Holistic first-aid for summer

Summer is a time of increased outdoor activity — hence more accidents, insect bites or cat fights, just to list a few hazards. Here are some suggestions for your summertime holistic first-aid box, which may help in mild trauma. You should always contact your local vet for advice.

Most of the remedies are either herbs or homeopathic remedies. To avoid confusion, I have referred to homeopathic remedies with the prefix hom, followed by the suggested dilution. Herbs have the botanical name in brackets.

Rescue Remedy

This is one of the Bach Flower remedy range. Have this on hand for unexpected emergencies. Immediately following trauma, dose with a few drops on your pet’s gums and a dropper full for yourself. Give every five minutes, to help reduce acute stress and anxiety, which can worsen the signs of shock. Continue to use it on your way to the vet, or as you remove bee stings, clip hot spots, or wash burns in running water.

Insect bites

In the event of a bee sting, if possible remove the sting using tweezers. Homeopathic (hom) Apis mel at low potencies (6× 30c) can be applied to the sting or given by mouth one dropper every five minutes until the pain subsides. If you have some, prepare some plantain (Plantago major) juice to apply to the sting by first chewing it. When pain and swelling persist, antihistamines can be used. Check with your vet for advice and dosages. Be sure to take your pet to the vet if there is any facial swelling, vomiting, difficulty breathing or if your pet remains distressed after 30 minutes.

Burns on the barbecue

Do not apply ice to burns. The best first aid is cool (not cold) clean running water for at least 20 minutes. Always have burns checked by your vet; many are deeper than they seem. Infection control is vital for healing of deeper burns. Once your vet has checked the injury, and if they agree, then minor burns may be eased with fresh topical aloe vera (the inner gel of the leaf) applied four times daily. Alternately a topical cream or poultice made from witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) can be used.

Heat stress

Avoid heat stress by exercising dogs only before 10am or after 5pm through the summer. Limit frenetic ball chasing if it is hot. Dogs heat rapidly, and cannot produce sweat to cool down. If you think your dog has overheated call your vet. Homeopathic (hom) belladonna may be used: one drop on the tongue on the way to the vet.

Mild trauma (eg, cat-fight wounds)

Clean with sterile saline and diluted betadine. A very dilute echinacea compress may also be used. Add one teaspoon of dried flower heads to water and boil for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and use a clean cloth to soak in the tea and make the compress. Use after flushing the wound.

If the abscess has not ruptured, or closes over before it has completely drained, or if your cat is unwell, see your vet. When your cat requires surgery, add five drops of milk thistle glycetract twice daily to their food to help them recover from the anaesthetic. Use a powdered probiotic while on antibiotics.

If the abscess is open and draining, administer homeopathic (hom) hepar sulph at low potency (6× to 12c) four times daily. For bleeding wounds, clean with saline, apply a firm dressing and take to your vet. If you have some, a small amount of yunnan baiyao powder (a traditional Chinese herbal formula) can be packed into the wound before dressing to help stop bleeding. Medihoney can be applied to healing cuts and grazes, but be aware your pet will enjoy licking this off. Use hom Arnica 30c where there is bruising and hom Hypericum 30c after trauma.

Stink bugs

Stink bugs are bright green or bronze orange bugs of the family Pentatomidae, which colonise citrus leaves in summer. Curious cats and pups will be met by a squirt of their vile-smelling liquid which, if it lands in their eyes, will sting and can result in corneal ulcers. Immediately rinse eyes with sterile saline using a syringe if you have one, or a dropper. I usually advise a vet visit to check for ulcers, which will need medical treatment. If the cornea is clear, then use a compress made from eyebright (Euphrasia) or tea (Camellia sinensis).

Irritated eyes

For red and irritated eyes, where both eyes are affected, you can try a topical eye rinse consisting of Eyebright (Euphrasia spp). Always prepare the tea fresh. Add one level teaspoon of the dried herb to 250mL boiling water, and boil for 10 minutes. Moisten a cotton wool ball with the tea when cooled, and gently compress the eye for 5–10 minutes. If possible do this four times daily. Eyebright is an endangered herb, so it can be exchanged for either chamomile or calendula.

Bluebottle stings

In 2006 the AMA recommended that these be treated by immersion in hot water at 45°C for 20 minutes. Fresh aloe vera can be applied after to help soothe the sting.

Acute skin allergies

Rinse with cool water to remove any plant material which may have caused the reaction. Pat dry and apply a topical vegetable-based vitamin E cream with added lavender (Lavender officinalis), calendula (Calendula officinalis) and gotu kola (Centella asiatica).

Hot spots

If possible, clip the area carefully and clean gently with salty water (one teaspoon salt in one cup of tepid clean water). Then use a black tea bag compress applied for 10 minutes. Repeat four times daily. If over 24 hours the hotspot has spread, it will probably require antibiotics. Check for fleas using a flea comb and if you find one apply your flea control protocol (see below).

Natural flea control

One approach to natural flea control is to emphasize environmental flea control. Make sure all animals on the property are flea combed regularly; this is to check the success of your method. Vacuum the house, especially where animals spend time —and this may include your sofa and beds — using a steam cleaner every two weeks in summer. This helps remove the eggs and larval stages.

Topical natural flea control requires patience and diligence. Many protocols use essential oils, some of which are toxic to cats and small dogs. Neem oil diluted in shampoo may be tried for dogs, although this will have to be done at least weekly.

There is no research to show this works to protect dogs from paralysis ticks. For this ask your vet for the best local tick defence. Use milk thistle (Silybum marianum) to help your dog’s liver deal with insecticides.

Karen Goldrick is a holistic veterinarian at All Natural Vet Care, Russell Lea, Sydney. Visit www.naturalvet.com.au