Homeopathy and Rats

 Natural
Antibiotics 
Respiratory Infection 
Shock  
Pain Relief 
Bleeding 
Bumblefoot 
Burns 
Bladder infection 
Eye injuries 
Credits

 With homeopathy 30C potencies are preferable, allow sufficient time for the remedy to act. A single remedy or a combination preparation can be taken 3 times a day for 3 days a week at the most. Stop taking it and allow it to act for at least 3 weeks. The best situation that takes place after taking a remedy is a slight  aggravation of symptoms, due to the ‘like cures like’ principle. If the condition improves or worsens, stop using it sooner--this means it is working and no more is needed. Only resume or change the remedy if symptoms return. 

Remedies are best taken when nothing has been eaten for at least 15 minutes, and wait another 15 minutes before anything is taken into the mouth. 

Use of homeopathic remedies can never harm the body. If they do not work, they will not hurt, but an experienced practitioner can help you use them to the best effect.

Natural Antibiotics 

Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia) has antimicrobial properties, can be used diluted or neat as a mild antiseptic for wound cleaning.  May also help to discourage mites and fleas, if bathing your rat, try adding one or two drops to the water.  Can be bought from the Body Shop or most health food stores. 

Echinacea (purpurea, angustifolia and pallidais) is effective against a range of viruses, bacteria fungi and protazoa.  It is a natural broad spectum antibiotic and immune system booster.  Up to 10 drops can be added to your rat’s water 
bottle, to combat the symptoms of myco and other respiratory infections.  Try two or three weeks on then one week off, as continued use may cause lethargy.  If they won’t drink the treated water, add a drop of honey or sugar, they will love it, guaranteed!  Echinacea tincture is available from most health food stores, priced about 7ukp for the Bioforce brand. 

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadenis) also has strong antibiotic properties.  Especially effective if used with Echinacea. . Helps combat congestion and soothe inflammation of the mucous membranes.  Tincture available from most health food stores, also comes in tablet form. 

Garlic (Allium sativum) is antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial.  Opens up lungs and bronchial tubes and may possibly inhibit tumor cell formation (studies are currently being carried out by the NCI).  Try giving it in capsule form, or pouring garlic oil over food, some rats may eat raw garlic, but mine won’t. 

Licorice is antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory, but is suspected to cause neurological poisoning in rats. 

Propolis is used to protect beehives from microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and fungus. It sterilizes and disinfects virtually every aspect of the beehive from larvae to filling gaps in cells. The beehive is said to be the most hygenic construction in the natural world. In the Greek language, Propolis is broken down as Pro: In favor of, in defense against. Polis: city. 
Propolis can be used to speed the healing of wounds, (dab a drop on using the tip of your finger or a cotton bud).   Helps to soothe skin irritations, just dab some on the offending area, even if they lick it off it won’t harm them, in fact it will probably help (can be mixed with warm water and drunk - or gargled, by humans) 

Respiratory infections 

Try Pulsatilla 30c for mucusy cough (better in open air, worse from warmth or towards evening) 
Antimonium Tartaricum 30c for rattling, wheezing cough (better in fresh air, worse in cold weather,evening warmth, milk and sour foods) 
Aconite 6c (early stages or respiratory disease) (better in evening/night, warm room, worse in open air) 
Phosphorous 200c for chesty, hard racking cough (better in open air) 
Spongia Tosta for harsh & dry sounding or difficult breathing, (better from keeping head low, worse after sleep or in evening) 
Allium cepa for discharge from eyes and nose (better in fresh air, worse in warm room, evening) 

Shock 

Arnica 200c 
Aconite 30c 
Or Bach’s Rescue Remedy 

Pain relief 

Arnica – helps reduce pain and inflammation and helps control bleeding. 
Hypericum – helps relieve pain from areas rich in nerves such as fingers, toes, claws, tongue. 

Bleeding from wounds 

Ferrum Phosphoricum 6c (can be crushed and sprinkled in the wound) 

Bumble foot 

Calendula, echinacea and hypericum preferably in cream form, apply twice a day. 

Burns 

Urtica Urens tincture (one part to four parts water) soak gauze in solution, cover burn and keep wet. 
Cantharis 30c every 2 hours releives rawness and smarting 
Kali Bichromicum 6c every 2 hours if burns are deep. 

Bladder infection 

Cantharsis helps painful urination 
Phosphorous relieves constipation 
Arsenicum Album helps diarrhea after eating too much fruit 
Chamomilla helps releive watery, slimey stools 

Eye Injury 

Ruta Graveolens, for injury or pressure deep in eyeball 
Hypericum, good for areas rich in nerves 
 

Credits: 

Homeopathy for Health  
The Homeopathy Home Page 
Homeopathy Online  
The Homeopathic Medicine Chest 
The Rat Fan Club
 

 

If you have any tips that could be added, or if you have a query or amendment on any of the information given here, please email me.  This guide is not a be all and end all, therefore I do not accept liability for any illness or injury that results from use of any of the information provided here.  Most advice has been tried and tested, but I am not a Vet and cannot predict every eventuality.