Minutus

In a discussion with a friend about supporting a dog through a normal shedding process (in this case a pomeranian going through a 'blowing' of the coat) we went through the usual subjects of food, stress, water, supplemental oils, grooming, etc. When asked if homeopathy had been used for support of this normal process – I had never heard of it – but said I would ask this group. In this specific dog, as he sheds the undercoat, it forms small knots which then pull and tug on his skin and he begins scratching. The owners says she has not seen any fleas or ticks – and no dietary changes – so it is assumed the scratching is entirely connected with the shedding process. Grooming helps a bit, but the 'blowing the coat' process takes place over a few weeks, so bathing and brushing give very temporary relief, and the scratching goes on and on. The process becomes exasperating for the little fellow.

Would be very interested to hear of the experience of others so I can pass it on.

Thank you in advance.

Donna

D C Rona, PhD, ND, DHM

www.NaturopathOnTheWeb.com

www.DrRonaLikesJuicePlus.com

rona@consultant.com

With your permission, I will run this post by a group of holistic animal people --some of whom know homeopathy.
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Wonder about Change of season aggravates.
Hair sticks together, Jean
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There is so much involved in a case such as this one. The first area I would address would be diet. Dogs are carnivores and should be eating a meat diet that has lots of variety. Dogs can develop sensitivity to a specific protein source if they are fed the same meat continuously. Also, the addition of a quality of EFA’s is of utmost importance especially with good coat.
It is common that dogs loose old, dead coat and replace it with healthy coat – just part of the process. Sometimes it is seasonal and along with that seasonal allergic responses to environment creates a real problem. A Pom’s coat tends to not just fall out by itself but needs human assistance removing all the dead undercoat. The allergens can be addressed with homeopathy.
The next area I would be concerned with is vaccines which, as we all know, compromise a healthy immune system.
So having the above items cleared, perhaps there are other ideas?
Laura Gibson

Furrst Place K-9 Obedience

www.FurrstPlace.com

Thank you Laura. We had an excellent discussion about these factors (I'm sorry I did not make that clear enough in the original post). My curiosity, in response to her question, was the use of homeopathy in supporting (or facilitating) a normal and natural function. This process is normal in pomeranians, some seem to go through it faster and some slower. Both my friend and I have not observed it going slower in sicker animals – in fact – it seems to go more quickly when an animal is ill – the regrowth of the 2 coats being slower in the ill.

Donna

D C Rona, PhD, ND, DHM

www.NaturopathOnTheWeb.com

www.DrRonaLikesJuicePlus.com

rona@consultant.com
From: Laura Gibson >
Reply-To: >
Date: Sun, 01 May 2011 08:24:39 -0500
To: >
Subject: [Minutus] Re: canine question - support of normal shedding process
There is so much involved in a case such as this one. The first area I would address would be diet. Dogs are carnivores and should be eating a meat diet that has lots of variety. Dogs can develop sensitivity to a specific protein source if they are fed the same meat continuously. Also, the addition of a quality of EFA’s is of utmost importance especially with good coat.
It is common that dogs loose old, dead coat and replace it with healthy coat – just part of the process. Sometimes it is seasonal and along with that seasonal allergic responses to environment creates a real problem. A Pom’s coat tends to not just fall out by itself but needs human assistance removing all the dead undercoat. The allergens can be addressed with homeopathy.
The next area I would be concerned with is vaccines which, as we all know, compromise a healthy immune system.
So having the above items cleared, perhaps there are other ideas?
Laura Gibson

Furrst Place K-9 Obedience

www.FurrstPlace.com

Hi Donna,

We have Maremmas and Border Collies so I can't speak directly to Pomeranians. If it is of any help I would focus on what is the norm for this breed and use that as the base to decide what is characteristic in the case.

Though a human species homeopath I've worked a lot with our Jacob sheep and Angora and Nubian goats over the years and knowing what is the norm for the particular breed is helpful in working even on their acute diseases.

I learned this lesson from experience and also from one of the best homeopaths I know who was a practicing veterinarian several years ago.

Peace,
Gregory

Gregory Pais, ND, DHANP
580 E. 3rd St. 570-320-0747
Williamsport PA 17701
gpaisnd@whnow.com
www.foroptimalhealth.com
www.facebook.com/NaturalDoc

Gregory,
Yes, indeed you hit the nail on the head – and indeed the reason for this question. This specific issue is perfectly normal for the breed. If it were excessive, causing physical harm, related to alopecia, etc. it would be outside the norm for this breed and hence a large factor in a case. In the context of my discussion with the friend who's pom is going through it at the moment – this is well within the norm – so if I were building a 'case' this event would be viewed as a normal occurrence for this breed. I am not building a case for this dog – but posing the question for my friend – has anyone used homeopathy to support or facilitate this normal process?

Donna
D C Rona, PhD, ND, DHM

www.NaturopathOnTheWeb.com

www.DrRonaLikesJuicePlus.com

rona@consultant.com
From: "Gregory Pais, ND, DHANP" >
Reply-To: >
Date: Sun, 01 May 2011 09:04:05 -0400
To: >
Subject: [Minutus] Re: canine question - support of normal shedding process
Hi Donna,
We have Maremmas and Border Collies so I can't speak directly to Pomeranians. If it is of any help I would focus on what is the norm for this breed and use that as the base to decide what is characteristic in the case.

Though a human species homeopath I've worked a lot with our Jacob sheep and Angora and Nubian goats over the years and knowing what is the norm for the particular breed is helpful in working even on their acute diseases.

I learned this lesson from experience and also from one of the best homeopaths I know who was a practicing veterinarian several years ago.

Peace,
Gregory

Gregory Pais, ND, DHANP
580 E. 3rd St. 570-320-0747
Williamsport PA 17701
gpaisnd@whnow.com
www.foroptimalhealth.com
www.facebook.com/NaturalDoc

Ok, I guess I am still confused about your question. If it has been determined that this is a NORMAL shedding process for this breed – what are you trying to fix? If the shedding is normal, I would think you have nothing to rep.
It would seem reasonable to take the whole case and try to find some imbalances and treat constitutionally. Improving the “over all” health of the animal will support this normal shedding.
Laura Gibson

Furrst Place K-9 Obedience

www.FurrstPlace.com

Ah – the point of my question – and stated in the subject line. My friend asked - "has anyone used homeopathy to SUPPORT or FACILITATE a normal function such as this"? I had no experience with this other than – as you say – working with a human or animal to support over all health. This is why I posted – to learn from the experience of others.

Donna

D C Rona, PhD, ND, DHM

www.NaturopathOnTheWeb.com

www.DrRonaLikesJuicePlus.com

rona@consultant.com
From: Laura Gibson >
Reply-To: >
Date: Mon, 02 May 2011 10:07:36 -0500
To: >
Subject: [Minutus] Re: canine question - support of normal shedding process
Ok, I guess I am still confused about your question. If it has been determined that this is a NORMAL shedding process for this breed – what are you trying to fix? If the shedding is normal, I would think you have nothing to rep.
It would seem reasonable to take the whole case and try to find some imbalances and treat constitutionally. Improving the “over all” health of the animal will support this normal shedding.
Laura Gibson

Furrst Place K-9 Obedience

www.FurrstPlace.com