Page 16 - Autumn 25

continued from page 13
Animal themes in case taking
When taking a case these are the themes which stand out
for an animal case.
Competition: Being aware of hierarchy within the
household and competing with people or other pets to be
in charge. We also see this in plants such as Lycopodium
and minerals such as Platina.
Jealousy: Showing obvious concern or distress and
pushing in when other animals or humans are being given
attention. This is also seen in silver and gold series row
minerals e.g. Palladium and Aurum also plant families
such as the Solanaceae.
Territorial: Defending the home from delivery people or
visitors, dogs defending the owner or car from people or
other dogs, chasing the birds out of the garden. For cats it
is getting into fights with other cats in the neighbourhood
or simply looking out of the window and growling when
the local tom walks by. Again, the differentials are similar
to above Lycopodium, Nux Vomica and row 5 or 6 of the
periodic table.
I find that animals who prefer to sit beside a window
looking out, especially if they react when they see
approaching humans or animals, will need animal
remedies. This is most typical of snakes. It can also be seen
in animals needing minerals such as Argentum Nitricum,
more because they are anxious than the need to protect
their territory.
Sexuality: “Humping” (i.e. simulating mating) with other
animals in the house or the owner’s, or even more
embarrassing a visitor’s, leg. Some animals have a “love”
toy or cushion. If the patient is entire this kind of behaviour
14 14 14
is normal but worth noting. I consider it more of unusual
and worth noting, but not uncommon if the patient is
neutered. Other remedies that can be prescribed for the
oversexed behaviours include Solanaceae, Staphysagria,
Lilies, Zincum Metallicum and Medorrhinum.
Prey drive: I find this can be a very important indicator of
an animal case. Some dogs will chase anything that moves
for fun, but animal cases want to kill or will have a history
of having killed another living being. With cats we see
them bringing in prey and they are good hunters. Mercury
and Iodum also have a desire to kill.
Safety: Animals in need of an animal remedy tend to have
a heightened awareness of their safety. They feel
vulnerable. They will act alert, nervous and anxious. An
awareness of danger.
Persecution: There can be a sense of being persecuted or
bullied. This is most prominent in snakes, insects and
spiders. Arachnids (spiders and scorpions) are the most
paranoid.
Aggression: An owner will rarely admit to their cuddly pet
being aggressive and sometimes it is rarely demonstrated.
Aggression can sometimes only be seen in the animal’s
response to other animals e.g. reactivity to other dogs in
dogs, fighting in cats. The curl of a lip when being
examined is worth noting as potential animal behaviour.
What makes a mammal a mammal?
Affection
This is where it starts to get warm and fuzzy. Things that
individuate mammals from other animal remedies are that
they are affectionate and loving. They have a need to be
embraced or held. They literally cannot get enough
affection or attention and will always want more. I have
had owners who describe their mammal pets as wanting
to “get inside of them if they could”. They try to please.
Owners describe them as “good”. We see this in Carcinosin
cases but then it could be argued that Carcinosin is also a
mammal remedy. Another remedy commonly confused
with mammals for this reason is Pulsatilla.
Sociability
Animals in need of mammal remedies are highly social and
respectful of family dynamics. They want to keep the
family together. Birds will do this as well. I have had
mammal cases which go visiting other people’s houses
and have friends outside the immediate family. They are
known by the kids on the street who ask after their welfare.
It can be very touching how popular and sociable these
little souls are.
Highly sensitive
Animals which need mammal remedies are in tune with
the emotions of their owners and the humans in the home.
For this reason they are commonly mistaken for Pulsatilla
or other Ranunculaceae. They share characteristics with
Natrums and Kalis on the left side of the periodic table.
An animal’s sensitivity to emotion can be difficult to assess
during case taking if the owner lives alone or is a quiet
couple who never fight or raise their voices. The only clue
can be during sports or matches on TV. An emotionally
sensitive pet will run and hide or show marked distress or
concern when the winning goal is scored or the referee has
made an unpopular decision.
Conversely an animal’s sensitivity is easy to assess in a house
full of kids especially if they are teenagers who express high
emotions. I think many of the mammal cases are attracted to