| |  | | Dog and Wound Repair
Answered by: Kerry Hackett
Question from: Amy Robinson
Posted on: November 09, 2005
I wonder if you can recommend any herbs for my dog Ginger. She was degloved on her back leg 6 weeks ago(all the skin torn off) The vet was able to reattach the skin except for a size of a quarter. She is still very stressed after all the sedatives for the bandages changes. Her bandage has been off a week and I would like to know what herbs to help healing physically and emotionally.
Assuming all danger of infection has now passed, I would reccommend that you make up an infused tea of Calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis), St. John’s Wort leaf and flowers (Hypericum perforatum) and Comfrey leaf (Symphytum officinale). Mix equal parts of these three herbs and put two tablespoons of the blend into a bowl. Add two cups of boiling water and let steep, covered for 15 minutes. Let cool to lukewarm and then strain. Dip a clean cotton cloth into the tea and apply it to the area for as long as she will allow; do this four times a day, if possible. This tea can be used for 2-3 days before you make up your next batch. Keep in the fridge between use, but warm to body temerature before applying to her skin. Should the wound still be draining, omit the Comfrey from the list above. Internally, she could have a Calendula glycerite added to her food twice a day. Depending on the weight of the dog, dosing would be: 10lb: 10 drops twice a day, 20 lb: 20 drops twice a day, 40 lb: 2 ml twice a day, 75 lb: 4 ml twice a day.
It is also vitally important she be getting a nutritious homemade diet in order to provide her with the resources to repair her tissue. Please see the entry entitled, "Aging Dog with Arthritis" on this website for resources. In addition, it would be useful to add Vitamin C and E to her food to aid in the healing process. Depending on the size of your dog, you could dose as follows: Vitamin C: small dogs: 125mg twice a day; medium dogs: 500mg twice a day; large dogs: 750mg twice a day. Vitamin E: small dogs: 50iu once a day; medium dogs: 200iu once a day; large dogs: 400iu once a day.
Emotionally, I expect your dog is still dealing with the trauma that resulted in this condition as well as the numerous trips to see the vet. I would add Bach’s Rescue Remedy (diluted to 4 drops in 50ml spring water): one dropperful to her food twice a day. And don’t forget lots of love and companionship! The latter can go a long way to increase the speed of healing, both physically and emotionally.
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