You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Herbal remedies are gaining in popularity for use in both humans and animals. In the USA a highly regarded Veterinary School is planning to develop a specialist unit looking at Herbal Remedies and other Complementary forms of treatment.

If you try a Herbal Remedy seek veterinary attention if the signs persist, if your pet is obviously ill, or if the condition gets worse. As a general rule it is probably safer to seek veterinary advice before starting with herbal remedies.

TABLE 1 - Some of the conditions for which herbal Remedies are recommended . Those marked * have veterinary licenses for use in the UK (2013)

 

Condition	Herbal Remedies Recommended*	Comments
Anal Gland problems (inflamed)	Garlic and Fenugreek *	Give a good wholemeal biscuit and a course of Garlic and Fenugreek. Consult your vet if the problem persists. After the anal glands have been cleared manually bathe the area with the natural treatment : Garlic Juice  .
Appetite (poor)	Malted Kelp Tablets * Natural Herb Tablets *	Start with a 24 hour fast and Natural Herb tablets followed by the recommended dose of Malted Kelp tablets half an hour before giving a small meal. If food is not taken repeat the Malted Kelp tablet dose next mealtime. Continue with the tablets for 4 weeks. If the problem persists your pet should be examined by your vet to check for serious disease.
Arthritis	Garlic and Fenugreek * Mixed Vegetable Tablets *	The Garlic and Fenugreek treatment is followed by Mixed Vegetable Tablets. A 1-2 month course is recommended
Bad Breath	Garlic and Fenugreek *	Your pet should be examined by your vet to check for dental disease and other problems.
Bladder and Kidney disorders	Mixed Vegetable Tablets *	Your pet should be examined by your vet to check for serious disease
Calling (in season)	Scullcap and Valerian Tablets *	To calm female cats that are calling
Constipation	Natural Herb Tablets *	Consult your veterinarian if the problem persists
Coughs and Catarrh	Garlic Tablets * Garlic and Fenugreek  *	Seek veterinary advice for persistent coughs, or if your pet is obviously unwell
Cystitis	Garlic and Fenugreek * Mixed Vegetable Tablets*	Cystitis causes increased frequency of urination. Seek veterinary advice to get a definite diagnosis if signs persist, or if your pet is ill.
Diarrhoea	Garlic and Fenugreek * Natural Herb Tablets*	Seek veterinary advice to get a definite diagnosis if signs persist, or if your pet is ill.
Epilepsy	Scullcap and Valerian Tablets*	Seek veterinary advice before using herbal remedies.
Excitability	Scullcap and Valerian Tablets*	To calm and relax excitable dogs
Furballs	Natural Herb Tablets*	Seek veterinary advice to get a definite diagnosis if signs persist, or if your pet is ill
General condition	Garlic Tablets*	Combined with a complete diet, regular exercise and companionship
Incontinence	Mixed Vegetable Tablets*	Seek veterinary advice to get a definite diagnosis if signs persist, or if your pet is ill.
Interdigital cysts	Garlic and Fenugreek *	Seek veterinary advice to get a definite diagnosis if signs persist, or if your pet is ill
Nervousness	Scullcap and Valerian Tablets*
Pancreatic insufficiency	Mixed Vegetable Tablets*	Seek veterinary advice to get a definite diagnosis if signs persist, or if your pet is ill
Phantom pregnancy	Raspberry Leaf Tablets  * Scullcap and Valerian Tablets*	Seek veterinary advice to get a definite diagnosis if signs persist, or if your pet is ill
Pigmentation	Kelp Seaweed Tablets     *                      Malted Kelp Tablets*
Rheumatism	Mixed Vegetable Tablets*	Seek veterinary advice to get a definite diagnosis if signs persist, or if your pet is ill
Ring Shyness and Showing Problems	Scullcap and Valerian Tablets
Sexual Behaviour	Scullcap and Valerian Tablets
Skin Complaints	Garlic and Fenugreek * Mixed Vegetable Tablets*	Seek veterinary advice to get a definite diagnosis if signs persist, or if your pet is ill
Territorial spraying (cats)	Scullcap and Valerian Tablets*
Travelling problems, Moving house	Scullcap and Valerian Tablets*
Whelping and Kittening	Raspberry Leaf Tablets  *

* The herbal remedies listed in this Table are all Herbal Medicines Licensed with the UK Governments veterinary medicines licensing authority and are strictly controlled under the terms and conditions set down in  the Medicines Act 1968. Dorwest Herbs hold Full Product Licenses for these products with the legal category GSL.

TABLE 2  Herbal Remedies, indications and dose rates

* The herbal remedies listed in this Table are all Herbal Medicines Licensed with the UK Governments veterinary medicines licensing authority and are strictly controlled under the terms and conditions set down in  the Medicines Act 1968. Dorwest Herbs hold Full Product Licenses for these products with the legal category GSL.

Much of the text in this article about Herbal Remedies has been copied from, or is based upon, information kindly provided by Dorwest Herbs, and it is used with their permission.

Updated October 2013