[grayarabs]

As there are increasing cases of PF in the Houston area now I am wondering
about a possible homeopathic remedy. As a preventative. Like Ledum against Lyme Disease.

I believed the statements there is/was no Lyme Disease in Texas. Had I even suspected the possibility of Lyme and had heard of Ledum I think I would have tried it. Too late. After years of being sick and not knowing why I recently tested positive on the new culture test.

Any research on what remedies might be effective against PF?

[cute_lil_fancy_pants_pony]

Yes, I have one I can sell you, send me a PM, its only $50 an ounce!

[Calvincrowe]

Best "remedy" for a bacteria carried by flies and that lies dormant in soil? Control flies, and don't pasture/turnout in a place that has had cases of PF??

You can't prevent bacterial infection with a drop or spray or food, can you?

[Edgar]

We have had over 40 cases and most if detected early reabsorb and go away within a week to 10 days when treated. If too big already and or open it would heal much quicker. It also did not return. It can go on for many months without treatment and usually the horse is unharmed in the end but it is an ugly mess for a long time which puts an end to showing or sales.

[grayarabs]

I guess I should have expected this kind of response.

For the serious-minded do some research on homeopathic Belladonna and various epidemics in Europe in the 1800's. For starters.

Yeah, I poo-pooed the idea of homeopathy in the past.

Now I'm not so sure.

I have an appointment for myself next week with a MD who now only practices classical homeopathy. Will see. If you are nice I might report back on it.

[ToTheNines]

If you mean "non medical" or preventative ideas, there is a holistic vet named Madalyn Ward who wrote this very interesting article. I have a great deal of respect for her ideas. I have been making sure mine have plenty of Vit A.

http://blog.horseharmony.com/holisti...-be-prevented/

[deltawave]

This serious minded individual has reviewed the available literature on homeopathy in very significant detail. The answer is "no". No matter how much we try, we cannot get around the laws of nature, except by the power of belief. That is why homeopathy is still around. For minor maladies that annoy and worry, it may have an effect by making the individual feel as though something has been done. Since many things are subjective, it even works on animals, through the eyes of those that observe them.

People jump right in with "animals aren't subject to the placebo effect", which is true, but a) this is a little bit more than the placebo effect in that it taps more into beliefs in something "special" and "different" than just another pill or drug, and b) people who use these are generally LOOKING FOR SIGNS that the products work, and when one goes looking, one often finds.

In NO properly conducted scientific study of homeopathic remedies has there ever been demonstrated a significant, reproducible, meaningful effect on an actual disease. For colds, allergies, aches and pains, headaches, minor ailments, maybe, but that again is in the realm of maladies that are evanescent by nature and get better on their own, maybe sped along by the good vibrations of having "done something" but certainly not by the vibration of a single molecule among quadrillions of them.

The very premise is non-scientific, and therefore is either non-sensical or supernatural. Those who argue that it works on levels we just aren't aware of yet are refuting Hahnemann himself, who had a theory that just happened to be dead wrong. Which is fine, but if that's the defense being given, then we should call it metaphysical or quantum molecular healing and not homeopathy.

[Guilherme]

"Homeopathy" is based upon a Witch's Brew of wishful thinking, poor science, and historical error.

Once upon a time all remedies were "natural" and that's because Pasteur, Lister, and Wood had not yet done their things. Nor had so many of the other giants, on whose shoulders we stand.

Our ignorance has lead to a large spike in human diseases, like measles and Whooping Cough (with its attendant infant deaths). We are foolish beyond measure to allow this to happen in the equine world.

G.

[Long Spot]

You can't prevent bacterial infection with a drop or spray or food, can you?

Well, you can prevent the flies that carry it around with a few different spray options, but given the question the OP asked, I'm gonna go out on a limb and suppose that she's probably not down with those. Could be wrong.

Having had this in the barn once, Grayarabs, this wouldn't be something I'd be willing to try homeopathic with. If there are outbreaks around you, carry the proverbial big stick with your fly control and who your horse/s are exposed to.

Good luck, and hope you stay PF free.

[LauraKY]

Grayarabs, if you have Lyme, don't screw around with homeopathic remedies. I use an alternative Lyme specialist and even he uses antibiotics...they're necessary. Get tested for co-infections too. There are some herbal preparations that can be helpful, but from all research I've read, antibiotics are necessary.

[cute_lil_fancy_pants_pony]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0

[Twisting]

I found this quote somewhere, which pretty much sums up alternative medicine perfectly.

""Alternative Medicine" has either not been proven to work, or been proven not to work. You know what they call “alternative medicine” that’s been proven to work? Medicine.”

