By and large animal health care, throughout the world, is being provided by the veterinarians trained in Allopathic system of medicine as veterinary courses are available only in modern system of medicine. Philosophy of Allopathy, both in human and veterinary health care, has been widely accepted owing to discoveries of pathogen as a cause of disease; prevention of infectious diseases by antitoxins and vaccines; and antibiotics in controlling infections. Ever increasing cost of allopathic medicines has made their rational dosing in animals unaffordable to marginal farmers or landless laborers involved in unorganized animal husbandry. Injudicious, erratic and unnecessary use of antibiotics in humans and animals has given birth to the problem of microbial resistance and antimicrobial residues in animal products causing a great concern all over the world. During recent years, an interest is being invoked in seeking an alternate health care approach both in humans and animals. Homeopathy, an integral component of holistic medicine, has emerged as widely accepted complementary and alternative health care system not only in humans but also in animals because of its minimum doses, affordable cost, eco- friendliness, safety, non-toxic nature, simplicity and tailor made individualized approach. As no system of medicine is complete in itself, a holistic approach incorporating all reasonable forms of treatment appears to be more pragmatic in alleviating the sufferings of animals.

Homeopathy The word ‘Homeopathy’ is derived from two Greek words “Homeos” and “Pathos” meaning “similar” and “suffering” respectively (Mukherjee and Wahile,2006). This system of medicine is based on the principle of ‘Similars’ propounded by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in late 17th century. The practice of Homeopathy came into being and gained wide spread popularity too early in the history of medicine at a time when it was impossible to provide any kind of explanation for its clinical efficacy. It is a complete and separate approach to health care using dynamized micro doses of herbs, minerals or animal products to stimulate the body’s innate healing mechanism. Homeopathy is claimed to be more ecological, compassionate and comprehensive owing to use of micro doses. Clinical anecdotal evidence exists to indicate that homeopathy is beneficial in veterinary practice also. The homeopathic remedies stimulate the body defense to heal itself. The practice of homeopathy began first and science in its efficacy is being discovered later as was in case of immunology. An increasing interest is being shown in Homeopathy as a complementary and alternative treatment for both human and animal diseases owing to ever increasing problem of emergence of resistance in micro-organisms to antibiotics, their residues in animal products, and side effects of modern drugs. But critics of homeopathy are not reconciling with the use of highly diluted homeopathic remedies and considering it as a controversial therapy. Researches with the help of modern technology are now illustrating science in homeopathy.

Homeopathy Homeopathy is a different system of health care being practiced across the world. It is not only an alternate health approach but a distinct full-fledged complete rational system of medicine having holistic, individualistic, and dynamistic approach to life, health, disease, remedy and cure. This system of health care science is offering treatment option for acute and chronic ailments of humans and animals. Homoeopathy takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. Birth of Homeopathy Homeopathy was founded by Dr Hahnemann who was more concerned to evolve a safe and effective therapeutic paradigm around the key concept of similia. Dr. Hahnemann codified a new medical system with seven principles/ concepts when vital force theory , miasmatic theory of causation of diseases (Bhalwar, 2009) were prevalent and the concept of drug proving on healthy human being was proposed by Albrecht von Haller (Hahnemann,1922) .He fortified his key concept of “similia” with drug proving, drug dynamisation and individualization, and four ancillary theories viz. chronic diseases (Miasm), vital force (vital principle), single medicine and minimum dose. He named his new system of therapy as “Homeopathy” and published the first edition of Organon of Medicine in 1810.

Organon Organon of Medicine, a document of Homeopathic philosophy articulated by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, is the corner stone of Homeopathic principles and practices being followed by homeopaths throughout world. Before Organon of Medicine Dr. Hahnemann published an article “Essay on a New Principle” in 1796. The article was based on his first experience of the effect of Peruvian Bark Cinchona in 1790. The Organon of Medicine developed slowly out of Hahnemann’s research and experimentation over a period of time and newer experiences were added in subsequent editions. With more personal observations and experimentation, he published his new account of Homeopathy in 1810 in the form of a book entitled “Organon of Rational Art of Healing (Organon der rationellen Heilkunde). It was the 1st edition. Dr. Hahnemann laid out the doctrine of his ideas of Homeopathy in this book. The book contains the principles and philosophical back ground of the Practice of Homeopathy. The work was repeatedly revised by him and published in six editions, with the name changed from the second edition onwards to Organon of Medicine (Organon der Heilkunst). The book saw its five editions in the life time of Hahnemann and the 6th edition was published long after the death of Dr. Hahnemann. The 2nd edition was published in 1819, with the revised title Organon of Healing Art. The 3rd edition of the book came in 1824. The 4th edition was published in 1829 and introduced Hahnemann’s “Theory of Chronic Diseases”. The 5th edition of the book was published in 1833, that contained the doctrine of vital force and drug-dynamization. The sixth edition, written in 1842, a year before his death, was retitled Organon of Medicine and published in 1921 (78 years after his death in 1843).

