When a Little Knowledge can be Dangerous
A common example as Summer comes upon us in the Northern Hemisphere is the emergence of ticks and the consequent fear of Lyme and other tick borne diseases.
We’ve had some discussions in Dogs Naturally Academy on this, where we’ve presented some remedies known to help counter the effects of bites and stings and even snake bites, all Summer hazards, depending on where you live. The homeopathic remedy ledum has been discussed among academy members, as it’s a very old and useful remedy in puncture wounds. Tick mouth parts, like those of fleas and mosquitoes and snakes, puncture the integument, causing injury that ledum often addresses quite handily.
The old homeopathic masters often held that a well-timed dose of ledum could prevent tetanus, quite a feat. Here’s Dr. James Kent, one of the greats from the United States, on ledum:
The horse sometimes steps on a nail. If that nail goes through and strikes the margin of the coffin bone, tetanus will follow. It is known to be almost sure death. Put Ledum on the tongue of that horse and there will not be any trouble for it prevents such conditions.” Kent, JT, Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica (1904)
When Fear Rules, Common Sense Runs Away
Unfortunately, discussions of ticks seems to quickly run to Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis. Oh, my!
So many germs at the door! None of them easy, but also none of them a given with a tick found on your dog!
The equation that seems to play out in the minds of dog owners who forget the rightful place of disease and parasites goes something like this:
Tick on my dog = disease in my dog (= suffering and maybe death!) = Gak!
And the discussion groups go mad with how to dose ledum, what about dosing the dog who’s under constitutional homeopathic treatment, how long does it take to know Lyme is present, etc, etc.
Strengthen Resistance, Banish Fear
A central theme here at Vital Animal is the notion that, inherent in your animal (and in you, in fact), is a wholly wonderful thing called the innate intelligence. It’s that invisible, unmeasurable part of all of us that keeps us well, given half a chance.
The innate intelligence, aka vital force, is what repairs wounds, mends broken bones, fights off infectious disease, and digests food, turning it into useful treasures for the body and eliminating waste byproducts. Part of this is recognized as the immune system by modern science, but it’s much more besides.
Resistance to the germ at the door is where your efforts are best spent. To the extent that you focus on this natural resistance, you can relax and know that tick bite ≠ tick borne disease.
Key Players in Natural Resistance
There are a few key ingredients to stay diligent with if natural resistance is your goal. The top ones I see over and over again are, in order of importance,
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Avoiding vaccinations beyond initial ones at 16 weeks (if you opt for those). Volumes of evidence for this, but start here and learn the top two reasons: safety and efficacy, both lacking in vaccine repetition.
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Feeding species appropriate food. Fuel that fits the eater fuels natural resistance, every day, every meal. Here’s a place to start.
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Avoiding poisons like the plague. That goes for flea and tick poisons. That goes for pesticides against heartworms. Pure water, clean air, clean cleaning products. Keep it clean!
Add to this the major benefits of homeopathic prescribing (see the AVH link on this page) at the earliest point symptoms arise, plenty of outdoor exercise, and a happy emotional life, and my, my, you’ve not only changed the equation of fear to one of confidence, but you’ve given your animal the keys to thrive as a truly vital animal.
Now, where did that fear go? I don’t know, I’m too busy keeping up with my boundlessly energetic animal who everyone thinks must be a pup (even though he’s pushing 10!). But don’t take my word for it. When I asked if this “natural stuff” actually works a while back, boy did you tell me!
