Natural Remedies for Small Animals

I am utterly dumbfounded by how little knowledge is available on the Internet when it comes to saving my pet rabbit, guinea pigs or even chickens when they have health issues. With all the craze on organics and alternative medication there is today, why are we still feeding them processed food and why is the only solution always to bring them to the vet? Isn't there a natural pathway for animals as well? Why are we still prescribing antibiotics when we know that it can cause just as much harm to them especially without probiotics?

My guinea pig has Upper Respiratory Infection (URI). I know that because he is wheezing, not squeaking as he usually does. Cookie was born in our home, so I am not about to let this one go. He is only about 3 months old. 

I came across this weed in our garden: Ribwort Plantain and Googled it. It is known for healing upper respiratory symptoms in small animals and humans. It turns out Google can only work backwards. That means if you search for an answer, you will not find a solution but if you search for a solution and look for it's benefit, you will find what it cures. Possibly because the search engine has been messed with to only produce answers they want you to receive -- i.e. to go to the vet, and to use antibiotics. But if you play the guessing game, and search for it's benefits, you just might find it.

So here's what to do with URI in your guinea pig:

1. Vitamin C -- Kale (93mg/100g) and other dark leafy greens. Google says turnips are one of the highest (21mg/100g), so search for Vitamin C per 100g for each vegetable to find which has the highest. Orange peels have 136mg/100g, 7mg more than lemon peels. What else can you think of?

2. Hydration - tons of water for the poor fella

3. Weeds like Ribwort Plantain (for respiratory issues) and Dandelions (Vitamin C - 35mg/100g).

Let me know how it goes with your little guy.

Here's a link I found if you need to know more about or intend to plant the Ribwort Plantain:

https://youtu.be/Vo9XANt_iqs?si=UDzmJDLAeZb_FdOh