How to Homeopathically Treat a Dog With an Autoimmune Disorder

Autoimmune disorders can affect dogs in many ways. They can cause problems of the skin, blood, bones, nerves or organs. Blood chemistry panels, X-rays, ultrasounds and CT scans can all help to determine whether an autoimmune disease is causing your dog̵7;s symptoms. Veterinarians use a number of medications to treat autoimmune diseases. Some vets have specialized training that allow them to treat the animal homeopathically, with supplements and specific compounds.

  1. Homeopathic Treatment

    • Homeopathic medicine is based on the principle of using compounds that produce symptoms similar to those the illness produces. This method prescribes that the symptoms of an illness are the body̵7;s natural attempt to fight the illness. It uses tiny doses of medication to stimulate the body to fight the disease, according to Dr. Marc Bittan DVM of the HolisticVet website. The frequency and dosage of the medications vary depending on the condition being treated. Veterinarians who use homeopathic healing techniques choose from a list of thousands of medications to produce compounds specifically designed for each animal̵7;s needs. Generally, these are in the form of pills or solutions that the dog must take over a period of several weeks or months until the symptoms of the illness abate.

    Homeopathy for Autoimmune Disorders

    • The basis of homeopathic treatment for autoimmune disorders in dogs is the reduction of symptoms through cleansing and purifying the animal̵7;s body over a period of time. This method includes avoiding food preservatives and other toxins that cause the body̵7;s immune system to break down. Cleansing herbs such as echinacea, astragalus, dandelion and milk thistle help to filter toxins from the canine body, allowing the natural immune system to recover.

    Homeopathic Compounds

    • Autoimmune disorders can display a wide variety of symptoms in your dog. The homeopathic veterinarian may administer hepar sulfuris, a natural antibiotic, to fight chronic skin infections. He may give apis for inflamed joints or skin. Hypericum can help painful areas with nerve damage on the feet or tail, according to the Alternative Veterinary Medicine Center website. Rhus toxicodendrum is given for arthritis and rheumatism conditions.

    Supplements

    • As part of the ̶0;whole animal treatment̶1; of the dog, homeopathic vets prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements to strengthen the overall health of the body. Probiotics help to stabilize the digestive system for a healthy immune response. Vitamins E, C, B combinations and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids help to boost the immune system.

    Acupuncture

    • For autoimmune disorders that involve painful conditions such as arthritis, homeopathic treatments include acupuncture, the use of fine needles inserted into pressure points to block neural pathways and relieve pain. Practitioners have used acupuncture for thousands of years to relieve painful conditions. The acupuncturist leaves the needles in place for varying lengths of time and then removes them. Over a period of time, this practice can reduce the amount of pain medications your dog requires.

    Chiropractic Manipulation

    • Chiropractic manipulation is often used in conjunction with homeopathic medications to stimulate a dog̵7;s body to relieve pain from autoimmune diseases and to stimulate blood flow to diseased areas.