The concepts of health, disease, symptoms, constitution, cure, vital force, suppression of the disease, individualization, totality of symptoms, and dose etc. are unique in homeopathy differing from concepts of modern medicine. Health Generally, health is considered as freedom from disease. According to World Health Organization health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO, 1946). In homeopathy, it is defined as mental, physical and emotional wellbeing (Mondal, 2006 a) and the healthy body has been described as one in balance and equilibrium. The equilibrium of internal parameters is maintained by “life forces” corresponding to a general interpretation of immune system . In fact ‘Life force” is the actual energy behind the biochemistry of the body. It ends with death of the organism.

Analysis of Symptoms Symptoms are deviation from a state of health perceptible to by the patient, people around and the doctor/veterinarian. Symptoms can be physical and mental. Symptoms narrated by the patients are subjective and observed by the doctor / veterinarian are objective. Animals lack subjective symptoms. The word analysis means “careful examination of the different parts or details of something.” According to Castro “The act of resolving or reducing or breaking the whole in to pieces or groups is called analysis”. When analyzing a case, the value of symptoms is taken in to consideration on several points such as personality, and categories of symptoms as subjective, objective, general, common and uncommon symptoms. Symptom analysis gives an opportunity to learn when the symptoms developed, the feeling that those circumstances evoked the symptoms, and the ways in which those symptoms may have served some useful purpose to the patient. The main purpose of analysis is to identify the prescribing symptom in the given case.

Major source of common homeopathic drugs are plants, animals and minerals and the drug is prepared by dilution and vigorous shaking. Origin and Source of Homeopathic Drugs Homeopathic medicines/drugs are prepared from following sources. Plant Source Homeopathic drugs are prepared from different parts of the plants and herbs viz. whole plant, whole herb, flowers, stem, leaves, bark, root and seeds. Example- Aconite, Belladonna, Arnica, Bryonia, Calendula etc. Animal Source Homeopathic drugs are also prepared from some parts of animals (worms, insects, flies, lizard, crabs, toads and snakes) and their secretion. Example Coccus cacti, Lachesis, Naja tripudians etc.

Many human illnesses are contacted from animals and plants; and are also due to imbalance in the environment. Mental, emotional and relational symptoms seen in humans are absent in animals. Nevertheless, careful observations on the behavior of the animal and its relation with others may play key role in homeopathic prescribing in animals. No doubt the use of homeopathy in animals is challenging. Homeopathic treatment of pet animals has many similarities with homeopathic treatment of babies and children such as non verbal communication, the socialization and the relationship with third parties (owners in case of pets and parents in case of children).There are many prescribing strategies in veterinary homeopathy.

Homeopathic Prescription A basis for homeopathic prescription involves identifying all the aspects of the case (detailed questioning to get the history in respect to animal, its behavior, its nutrition and management, vaccination and deworming status, past and present illness etc.), objective investigations (instrumental and laboratory), coupled with an overview of the picture and dynamics of the patient (it is more philosophical and subjective). In recording symptoms (both present and past), special attention is to be paid to peculiar symptoms, mental state and generalities. Then appropriate remedy is selected through a process called “reportization”. After selecting an appropriate remedy, its correct potency is determined. Selection of the potency depends on the strength of vital force of the ailing individual, degree and extent of physical pathology and disease chronicity (Hahnemann,1994). Higher potency is selected if vital force is strong. For example higher potency are more suitable for young and growing animals. If tissue pathology is more, lower potency drug is advisable. The effect of higher potency drugs is for greater period of time. Effect of 1M potency may last for a month while that of 30C potency may last for a week. If pathology is not severe, 200C potency may be selected. In case pathology is significant, potency below 200C may be chosen. For weak and emaciated animals, potency 30C or below is advisable. Clear cut cases with strong mental symptoms are right candidates for high potency. Unclear case should be given low potency drug (Pitcairn, 1992). As soon as relief is observed, the drug administration should be stopped. Overmedication is the great error in homeopathic prescribing. In homeopathic prescribing, number of pillules taken in a single dose is less important. What matters is its potency and frequency.

