Viral and Bacterial Involvement in Respiratory Infection | Alternative Therapy and Herbal Treatments for Dogs, Cats & Horses | Robert McDowells Alternative Medicine
Viral and Bacterial Involvement in Respiratory Infection
he whole question about
viral and bacterial involvement in respiratory infection is one which
has been skewed for a very long time as the medical profession had
nothing but antibiotics to offer. Originally the justification was to
give the antibiotics just in case a viral infection developed into
bacterial one which is of course a possibility as the thickened mucus
involved in a viral respiratory infection is an ideal breeding medium
for bugs.
However after nearly 50 years of overuse of
antibiotics in this manner we now have highly drug resistant strains of
bacteria and the cracks in plan A are becoming obvious. Plan A being to
give the dog an antibiotic to keep the 0wner feeling reassured that
medical help was being given while waiting for the dogs own immunity to
overcome the virus.
In fact of course it is the health of the immune system which is what
is important. A dog with a healthy immunity will be able to deal with a
viral infection quickly and easily and is also much less likely to
develop a secondary bacterial infection.
My approach to treating Canine Flu Virus (and also Kennel Cough) is the same as for any respiratory infection.
I treat primarily the immune system and support the health of the other
systems and tissues involved. I also encourage owners to allow the
infection to run its course to some extent, as one of the immune
systems responses hat of elevated temperature, is one of natures tools
to destroy viruses. These fragile organisms are very temperature
sensitive and are destroyed by elevated body temperature. (By the way
they are also destroyed by camphor which saturates intra cellular
fluids and kills viruses as they migrate from cell to cell.) There is a
marketing opportunity here for camphor bags built into dog collars.
My herbal treatment programs reflect this multi directional approach as follows:
I include the following herbs extracted into an organic cider vinegar base as described on my website:
http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/dog_kennel_cough.html
- Fresh Garlic as a natural antibiotic and blood cleanser (high in iron and sulphur)
- Elecampane as a lung tonic to improve the oxygen uptake
efficiency in the respiratory system (assists the immunity in oxidation
processes involved in fighting both viral and bacterial infection)
- Fenugreek which is a powerful lymphatic system tonic and
specific for the health of mucosal linings in the upper respiratory
system (to support the health of mucus linings and help prevent
secondary bacterial infection developing)
- Marshmallow as a demulcent also for the health of mucus linings especially in the bronchiales and lungs.
- Mullein is specific for irritated nasal passages.
- Nettle as a high iron tonic to assist the immunity generally.
- Maritime Pine to build up immunity at the deepest levels.
- Yarrow as an astringent tonic, blood tonic and a support to red blood cell production.
- Rosehips as the best upper level immunity tonic high in Iron, Vitamin C, Copper, Cobalt and as an adrenal and kidney tonic.
- Kelp to provide trace element support to the immune system and;
- Coltsfoot as a specific assistance to reduce a persistent cough.
These herbs are all
extracted into vinegar which in its own right is an antiviral,
antifungal, antibiotic and mucus membrane tonic.
All this
sounds pretty complex but all the ingredients are safe and natural all
work in harmony with your dogs own immunity to both deal with a current
infection and to build up the immunity after brush with the flu to
healthy levels essentially providing immunity against future infections.
Nowadays the secondary bacterial infections are now more drug resistant
than ever before and that generally the modern dog has a much lower
immunity generally in the 21st century than ever before, due mostly to
human interference with its natural diet and lifestyle.
Sorry about the length of the explanation but Robert hates to miss any opportunity to get the whole (holistic) message across.
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