Probably the most important homeopathic remedy to have on hand at all times is ARNICA MONTANA 30C. Called Leopard's Bane, the mountain daisy is used to being trampled on, yet survives beautifully as it hangs onto mountain sides and cliffs high up. Arnica is used for those numerous bumps and bruises that we all endure in our lives that leave us with that trampled on and beat up feeling. TRAUMATIC INJURIES like car accidents - whether in the car or being hit by a car, Arnica can control shock, reduce pain and stop bleeding - making this remedy a true lifesaver. TRAUMA from FALLS, BLOWS and CONTUSIONS to the body call instantly for Arnica especially if it elicits a fear of touch or being approached. Bruises dissipate quickly. Blows to the Head, CONCUSSION, Cerebral congestion. Getting cracked in the head from that softball you didn't see while out in left field, to the super pig that thinks he can fly high only to misjudge the true height of that sofa will find Arnica quick relief. Also used for any present ailment that can be traced back in time to an injury, no matter how remote, Arnica can go in and heal the past.

One of the first things that we decide when bringing a new pig into our lives is if we will neuter/spay or let them breed. Most of us open our homes to pot bellied pigs as house companion animals, and neutering/spaying is done at an early age or shortly after we adopt them into our families. Here, a few doses of Arnica before surgery and for 3-5 days afterwards helps control bleeding while in surgery, promote healing and alleviate that sore, lame and bruised feeling usually felt afterwards. For the breeders who choose to do this before the piglets leave home, while they still have their mother to help nurture them afterwards, you can give Arnica in their water dish or to their mother if they are still nursing. Don't forget to give Arnica before and after your pig gets their tusks trimmed. Jaws ache after going to the dentist, for me even if just to get my teeth cleaned. For a pig, they have the added trauma of anesthesia as well as tusk trimming, not to mention anything else that they can get done like ears, eyes, and hooves, while that pig is out cold! Arnica will quickly relieve the achiness and also help stave off infection, too - as will CALENDULA OFFICINALIS .

Calendula 30C and in Mother Tincture is commonly known as the pot marigold and is seen growing in gardens across the world. It is one of the most remarkable healing agents found when applied locally to open wounds. Calendula is ANTIBACTERIAL and Calendula tincture added to water can be used to top dress wounds, even jagged gaping ones, by keeping INFECTION at bay as well as SCAR TISSUE. Calendula can keep proud flesh from forming on horses making it valuable to the showman as well. Using it as a mouth wash after having teeth removed or dental work done can help heal sore tissues and again, prevent infection. It can be used on ulcers that refuse to heal and superficial scalds and burns, as well as injuries or operations to eyes being used in the form of an eyewash.

When used internally in potency, it can prevent internal scar tissue from forming after surgery and speed recovery by increasing the speed with which incisions mend. The quick healing without scar tissue helps prevent adhesions from forming also, which can be very dangerous, not to mention painful. It is also one of the first remedies to consider if there is postsurgical infection.

One of the first times that my husband and I decided it was safe to get a baby-sitter and go out to dinner and a movie after Clover came to live with us, we called home to check in on everyone only to hear that a neighbor's dog had gotten into our yard and attacked Clover. The sitter said that he seemed okay, but we dashed home to see for ourselves. Finding our little guy a bit scared and sporting 9 puncture holes in his back and side, we flushed them out and washed them down with Calendula lotion (made from the tincture and water) and gave him a dose of LEDUM PALUSTRE 30C.

Ledum or Marsh Tea is the #1 remedy used for puncture wounds and animal bites (including mosquito bites). Always remember to use this remedy first as it can prevent tetanus!!! Puncture wounds that have a bluish cast of colour around them call for Ledum.

Ledum is a special remedy in that it can be used prophylactically, 1 day before and 3 days after vaccinations, to help stave off vaccinosis - ailments due to and reactions from vaccinations. A highly volatile topic these days is the vaccination issue. Severe damage and death caused by vaccinations have placed this topic among one of the most frightening issues that a parent and pet owner have to face these days. The over prescription of antibiotics pale in comparison to this issue, so the most important thing you can do when regarding the vaccination issue is to read up on it. There are many good books that are highly researched out there that you can obtain from your local library or book store to help you decide what your course of action will be. I believe that the most important thing to do is to make an informed decision regarding vaccinations. Don't make one out of fear, because when we are fearful, we do not have clearness of thought and mind. We do not vaccinate in our family anymore, but if we had to for some reason beyond our control, Ledum would be used before and after. For the hot debater who says that only 1% or 1 in 100 will be seriously damaged by a vaccine, remember, to that family it is 100%. Read up - be educated - then proceed with a course that you can live with!

By the way, Clover healed up quite nicely without any further care except for plenty of loving and a better fence that we put up to keep dogs out. But the strangest thing happened - the next day while out doors, he started to bark like a dog! We hear it now whenever he and Harry race around the yard while playing.

HYPERICUM PERFORATUM 30C is also a puncture wound remedy but is most re-knowned for it's therapeutic healing abilities to injuries to nerve rich areas. You know how it gets your attention when you shut your finger in the car door?! Hypericum. How about getting your wisdom teeth removed?!! Hypericum, too. It is also wonderful for: hooves that are trimmed too short, root canals, crushed extremities like fingers and toes, injuries to the spine, spinal cord and brain!!! Slipped disks that send pain radiating along a nerve to another area of the body cry out for Hypericum. It works better than morphine in relieving pain after operations, has the constant drowsiness that concussion victims exhibit, and as with Ledum, can prevent lockjaw (more commonly known as tetanus). It is my sincere hope that you never need to administer this particular remedy, but if you find you have accidently shut your head in the stall door, stubbed your toe on your kid's toy truck, or your 100 pound pig has just done one of those fancy pirouettes on your bare foot, hobble on over to the pig cupboard and grab some Hypericum. You'll be glad you did.

Please remember, there is no substitution for professional emergency care in severe, emergency, or life threatening situations. These remedies are intended for use while en route to emergency facilities, or while waiting for your veterinarian to arrive.