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- Feb 23, 2017
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Hi everyone-
I've been pondering this topic since a long conversation with cat vet and homeopath Dr. Andrea Tasi last year.
Our long discussion was about the practicality of using homeopathy as the main form of health care for shelters.
We focused on one specific cat shelter that she was working with.
Monday's Empower Hour! webinar is when we will share the very practical info. that we discussed.
As we discussed, in relation to the OWAR shelter with John Jones a few weeks ago, this is a very important yet often overlooked area.
It is overlooked because most people who run a cat shelter feel strongly that conventional recommendations are the fastest and best way to find forever homes for the cats and kittens in their care.
That is not always the case, but it takes an open-minded caretaker to realize this.
Someone in that vein is our own wonderful @robinafolson who runs the Kitten Associates shelter:
Robin has been evaluating use of homeopathy in her shelter for over a year but still wonders if it is practical to use?
It is definitely doable, but there are 2 guidelines I'd advise.
The first is that it is very important to put on your common sense hat and focus on risk:benefit of whatever decision you make.
Your going through the HMDM 3 step checklist will be very helpful.
Let's take vaccination as an example.
In this case the 1 potential benefit is protection from an acute disease.
However there are multiple risks varying from acute reactions, to autoimmune dis-eases, and even cancer.
This well-researched and detailed book discusses just 1 of the big problems (autoimmunity from the "extras" in the vaccine):
On Monday we'll discuss more about the pros and cons of using vaccines in the shelter including the legal requirement for rabies.
And a specific way to know exactly when and whether to vaccinate.
A less difficult topic is choosing which food to feed.
Even though dry food is most commonly used, it is known to contribute significantly to cat dis-eases like constipation, diabetes, kidney dis-ease, obesity, etc.
Risk:Benefit is also clear with high risk but also the benefit of convenience.
Just the opposite of the potential harm of dry food is the benefit of fresh, Vital raw food.
However raw is not always practical so often the focus in shelter is a high quality canned food with some (10-25%) of fresh meats mixed in with each meal.
Every decision can be approached in this way using HMDM and the risk/benefit ratio.
The second guideline, beyond using your common sense, is learning to use the Genus Epidemicus method of homeopathy.
This is the approach that anyone can use whenever there is an acute outbreak of similar symptoms among any group.
For an example, an outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea, or perhaps upper respiratory symptoms.
Robin just had such series of symptoms among 5 new kittens she rescued last week.
This is the method to use in that case.
It's very simple to apply though more complicated to fully understand.
Master homeopath David Little discusses it in detail in his excellent article:
A bit of a simpler breakdown is from our friend Kim Elia at WholeHealthNow:
The simplest way to understand it is that in this method all similar symptoms are grouped together and are thought of as one symptom.
And all of the similar symptoms occurring in all of the patients are considered as existing in 1 patient.
It sounds complicated, but is actually quite practical for any of you or anyone running a shelter.
We'll spend 1 full webinar on this important method during the homeopathy study group Empower Hours! in 2020.
You can start learning more about, and even using, Genus Epidemicus right away.
The best place to start, as with all things homeopathic, is in Hahnemann's Organon.
Specifically, in the paragraphs where he discusses the method he uses and general approach to "intermittent fevers" (malaria).
The Bottom Line when it comes to homeopathy in cat shelters is that it works and is awe-some!
Use your common sense, and look at all of the risks and benefits of any treatment (HMDM steps 1 and 2) you use.
The rescue (or any group of animals) will also benefit if you learn and use the Genus Epidemicus method.
I'll look forward to answering any other questions in this forum thread and during the Empower Hour!
I've been pondering this topic since a long conversation with cat vet and homeopath Dr. Andrea Tasi last year.
Our long discussion was about the practicality of using homeopathy as the main form of health care for shelters.
We focused on one specific cat shelter that she was working with.
Monday's Empower Hour! webinar is when we will share the very practical info. that we discussed.
As we discussed, in relation to the OWAR shelter with John Jones a few weeks ago, this is a very important yet often overlooked area.
It is overlooked because most people who run a cat shelter feel strongly that conventional recommendations are the fastest and best way to find forever homes for the cats and kittens in their care.
That is not always the case, but it takes an open-minded caretaker to realize this.
Someone in that vein is our own wonderful @robinafolson who runs the Kitten Associates shelter:
Kitten Associates | The New Breed of Cat Rescue
kittenassociates.org
Robin has been evaluating use of homeopathy in her shelter for over a year but still wonders if it is practical to use?
It is definitely doable, but there are 2 guidelines I'd advise.
The first is that it is very important to put on your common sense hat and focus on risk:benefit of whatever decision you make.
Your going through the HMDM 3 step checklist will be very helpful.
Let's take vaccination as an example.
In this case the 1 potential benefit is protection from an acute disease.
However there are multiple risks varying from acute reactions, to autoimmune dis-eases, and even cancer.
This well-researched and detailed book discusses just 1 of the big problems (autoimmunity from the "extras" in the vaccine):
Vaccines and Autoimmunity: 9781118663431: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com
Vaccines and Autoimmunity: 9781118663431: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
On Monday we'll discuss more about the pros and cons of using vaccines in the shelter including the legal requirement for rabies.
And a specific way to know exactly when and whether to vaccinate.
A less difficult topic is choosing which food to feed.
Even though dry food is most commonly used, it is known to contribute significantly to cat dis-eases like constipation, diabetes, kidney dis-ease, obesity, etc.
Risk:Benefit is also clear with high risk but also the benefit of convenience.
Just the opposite of the potential harm of dry food is the benefit of fresh, Vital raw food.
However raw is not always practical so often the focus in shelter is a high quality canned food with some (10-25%) of fresh meats mixed in with each meal.
Every decision can be approached in this way using HMDM and the risk/benefit ratio.
The second guideline, beyond using your common sense, is learning to use the Genus Epidemicus method of homeopathy.
This is the approach that anyone can use whenever there is an acute outbreak of similar symptoms among any group.
For an example, an outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea, or perhaps upper respiratory symptoms.
Robin just had such series of symptoms among 5 new kittens she rescued last week.
This is the method to use in that case.
It's very simple to apply though more complicated to fully understand.
Master homeopath David Little discusses it in detail in his excellent article:
A bit of a simpler breakdown is from our friend Kim Elia at WholeHealthNow:
Genus Epidemicus and Prophylaxis in Homeopathy
Homeopathy and the prophylactic treatment of epidemic disease. One of the great examples of homeopathy's effectiveness over its 200-year history.
www.wholehealthnow.com
The simplest way to understand it is that in this method all similar symptoms are grouped together and are thought of as one symptom.
And all of the similar symptoms occurring in all of the patients are considered as existing in 1 patient.
It sounds complicated, but is actually quite practical for any of you or anyone running a shelter.
We'll spend 1 full webinar on this important method during the homeopathy study group Empower Hours! in 2020.
You can start learning more about, and even using, Genus Epidemicus right away.
The best place to start, as with all things homeopathic, is in Hahnemann's Organon.
Specifically, in the paragraphs where he discusses the method he uses and general approach to "intermittent fevers" (malaria).
Aphorism 241-250 - The Organon
Epidemics of intermittent fever, in situations where none are endemic, are of the nature of chronic diseases...
www.homeopathyschool.com
The Bottom Line when it comes to homeopathy in cat shelters is that it works and is awe-some!
Use your common sense, and look at all of the risks and benefits of any treatment (HMDM steps 1 and 2) you use.
The rescue (or any group of animals) will also benefit if you learn and use the Genus Epidemicus method.
I'll look forward to answering any other questions in this forum thread and during the Empower Hour!