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Homeopathy 2021; 110(01): 062-066
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1716392
Case Series

Homeopathic Treatment of Pododermatitis in Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus)

Franscinne Brait Narita 
1   Institute Argonauta para Conservação Costeira e Marinha/Sabina Zoo, Escola Parque do Conhecimento, Santo André, Brazil
2   High Dilution Science, São Caetano do Sul, Brazil
4   Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Bruna Scardoeli
2   High Dilution Science, São Caetano do Sul, Brazil
,
Hugo Gallo Neto
3   Institute Argonauta para Conservação Costeira e Marinha/Ubatuba Aquarium, Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil
,
Cidéli de Paula Coelho
2   High Dilution Science, São Caetano do Sul, Brazil
4   Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract

Background Problems with the feet are common in penguins, with a particular predisposition to pododermatitis. This condition usually occurs due to the changes in normal activity that result from being held captive, but its precise pathogenesis is still undetermined.

Methods/Patients This veterinary case study reports the use of oral homeopathic treatment on acute and chronic pododermatitis in five Magellanic penguins in a zoological park setting. During treatment, the patients remained in the penguins' living area, and the effect of the treatment on the progression of their lesions was assessed visually once weekly. The treatment consisted of a combination of Arnica montana and Calcarea carbonica.

Results After treatment, the appearance of the lesions had noticeably improved: in the majority of penguins there was no longer evidence of infection or edema in the feet. The rate of recovery depended on the initial severity of the lesion. Those penguins that still showed signs of infection nevertheless exhibited a clear diminution of the size and thickness of the lesions. Homeopathic treatment did not cause any side effects.

Conclusion Homeopathy offers a useful treatment option for pododermatitis in captive penguins, with easy administration and without side effects.

Keywords

veterinary homeopathy - penguins - pododermatitis - zoological park

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 25 February 2020

Accepted: 26 June 2020

Article published online:
14 December 2020

© 2020. Faculty of Homeopathy. This article is published by Thieme.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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