Many readers have asked me to toss off a list of simple do-it-yourself, vet-approved treatments for simple injuries and illnesses. So, by popular demand, here is a brief rundown of my favorite home remedies for pets.
• For pet wounds and swellings, epsom salts are often helpful. As long as your pet will abide wet ministrations, epsom soaks and hot packs are a great adjunct to antibiotics and surgical attention. Sometimes they can even do the job on their own. See your vet first.
• Chamomile tea helps soothe upset human tummies, and I've used a strong dose of it for a number of skin ailments in pets. Make a strong brew, pour it into a clean spray bottle and let it chill in the fridge. Then spray it on red and raw skin liberally for an immediately soothing effect.
• For a flea problem, Borax powder complements the standard Frontline and Advantage regimen without all the toxins your standard bug-man lays down. It harms fleas by poking holes in their crunchy exoskeletons. Sprinkle the stuff on your floors, then sweep or vacuum up the excess.
• If you've got an itchy pet willing to hang out in a bathtub, finely ground oatmeal can be stirred into warm water for a super-soothing soak way cheaper than Aveeno. Pets with skin allergies, infections and any other itchy disease gain immediate relief with this approach.
• Hydrogen peroxide is great for disinfecting simple cuts and baking soda works wonders on the end of a pet's toothbrush, but in combination they can tame the foulest odors known to veterinary medicine: anal gland and skunk aroma. Add a third-cup baking soda to four cups of hydrogen peroxide along with a splash of Dawn dishwashing detergent. That's my recipe for eliminating the kind of smells that might have ended my veterinary career prematurely.
As with all home remedies, ask your vet before embarking on any DIY project that might affect your pet's health.
