Use of Homeopathy in Large Animal Practice
Mohanambal K, Sumathi D, Sasikala K, Ravi R and Ponnu Swamy K K
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine
Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
The role of homeopathic medicine in veterinary care remains uncertain, yet interest in its potential continues to grow. Homeopathic remedies are often used for udder diseases in cattle and buffaloes, including Phytolacca 200c, Calcarea fluorica 200c, Silicea 30c, Belladonna 30c, Bryonia 30c, Arnica 30c, Conium 30c, and Ipecacuanha 30c (Varshney and Naresh, 2003). As per Aubry et al. (2013) combination of Belladonna, Calendula, Echinacea and Dulcamara are effective in treating early stage of mammary inflammation in dairy cows with said doses. In addition to that a thelitis affected Murrah buffalo was successfully treated with combination of Arnica, Phytolacca and Bryonia homeopathic treatment for three weeks which was unresponsive to conventional drugs (Mohanambal et al., 2024). The above cases highlights the uses of homeopathic drugs as viable alternative where allopathic drug fails to yield recognized results.
In recent year, homeopathy plays main role in managing various disease condition of animal including the recent outbreak of Lumpy skin disease (LSD). Homeopathic medicines such as, Rhus Toxicodendron-30C, Belladonna-30C, Thuja Occidentalis-30C, Arsenicum album-30C and Pulsatilla-30C were used by Jibachha et al. for the treatment of LSD in cattle, the affected animal showed improvement in few days and skin nodules were completely cured by this medication allows the use of homeopathic medicine in the treatment of LSD in field level. Further various clinical conditions can be managed using homeopathic medication in large animal practice. Among the homeopathic medicine Five Phos is commonly used to cure mineral deficiencies in large animals, a common clinical case in large animal practice in immediate postpartum is parturient paresis (milk fever) which is effectively managed with Calcarea phosphoric. We all know that Cicuta virosa and Conium maculatum was effectively used to manage canine distemper in dogs (Mohanambal et al., 2023), similarly in large animal practice also Cicuta virosa is used to aid in the therapy of nervous form of ketosis and Stramonium is used to control convulsions. Form early time Nux Vomica is used to treat bloat and Mercurius solubilis is prescribed to treat skin lesions such as pustules and blisters. Similarly Calendula officinalis is routinely prescribed to treat cut wounds, stab wounds and other open wounds which necessitate granulation for healing (Husnain et al., 2024).
Homeopathy is safer, non toxic, easy and user friendly alternative to conventional medicine and adjunct therapy with allopathic treatment. Homeopathy utilizes natural substances in specific doses which should be tailored to each patient with practical experience. It is highly helpful in managing chronic conditions and condition wherein only palliative therapy recommended and conventional therapy fails. They are particular useful in treating condition related to udder, skin (LSD) and rumen in ruminants. It has natural healing power and improves overall immune status of the animal. Since it is a natural product, there is minimum need to worry about its residue in meat and milk.
References
Varshney, J. P., and Naresh, R. (2004). Evaluation of a homeopathic complex in the clinical management of udder diseases of riverine buffaloes. Homeopathy, 93(01), 17-20.
Aubry, E., Issautier, M. N., Champomier, D. and Terzan, L. (2013). Early udder inflammation in dairy cows treated by a homeopathic medicine (Dolisovet®): a prospective observational pilot study. Homeopathy, 102(02), 139-144.
Mohanambal, K., Kathirvel, S., Sivaraman, S., Ravi, R. and Sumathi, D. (2024). Successful Management of Thelitis in a Buffalo Heifer Using Homeopathic Therapy. The Indian Veterinary Journal, 101(06), 45-47.
Husnain, M., Khan, H. J., Subhani, F., Zahid, S. B., Hafeez, F., Ullah, M. S., … and Ashfaq, M. T. Homeopathic Medicines for Treating Various Diseases of Bovine.
Jibachha, S., Kumar, S. P., and Kumari, S. J. A Case Study on the Clinical Management of Cow Lumpy Skin Disease Using Homeopathic Remedies.
Mohanambal, K., Geetha, M., Sibiya, G. and Selvaraju S. (2023). Evaluation of homeopathy medication in therapeutic management of canine distemper. The north east veterinarian, 21(2), 24.
