Cage Mammals

Alternative Medicine for Cage Mammals

incl. Rabbit, Chinchilla, Guinea-Pig, Gerbil, Hamster, Chipmunk, Rat, Mouse

If you wish, go straight to the DISEASES list

Homeopathy – Herbs – Acupuncture – Chiropractic – Holistic Medicine – Natural Feeding

Many wonderful creatures come under the umbrella heading of cage mammals or cage pets, the wording of which almost implies that they were created for caging. This is clearly not the case. These species are included here, since they are likely to be met in the UK only in cage, zoo and domestic situations. In other parts of the world, they are, of course, ‘wild animals‘ and their needs would have been discussed on that page, were we not UK-based.

As we decide that we would like to keep rats, mice, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, guinea-pigs (cavies), chinchillas, chipmunks and others in cages, for our own pleasure, we must do all we can to ensure suitability and richness of their environment and optimum quality of life for these small mammals.

For a start, we should avoid buying wild-caught or imported animals. That trade simply encourages severe untold animal suffering, incurs massive death tolls and threatens wild species.

Consider whether the animal may be allowed to roam the house. Rabbits and chinchillas, for instance, can live free in the house, on account of their larger size. They make wonderful characters, when given a chance to express their full potential. While children can derive great pleasure from these animals, we must ensure that this is not to the cost of the pet, in welfare, comfort or health. Keeping such animals should be an opportunity for children to develop respect for animals and understand the responsibilities of keeping them.

Many species are very prone to idiosyncratic drug reactions, with modern conventional drug therapy. Happily, they respond well to homeopathic input (which does not carry this risk) without these adverse effects. This makes the treatment of sick animals very rewarding to the veterinary homeopath. Their susceptibility to stress, shock and fright can lead to acute problems, which can also often be successfully treated with homeopathy.

We usually see these pets at the AVMC premises but house visits can also be arranged, more or less UK-wide.

Whether we see a pet at the AVMC or at home, we look closely at previous veterinary history and results of any tests or investigations. We take an extensive history, enquire into diet and lifestyle, ask about management of the cage, home, garden and other environments and examine the patient closely.

The use of homeopathy and other alternative therapies does not rule out the need for a proper examination and assessment of each individual patient, necessary diagnostic tests, appropriate measures to repair injury and a study of natural lifestyle and diet (special for each species or type), in order to be able to speed recovery. We have enjoyed a good measure of success through this methodology, seeing, as in other species, recoveries from diseases which are usually associated with a poor prognosis in conventional terms and wisdom.

Holistic medicine and management implies that the environment, the diet, the animal’s individual nature and demeanour and the interaction with humans are all taken into account and modified for optimum health.

Have you ever been told that your animal is now untreatable?
Are you concerned about the safety of modern drugs for your animal?
Do you know what is in the foods or supplements you are using?
Are you confused by manufacturers' claims?

There may be another way …. Holistic methodology may provide some of the answers you are seeking.

Abscess (Rabbits)	Actinomycosis	Alopecia	Calici virus	Campylobacter
Chlamydia	Dermatitis		Diarrhoea	Encephalitozoon
Fleas				Haemorrhagic Disease
Listeriosis	Middle / Inner Ear Disease	Myxomatosis	Pasteurellosis	Pining
Pneumonia	Pododermatitis	RHDV – VHD	Ringtail	Ringworm
Scurvy	Shock	Stress	Tooth Problems	Wet Tail