Case taking in homeopathy is based on five themes such as Philosophy of Homeopathy, Materia Medica of Homeopathy, The case, Case Analysis and Case Management (Owen, 2007). Themes i. Philosophy – Clinical practice of homeopathy is based on the principles and key concepts of homeopathy as detailed in Chapter 2 and 12. ii. Materia Medica- It is in the core of understanding of the practice of homeopathy providing the information how the remedy pictures are developed and expressed in different ways. It allows the practitioner to understand the patient and prescribe rationally. iii. The Case- The relationship between a homeopath (human /veterinary) and patient (animal or human) is in the center of the therapeutic process in case taking in homeopathy. It is more than a record of the consultation as case skills facilitate the level of revealing by the patient and the depth to which the homeopath perceives. iv. Case Analysis- Case analysis allows the matching of what is perceived of the patient with what is known of the remedies. Case analysis governs the order, pattern and interpretation that emerge in the healing process. The variety of case analysis strategies and methodologies available to the homeopath is a major factor that determines the breadth of their clinical competence.

Materia Medica The word ‘Materia medica’ is a Latin term that means medical matters or materials of medicine. All systems of medicine, based on drug therapies, have their own Materia medica. It is known by different names in different systems of medicine. It is termed as pharmacology in Allopathy, Dravya Guna in Ayurveda, Guna Padam in Siddha, and Materia Medica in Homeopathy. Pharmacology is based on physico-chemical properties of drug substances. Dravya Guna is based on Thridosa Sidhanda (vatha, pitha and kapha). Guna padam is based on Mucheer Amaippu (vatham, pitham, silatumam). Materia medica is based on dynamic properties of drugs applied on Law of Similars. General Materia Medica It is the body of collected knowledge about the therapeutic properties of any substance (drug) used for healing with their sources, preparations, doses, and use.

Constitution The word ‘constitution’ is derived from a Latin word “Constituere” that means to set up or to make up or to establish. Therefore, it is the structure, composition, physical make up or nature of something consisting inherited qualities modified by environment. Constitution in homeopathy is defined as the physical and mental makeup which is expressed through physical built, characteristics, desires, aversions, reaction including emotional and intellectual attributes. In other words constitution incorporates the individual’s combined physical body type (including nervous system and metabolism), mental thinking, style, emotional reactivity and temperament. Classification of constitution Human constitution has been classified in different ways in different systems of health care.

Homoeopathy is a different system of health care with a holistic, logical and philosophical tailor made approach in the treatment of an individual. The principles of management of diseases or treatment of diseases using homeopathy in animals are in no way different from that of human homeopathy. Homeopathy has potential to cure both human and animal diseases. Homeopathic Philosophy or Principles Management of diseases of humans or animals using homeopathy is based on eight basic principles or philosophies. 1. Similia Similibus Curentur- The basic philosophy of homeopathy is based on the ‘Similia Similibus Curentur’ (Latin) or Law of similars (like cures like) , natural law of healing. Which states that a disease can be cured by a drug or substance which is capable of producing similar symptoms in healthy subject when given in minute doses. The treatment in homeopathy is based on the similarity of symptoms of the patient to those of a drug described in Homoeopathic Materia Medica. Drug selection is based not only on the similarity of the presenting symptom, but also on modalities, constitution and temperament of the patient and exciting and fundamental causes.

Mastitis Mastitis is an economically important disease of dairy animals (cows and buffaloes) caused by a wide variety of pathogens (bacteria, some viruses, fungi).Major pathogens are Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Streptococcus uberis, Str. Dysagalactiae, Campylobactor, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Klebsiella spp. Pasteurella, Pseudomonas, Mycoplasma, Enterobactor, Trichosporon spp., Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida spp., Leptospira spp. and many more. Mastitis is also seen in lactating goats and sheep. As compared to ruminants mastitis is less common in bitches. Mastitis is an inflammatory disease of the udder parenchyma irrespective of its etiology. The disease occurs in clinical and subclinical forms. Clinical mastitis is of two types viz. acute mastitis and chronic mastitis. Subclinical mastitis is characterized by an increased number of somatic cells (>100,000 cells/ml) and/or pathogens in the milk with no apparent clinical change in the udder and milk. While clinical mastitis is associated with local (hot, pain full swelling of the udder) and general symptoms along with change in milk (increased cell count, increased pathogens, physical and chemical changes in the milk).

