Just like in humans, homeopathy can treat a wide variety of conditions,
including “health” problems faced by our dogs that are associated with
behavioural pathologies, says Dr Tushar Gupta, B.H.M.S.
If you’re reading this article, it’s because you’re considering homeopathy to help your dog. And that’s good news. But homeopathy isn’t like any painkiller or other medication you’ve used. It’s not a one-size-fitsall solution … remedies are specific to the symptoms of each patient. Just like in humans, homeopathy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including “health” problems faced by our dogs that are associated with behavioural pathologies, or unmet behavioural expectations. These problems result in undesirable behaviour as per the normal range of the breed and its age. Pet parents often find it difficult to identify and effectively manage the challenging behavioural pattern in their beloved pets. Hundreds of pets are abandoned because they have behavioural problems that the owners can’t deal with. Many of the activities that animals engage in are entirely appropriate for their species … but not so appropriate in our civilized human society. Examples include: barking, digging, chewing, turf marking with feces and urine, and aggressively protecting their own turf. So, while many of these behaviours can be “trained away”, owners also need to be aware that these are normal animal activities… before they purchase their pets. In addition, pets may have problems with socialization with some or all of the human family members, for a variety of reasons. As examples, the family pet may fear children, or distrust either females or males, or hate the newest member – child or spouse – of the household. Socialization problems can be compounded when they extend into the neighbourhood and its people. And many pets, because they have become a part of the family “pack” become extremely anxious when they are left home alone. Few of the common behavioural problems seen in dogs are:
Separation Anxiety
The dogs can experience anxiety when the pet parent leaves them alone. As per an estimate, approximately 14% of dogs have separation anxiety. It could be defined as an inability of the dog to find comfort when separated from family members. Separation anxiety could be primary or secondary to some event. In extreme circumstances, this can mean just leaving the room or disappearing from the dog’s view. It leads to a typical behavioural pattern in which the dog chews, whines, barks, destroys the house, or mutilates their body when the pet parent is out of sight. Dogs who exhibit this behaviour are usually very sensitive; many have had several homes or experiences that have resulted in a setting that causes them to become extremely stressed. The majority of separation anxiety instances involve extreme periods of excitement followed by voids of attention and company.
Aggression
Aggression is the most common and significant behavioural issue in dogs. It refers to a set of behaviour that usually starts with warnings and ends with an attack. When a dog demonstrates hostility toward people, he or she usually exhibits signs of becoming increasingly agitated.
Barking
Dogs can communicate in a variety of ways, including barking. The barking of a dog might be excessive at times. Because barking serves a multitude of purposes, the pet parent must first determine the cause and motive for the dog’s barking before addressing the issue. Barking can be identified as territorial barking, alarm barking, attention-seeking barking, compulsive barking, anxiety or frustration induced barking.
Phobia
Phobias are defined as quickly developed fearful reactions that do not diminish either with gradual exposure to the object or without exposure over time. Phobias involve sudden, profound, abnormal responses that result in extremely fearful behaviour in the dogs. An immediate, excessive anxiety response is characteristic of phobias, which develop quickly with little change in their presentation between bout of signs and symptoms. Phobias are the result of a negative event in the past. They can develop over time as a result of repeated events, but for dogs, it only takes one to turn a fearful response into a phobia.
Diagnosis
A detailed behavioural history is needed prior to making any diagnosis. The history should be exhaustive and include the following:
- Sex, breed, and age of the dog
- Age at the onset of condition or complaint
- Duration of condition or complaint
- Description of actual behaviour
- Frequency of symptoms or behaviour
- Duration of average bout
- Any changes in pattern, frequency, intensity, and duration of bouts
- Any corrective measures tried and the response
- Any activities that stop the behaviour
- 24-hr schedule of the dog and pet parent, and any day-to-day variability.
Supportive Therapy
In these cases, behaviour assessment and counselling are required to ensure that the pet parents have a realistic understanding of what can be accomplished and that treatment strategies (e.g., environmental and behaviour modification) are implemented to achieve an acceptable level of improvement for both the pet-parent and the pet. Dogs that exhibit any of the signs and symptoms of a behavioural problem should be comforted. In scenarios involving these issues, harsh punishments are not suitable. Dogs are frequently sensitive or insecure, and such acts might exacerbate the condition. In cases involving behavioural problems, professional help should be sought straight away. Assessment of the home environment and interactions within it is another important component in treating the problem. Concentrated activity and quality attention often go hand in hand with the other strategies for addressing the situation.
Treatment
Homeopathic medicines provide symptom-based holistic coverage for the treatment of various behavioural problems in dogs. When paired with behaviour modification, homeopathic treatment for any behavioural disorder is most effective. Homeopathy has very effective remedies for the behavioural problems and helps in restoring positive behaviour in dogs. The medicines help in stabilising the distressed mind and are natural, safe, non-habit forming, and without any side effects.
Case Study
A nine-year-old Labrador was brought to us for repeated episodes of whining and excessive barking for the past three months. There were recurrent episodes noted by the housekeeper. The pet parent was unable to identify any such symptoms while he was around the dog. A detailed case history including signs and symptoms was taken from the pet parent and the caretaker to formulate the holistic homeopathic line of treatment. As evident by the case details, the dog exhibited clear signs and symptoms of separation anxiety. The onset of symptoms was correlated with the increased travel of the pet parent due to his work. Also, there was a history of the dog being abandoned by his previous owner during the pandemic.
The case was analysed utilising the latest homeopathic software and the line of treatment was formulated. The treatment was decided to provide symptom-based relief and a long-term plan was prepared to include medicines known to reduce anxiety, improve stress tolerance and stabilize the distressed mind of the pet. Medicines used in this case: Ignatia, Argentum Nitricum, and Kali phosphoricum (medicines were used based on symptom totality as and when needed, in regular/infrequent doses).
Symptomatic relief for the acute symptoms was observed in the first few days of treatment. The pet parent and the caretaker confirmed the reduction of whining and barking even in the absence of the pet parent. Long-term homeopathic treatment was continued and reduction in severity and frequency of symptoms was observed within a few months of the treatment.
As always, let us build a symbiotic relationship as a pet parent and caretaker to collaboratively spread the goodness and benefits of homeopathy amongst our pets.
Stay healthy and stay safe.
Dr Tushar Gupta
B.H.M.S.
WhatsApp: 9891586494
Phone: +353 87 283 6527
