Mange in dogs is caused by parasite infection from tiny (invisible to the naked eye) louse-like mites that bury benath the skin where they breed and cause intense skin irritation.

The affected area turns grey, fur is lost, the skin erupts, is wet in appearance and there is an unpleasant smell.

Common places for mange to occur include the back and the top of the neck.

Management of mange:

• Bathe your dog weekly with natural herbal shampoo – one containing natural essential oils for parasites
• Apply Yicche cream twice daily. Massage well into the entire affected area
• Groom your dog daily
• Soak all bedding, collars, leads and grooming equipment for several hours in a solution containing 2 drops of eucalytus or tea tree oil per 1 litre water. Also wash down the kennel. Do this weekly

Natural feeding also improves overall dog health and strengthens the skin, helping your dog to be more resistant to all skin vermin.

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Fungal infections are many and varied.

Fungus loves damp warm conditions, so will usually appear in parts of the body that provide this environment.

The following are all fungal infections:

• Thrush – in the genital and anal areas. Also called jock rash
• Paronychia – a fungal infection under the fingernail or toenail
• Ringworm – a fungal infection under the skin
• Athlete’s foot – also known as tinea, a fungal infection that affects the feet

An important part of any treatment is to keep the affected area dry and cool. Make sure you dry thoroughly every time the area becomes wet and, if appropriate, sprinkle with talc to help keep it dry.

FungReleaf can be applied to Ringworm, Paronychia and Athlete’s Foot.

Calendula Ointment can be applied to thrush.

From a dietary perspective, decrease sugar intake, as all fungus loves to feed on sugar, think of it as starving out a parasite rather than denying yourself sweets.

Probiotics are also recommended if you are suffering from thrush or candida.

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One of the good things about homeopathics is that they are very compact, light and portable. A homeopathic first aid kit is a must when you are travelling, camping or live remotely. It also comes in very handy in the stable or the kennel.

The homeopathic first aid kit contains homeopathic remedies that can assist in a crisis or first aid situation when  you are waiting for medical assistance or unable to immediately access it. The remedies are additional to, and enhance ,the rest of a normal first aid kit. They are not a substitute for proper medical care – please still see a qualified health practitioner as soon as possible.

Click the icon below to purchase a homeopathic first aid kit in Australia:

It contains:

Apis

Arnica

Arsenicum

Belladonna

Chamomilla

Euphrasia

Gelsemium

Ledum

Nux Vomica

Rhus Tox

You can also restock your homeopathic first aid kit with the same company by typing the name of the remedy into their search box.

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Laminitis is serious. You need to address it now. Thankfully if you treat it immediately, the devastating effects can be drastically reduced or even cured.

As a horse lover I know you want your horse to be happy, pain free and performing at their ultimate capacity.

When you have the right resources and are armed with the correct knowledge you can stop the problem from spiralling out of control and give your horse the much needed pain relief he deserves.

Founder is a complex issue, and I would like to recommend this e-book to you, written by my colleague Zoe Dodds, a long time horse owner who is also a qualified natural therapist specialising in horses.

Zoe’s book ‘Laminitis and Founder Exposed’ will teach you everything you need to know about Laminitis, specifically what it is and how to treat it in a natural, gentle way WITHOUT toxic chemicals, drugs or expensive procedures.

Prevention is always said to be better than cure and this book has information about both. It will show you everything you need to help your horse make a smooth recovery should your horse experience Laminitis. But it will also give you everything you need to know to prevent onset, so your horse does not need to experience the agony and pain of Founder.

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There are several good herbs for horses that have suffered a sprain or strain to their legs.

This often happens after heavier than normal work, or as a result of being on rough ground.

Firstly, hose down your horse’s legs with cold water to take out the inflammation.

If there is just a little fluid in the legs, apply bandages soaked in my 1stAde Solution. This is a combination of natural floral waters and flower essences. Leave the bandages on for 30 minutes, then remove. Do this once to twice daily for 3 – 7 days, or until the swelling and inflammation have gone down and the legs are no longer tender or stiff.

If your horse is stabled, you can apply dry stable bandages, for leg support, after the treatment above.

Give Inflameze – a combination of herbs and flower essences – internally.

If there is obvious bruising, also follow the regime for bruises.

If symptoms are severe or persistant, seek professional veterinary or naturopathic advice.

It is important to do all that you can to resolve sprains and strains with herbal management as soon as possible after they occur as, if left unattended, they can become the site of osteo-arthritis problems in the future.

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Greasy Heel is also known as Mud Fever and tends to occur on boggy ground or after extended periods of rain when the pasture becomes muddy and your horse has constantly wet feet.

Scabs appear around the heel and pasterns. Avoid pulling these off as it causes a lot of pain.

Instead:

• Wash down with a good natural horse shampoo, rinse well and gently pat dry
• Apply FungReleaf Cream
• Cover with plastic wrap and then bandage
• Leave 24 hours
• Remove bandage
• Wash away any scabs that come away easily
• Repeat this process daily until all the scabs are off.
• Then wash daily, pat dry gently and apply Fungraleaf, leaving unbandaged, until all the hair has grown back in.

CAUTION: Watch closely as Greasy Heel can progress into cellulitis, which is very serious, and requires urgent veterinary treatment.

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Herbs have safely been used to treat illnesses in dogs for thousands of years, just as they have been used by humans.

In fact dogs, like most animals are wonderful herbalists. They instinctively seek out a wide variety of plants as they go about their day, and use these plants to self medicate. If you doubt this, watch your dog out in the yard actively eating grass or another plant. It is not always the same grass. Even domesticated dogs can identify dozens of plants, know how to use them medicinally, and will purposefully seek them out when needed.

Dogs are sensitive to some herbs, so never assume that a herb is safe for a dog just because you can use it yourself or on another animal. Dosage is also very important.

It takes years to train a herbalist about the safe use of herbs. A large amount of time also includes what is called “the fine print”. Which herbs should never be used. Which herbs need to be used with caution, especially in regards to dosage.

When it comes to herbal treatment of animals, what is safe in a horse can kill a dog.  A herb that can safely be used by dogs can kill a cat.

More harm is done by herbs out of ignorance from untrained lay people than by all the herbalists in the world combined.

At Herbal Dog we aim to raise awareness of how some common herbs can help maintain and improve you dog’s health and wellbeing.This is purely for informational purposes, please seek advice from a herbalist qualified in the herbal treatment of dogs before giving your dog any natural remedies.

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Herbs have safely been used to treat illnesses in horses for thousands of years, just as they have been used by humans.

In fact horses, like most animals are wonderful herbalists. They instinctively seek out a wide variety of plants as they graze, and use these plants to self medicate.

Horses are sensitive to some herbs, so never assume that a herb is safe for a horse just because you can use it yourself or on another animal. Dosage is also very important.

It takes years to train a herbalist about the safe use of herbs. A large amount of time also includes what is called “the fine print”. Which herbs should never be used. Which herbs need to be used with caution, especially in regards to dosage.

When it comes to herbal treatment of animals, what is safe in a human can kill a horse.  A herb that can safely be used by dogs can kill a cat.

More harm is done by herbs out of ignorance from untrained lay people than by all the herbalists in the world combined.

The aim of the information in Herbs 4 Horses is to provide  information on some common herbs that can help your horse with minor ailments.

For more serious complaints, consult a herbalist trained in herbal treatment of horses.

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