Page 625 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

appropriate and not likely to cause further damage or exacerbate the problem. Sometimes

back, neck or limb radiographs or other clinical investigations are undertaken prior to
VetBooks.ir commencement of the treatment.

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathic medicines made from plant, mineral and animal sources are used to treat a wide
range of conditions. This branch of medicine was founded by the German doctor Samuel
Hahnemann in the nineteenth century. He observed that if a homeopathic substance causes a

number of specific symptoms in a healthy person, a very dilute form of the same substance
may be used to stimulate the immune system and assist healing of an ill person showing the

same symptoms.
Homeopathy is unusual in that the more dilute the medicine, the stronger the remedy. The

original substance is serially diluted and shaken vigorously (the shaking is called
succussion). The remedies are dispensed as pills, powders, granules, drops and creams.

Exactly how homeopathy works is not fully understood as in many cases the original

homeopathic substance is so dilute that no molecules are left in the preparation. It has been
suggested that the remedy has an energy of its own which is ‘imprinted’ on the water

molecules and is responsible for activating the immune system and stimulating healing of
individual patients.

Nevertheless, a number of vets are successfully using homeopathic medicines in their
practices. Vets with the letters VetMFHom after their names have undertaken a three-year

training course in veterinary homeopathy and passed examinations admitting them as
members of the Faculty of Homeopathy. This faculty provides training in homeopathy for
doctors, dentists, vets, nurses and pharmacists.

Homeopathic medicines are prescribed following a very thorough clinical examination of

the horse and a detailed discussion about the animal’s character, environment and lifestyle.
They are selected for the individual patient so horses with similar symptoms may receive
different remedies. They are used to treat a wide range of acute and chronic conditions

including allergies, skin problems, digestive problems, hormone imbalances, behavioural
problems, viral infections, respiratory disease, degenerative joint disease and traumatic

injuries. On occasions, the clinical signs may temporarily become aggravated before a
beneficial response is seen.

Homeopathic medicines need to be handled and stored with care. The oils in one’s hands

can spoil the medication so the remedy should be placed directly into the animal’s mouth or