The practice of veterinary homoeopathy has existed since Hahnemann’s time. During recent years it has emerged from the shadows and appears to be growing exponentially, expanding in many directions. Veterinary homeopathy has strongest modern tradition in Europe particularly in Germany, France and Great Britain. European Union committee has urged recently to cut the use of antimicrobials in human as well as in animals to an essential level for maintaining the effectiveness of antimicrobials and to deal with the problems of emergence of resistance among microbes. Tradition of veterinary homeopathy is as old as humans. Initially homeopathic drugs viz. Aconitum napellus, Camphora, Nux vomica and Opium were used for the treatment of certain diseases of horses and cattle as early as 1833 by German Practitioner – Guillaume Lux. Since then veterinary homeopathy has progressed considerably despite the apparent difficulty in adopting the patient questioning technique, lack of expression of subjective feelings and lack of experimental data.

Preventive Homeopathy Homeopathy is entirely a unique philosophy different from that of conventional modern medicine. It is considered as a tailor made system of therapy administering a medicine fitting well in the totality of physical and psychological symptoms seen in an ailing individual whether it is human or animal. Homeopathy does not restrict to restoring health of ailing subjects (treatment of clinical diseases) but also offers scope for preventing diseases as well. It can play significant role in preventing enzootic and epizootic infectious diseases through administration of nosodes. Nosodes Nosodes are important class of homeopathic drugs specifically prepared from secretions or fluids of the diseased subjects or their infectious agents in the similar manner as other homeopathic drugs are made (process of dilution and succession). The word “nosode “ is derived from the Greek “nosos” (disease) and “eidos” (like). Nosodes are potentized remedies prepared from diseased tissues , discharges (products of disease) or disease causing agents (bacteria or virus) in a specialized manner following standard protocol. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann first prepared remedies from diseased tissues (mainly the miasmatic nosodes) for the three miasms (Psora, Sycosis and Syphilis) corresponding as Psorinum, Medorrhinum, and Syphylinum. Of which first two have common use in veterinary homeopathy. The nosodes have undergone proving similar to other drugs, and their use in veterinary homeopathy is in the same manner as with any other remedy i.e. matching patient symptoms with those of the remedy.

In India there are many scattered case reports on the use of homeopathic drugs in the treatment of certain ailments in animals with individual claims but these reports suffer from lack of evidence, repeatability, documentation and scientific fervor. During last 2-3 decades some reports on the evaluation of homeopathic medicines in the management of animal diseases have appeared in the literature as well as in professional seminars and conferences in India. The abstract summary of these works are given in this chapter. Clinical Studies Clinical Management of Udder Diseases of Riverine Buffaloes With A Homeopathic Complex J.P. Varshney and Ram Naresh (2004) An uncontrolled observational study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of a homeopathic complex in the management of clinical udder health problems of riverine buffaloes. Cases of subclinical mastitis were excluded from the study. A total of 102 mastitic quarters (fibrosed – 40, nonfibrosed – 62) and five cases each of blood in milk and udder oedema in lactating buffaloes were treated with a homeopathic complex consisting of Phytolacca 200C, Calcarea fluorica 200C, Silicia 30C, Belladonna 30C, Bryonia 30C, Arnica 30C, Conium 30C and Ipecacuanha 30C. The diagnosis of udder diseases and recovery criterion was based on physical examination of udder and milk and CMT/WST score. Bacteriological analysis and somatic cell count were not performed.Treatment was 80 and 96.72% effective in cases of fibrotic mastitis and non-fibrosed mastitis respectively. Recovery period was 21-42 days (fibrosed) and 4-15 days (non-fibrosed). Udder oedema and blood in milk responded favourably in 2-5 days. Cost of treatment was US$ 0.07 per day. The homeopathic complex medicine may be effective and economical in the management of udder health problems of buffaloes. Definitive conclusions are premature due to the limited number of observations and lack of control group.