[Edgar]

That is funny and honestly I have only interest in remedies that work. With Pigeon fever there is no approved medicine or homeopathic than works for it. So I am happy to have a remedy that does work

[caballus]

For NOSODES:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"It is always better to PREVENT a disease than treating its pathological damaging affects. I have a FDA approved homeopathic Detox Equine Pigeon Fever nosode 30C to build the protective immunity against this highly contageious bacteriam. It comes with full instructions for use. One bottle of 250 tabs will service 3 horses. Booster yearly." --

http://www.holisticvetpetcare.com/pi...ado-horses.htm

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Gerald Wessner: Dr. Wessner has developed homeopathic protocols for EPM/Herpes, Lymes Disease, Rattlesnake bites, Pigeon fever, Strangles, Heartworm disease, Cushings Disease, Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism. These are some of the diseases that have been cured through the use of homeopathics and all these diseases can be prevented by using the appropriate nosode (homeopathic vaccination) which can be ordered from the Holistic Vet Clinic. Homeopathics can also cure problems caused by or influenced by vaccinations such as ulcers, irritable bowel disorder, itchy skin problems in horses and dogs, low immune systems and recurring urinary tract infections. By the use of telephone consultations, Dr. Wessner evaluates the vaccination schedule, feeding programs, supplements, wormers (both intestinal and heartworm), medications and drinking water so that the best methods are used so the animals may enjoy the best health possible. Homeopathics and herbs are prescribed to cure, detox or help the healing process. I can personally recommend Dr. Wessner from my own experiences.

To arrange a phone consultation or an appointment if in the Florida area, call The Holistic Vet Clinic at 352-245-2025 or visit him on the web at: www.holisticvetclinic.net.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
For some encouragement and perhaps contact one of these people:

http://www.medicinegarden.com/homeop...caseHorse.html

http://www.holistichorse.com/Disease...ers-story.html

http://www.thinklikeahorse.org/image...on%20Fever.pdf

[deltawave]

Got evidence?

How does this guru evaluate drinking water over the telephone?

Can you please explain what homeopathics and herbs have to do with one another?

Nosodes are the one thing that might be even more ridiculous than "regular" homeopathics--grinding up dried pus and pieces of tissue in the hopes that a speck of it will "cure" something like Cushing's disease!

Yes, I mock. This is quackery in the extreme. Not to mention dangerous. The cure for mocking is evidence. Got any?

From the following article: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/...ces-to-pieces/

Only homeopathy has the honor of being the only SCAM based totally on fantasy.

and

Delusions are irrational beliefs, held with a high level of conviction, that are highly resistant to change even when the delusional person is exposed to forms of proof that contradict the belief. Non-bizarre delusions are considered to be plausible; that is, there is a possibility that what the person believes to be true could actually occur a small proportion of the time. Conversely, bizarre delusions focus on matters that would be impossible in reality. For example, a non-bizarre delusion might be the belief that one’s activities are constantly under observation by federal law enforcement or intelligence agencies, which actually does occur for a small number of people. By contrast, a man who believes”* that the fundamental precepts of homeopathy* are true “holds a belief that could never come to pass in reality.

[NorCalDressage]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0

OMG - that made my day.

[NorCalDressage]

As there are increasing cases of PF in the Houston area now I am wondering
about a possible homeopathic remedy. As a preventative. Like Ledum against Lyme Disease.

I believed the statements there is/was no Lyme Disease in Texas. Had I even suspected the possibility of Lyme and had heard of Ledum I think I would have tried it. Too late. After years of being sick and not knowing why I recently tested positive on the new culture test.

Any research on what remedies might be effective against PF?

California is the mecca of PF. So we have a pretty good amount of knowledge of it....

IME, the most effective thing in preventing PF is regular use of highly chemical (i.e. effective) fly spray. Liberal use over any scrapes or breaks in the skin.

[SanJacMonument]

Personally, I'm impressed at the amount of horse owners in Houston who are starting to ramp up their fly control management procedures - like picking up and removing manure from their property - because of PF.

All I can say is - It's About Time!

My vet thinks it will get worse before it gets better around here.

[grayarabs]

I don't know if PF is reportable and there would be a map showing areas where the horses are being infected ie current hot spots. Or at least zip codes like for West Nile.

[deltawave]

I think since it's related to drought, the outbreaks are going to probably be really changeable with rainfall amounts. This would be different than the typical diseases carried by biting insect vectors and direct animal-to-animal transmission, which lend themselves perhaps better to "mapping".

I wonder if individual state departments of agriculture would keep track of this data?