agitation, restlessness and fearfulness.
• Gunpowder (homoeopathic) is one of several remedies for bites or stings that have become septic, boil-like or abscessed.
• Calendula in a low-medium potency will prove beneficial in completing the closure of wounds or when there are torn muscles.
• Echinacea in very low potency helps minimise allergic reactions and infection while increasing the immune response (often used for snake bite).
Vitamin C (preferably ‘Ester C’) provides anti-inflammatory effects and boosts the liver’s ability to filter out toxins. Large doses of injectable vitamin C are reputed to be of great assistance in highly toxic cases such as snake or spider bite.
Bee and wasp stings
Topical:
• Diluted urtica urens, apis-mel, or pyrethrum tincture.
• Bicarb soda and water paste is alkalising and acts to reduce pain and swelling, draw out toxins and help neutralise some of the inflammatory agents in the acid toxins of bee stings.
• Vinegar, diluted ammonia, or slices of onion treat the alkaline wasp sting.
• Biochemic nat-mur 3x-6x rubbed after putting a drop of water at the sting site can give immediate relief.
• On/off cold compresses relieve pain and minimise swelling.
Oral:
• Apis-mel is a safe first choice, especially for bee stings and oedematous swellings when there is heat, a rosy-red hue, sensitivity to touch and relief from cool applications. If apis fails to provide relief use ledum and/or hypericum.
• In cases threatening with anaphylactic shock where apis-mel has provided no result use Carbolic acidum in a high potency.
• Vespa (homoeopathic wasp) is specific for wasp stings; pain as if pierced with red-hot needles gives a good description of this remedy. (Arsencium and apis share this symptom too.)
Mosquitoes and fleas
Topical:
• Nat-mur 3x-6x.
• Avon’s ‘Skin so Soft’ is successful for soothing irritated, itchy skin.
An infusion of yellow dock, cooled chamomile or yarrow tea can also help.
Don’t forget good old calamine lotion, distilled witch hazel, apple cider vinegar, or aloe vera gel.
Oral:
• Ledum, especially when the symptoms are worse for scratching.
• Caladium for burning, itching sensations with a desire to touch but not scratch.
• Staphysagria for very sensitive skin from multiple insect bites and the animal can become distressed from touch.
• Nat-mur for itching and prickling, nettle-like rashes, that are worse after exercise and heat.
Note: a remedy is not homoeopathic when based on ailment name alone, but when individualised to the specifics.
Caution: There are a host of natural repellents to ward off blood-sucking insects. Some of these include diluted essential oils, herbs, and dietary additives. Pennyroyal is inadvisable to use, even topically, with pregnant animals as it may increase the risk of miscarriage. Some animals may be sensitive or allergic to essential oils or some herbs. Before using any new formula, test it on a small part of the animal’s skin first. Strong, aromatic essential oils or herbs may antidote homoeopathics.
