|  | Alternative Medicine | Homeopathy

Homeopathic Colic Cures

Colic, which refers to gastrointestinal ailments in horses, is serious and can be fatal. In acute cases, call the vet immediately, as in a worst case scenario surgery may necessary to save the animal. However, some horses suffer from off-and-on, chronic colics or abdominal problems. In these instances, homeopathic remedies may help cure the horse, and are unlikely to do any harm. Based on the idea that "like cures like," homeopathic treatments are very diluted substances that cause the symptoms of the illness.

  1. Arsenicum

    • Arsenicum, also referred to as white arsenic, may be given to the horse suffering from diarrhea, and whose symptoms worsen in late evening and the early hours of the morning. This is the homeopathic remedy for the restless animal, who may frequently lay down and rise again. Like all homeopathics, it is important that the substance, whether pellets or liquid, is never touched by human hands but goes directly into the horse's mouth. Do not feed the horse half an hour after giving homeopathics, or allow him to drink for at least 15 minutes after dosing. Homeopathic dilutions are either one part tincture water to 10 parts water (1x) or one part tincture to 100 part water (1c), according to the herbal and homeopathic website Equi-Therapy.

    EQuine Colic Calm

    • This commercial homeopathic remedy addresses symptoms of horse colic such as cramps, flatulence, and stomach pain. It contains a mixture of homeopathic ingredients that include belladonna, nux vomica, colocynth, chamomilla and aconitum, with sucrose as an inactive ingredient. Give one capful of EQuine Colic Calm granules directly into the mouth, every 15 to 30 minutes, up to a maximum of 10 doses. According to its website, some horses will show improvement right away, while others will take several days. Consult a veterinarian if symptoms persist.

    Colchicum and Nux Vomica

    • Also known as meadow saffron, colchicum can be toxic, but in homeopathic form is used for colicky horses. Nux Vomica, known as "poison nut," is useful for horses with impaction colic, or severe constipation. Madalyn Ward, DVM, the owner of Bear Creek Veterinary Clinic, Austin, Texas, recommends in "Homeopathy and First Aid for Horses" a dosage of 30 parts dilution of colchium tincture to 100 parts water for horses with obvious gas sounds and bloated abdomens, used in conjunction with 6 parts dilution of nux vomica per 100 parts water.

Homeopathy - Related Articles