When A Bitch Refuses Covering

I. INTRODUCTION

It sometimes happens that in canine reproduction, introducing organs in one another is a major obstacle for the breeder trying to ensure reproduction. The bitch may refuse covering for a variety of reasons, some of which are treated by homeopathy quickly and efficiently enough to save having to wait for the next oestrus or resort to some sort of canine rape, with or without human assistance. As usual in homeopathy, it is always worth studying the origins of the problem before looking for a solution.

II. AETIOLOGY

A. NOT IN THE MOOD
1. Oestral cycle regularity
One of the main prerequisites for a bitch to accept mating is, of course, her cycle period: if not in oestrus, she will promptly refuse. A serious anamnesis will help, checking potential anomalies in her cycle, which might be too soon, too short or insufficient. There are actually quite a few possibilities. In this particular case, using homeopathy seems preferable to using hormones or prostaglandins prone to enhance disturbances or reverse them, without necessarily solving the matter.
2. The right moment in the cycle
Some well informed breeders maintain that the best time for covering is between the 8^th and 13^th day after the beginning of blood discharge. This calls for comments: such figures are based on a statistical average and, as such, are to be considered cautiously. Coverings performed from day 4 up to day 21 after the onset of oestrus have proved successful. One must add that proroestrus manifestations are sometimes very discrete.  When in doubt, it is best to rely on vaginal smears, which are easy to obtain and fast (if you limit yourself to the extemporaneous colouring test with methylene blue). This last method is quite reliable, even for someone not used to testing it. It is rather simple to spot the significant anucleate keratined cells gathering to form feather-like pictures. Bitches not conforming to this standard are the exception. On the same smear one can see if there is an inflammation (presence of many leucocytes) or a hemorrhage (presence of many red blood cells). The microscope image helps in detecting an infection or an excessive amount of white cells or red corpuscles.

B. PAIN
Physical malformations sometimes occur in bitches, which is another reason to perform a full and thorough clinical examination. Physical deformities may be hereditary, congenital or acquired. They mostly pose mechanical problems, and, as such, call for mechanical, or rather surgical solutions.
1. Spontaneous malformations
Any kind of genital infantilism or congenital malformations may be met in bitches. They are not common, but nonetheless, they exist. Such cases lead to a first dilemma: is it worth it to reproduce such infirmities by reproducing the animal? The congenital problem of “barred vulva”, so common in the Picard shepherd dog, also happens in other breeds. The vulva looks as if it’s been swallowed towards the inside of the body and seems horizontally barred by a fold of skin. All the different stages between a standard canine vulva and a barred one may occur in a bitch. Obviously any mating trial may induce problems related to finding the right way and getting through. Unfortunately, more often this results in pain for the bitch. An experienced male might be able to perform his duty, but any novice risks suffering from twisting its called upon extremity. And, in such cases, both male and female after such a traumatic and painful experience, will most likely avoid giving it another try. This deformity may either be overruled by an experienced reproducer or by a minor surgical intervention opening the vulva vertically.
2. Acquired malformations
Most of them are scars, consequences of difficult or acrobatic births, inducing wounds and sometimes stenosis in the female genital organs. A careful anamnesis will help understand precisely what is the cause of them. A viciated callus of the pelvis bone may obstruct the passage and call for a cesarean operation.
3. Vaginal dryness
This particular problem is often overlooked by our colleague allopaths. It is however well known and recorded in homeopathic pathogeneses. Knowing about such a matter is one of the many advantages of a homeopath womaniser, inasmuch as it helps determining the best timing for a successful approach.
4. Inflammatory pains
i.e. problems of swelling, inflammation, vaginitis, etc.
5. Pains of a spasmodic origin
i.e. problems of vaginism, due to plain hyperesthesia or psychological problems.

C. Fears
A first essential enquiry will allow us to check whether the intraspecific socialisation of the puppy followed a normal course. It is actually obvious, that human impregnation on an orphan puppy may prejudice the reproductive future of an animal, believing it is human. Once this option is discarded, there remains fears, anxieties and sometimes aversions. This is where homeopathy may prove the most successful. Most fears can be classified according to several criteria:
1. Fear of being approached
There is common fear of someone approaching, “Fear, approaching him, of others” (Barthel I p. 468). There is also the fear of being touched “touched lest he be (Barthel I, p. 468, subparagraph of the previous) with noticeably Arnica ++++ as the leading remedy and Rhododendron in the first degree (Barthel).
When too many people watch the mating (particularly for an inexperienced couple), think of a possible fear of crowds. In such case, the remedy is not to be swallowed, it simply consists in sending the audience away.
2. Fear of the unexpected
Or fear something will happen, “Fear happen, something will” (Barthel I p. 490). In such cases, fear is due to previous problems. But such an anxiety is too vast to be only due to covering attempts.
3. Fear of pain
Due to memories of an unhappy experience with violent proceedings during the intercourse. Natrum Muriaticum, Gelsemium or Ignatia may prove useful to such females, whether we are talking of a past experience bitterly remembered, or a more general fright (for the last two remedies).
4. Fear of the male
I wouldn’t transpose the chapter “Fear, men of” as such to account for psychological reluctance towards covering, as I do believe other connotations (other than sexual) are involved.

III. CURE
A. Principle
Three things are to be borne in mind :

• A single period of heat per year is not always a pathological phenomenon in primitive canine breeds (by the way, do not confuse primitive canine breeds with highly selected breeds with a high level of consanguinity).

• Oligoelements and more particularly a combination of Copper and Zinc (Cuivre-Zinc Oligosol â„¢) may prove very useful to regulate the pituitary gland and, from there, endocrine secretions.

• Although the bleeding physiology is different in women and bitches, in repertorial practice, the two can be treated alike. Let’s say that experience confirms the therapeutic opportunity of such confusion. That general physiology may argue against it (the only obvious resemblance being that in both cases an elimination occurs) is beside the point.

B. Repertorial approach
1. Rubrics (psychological Aspect)
a) Vagueness and confusion

b) Fear of “men”

c) Anticipation

d) Aversion

e) Physical impossibility

(1) Pain

f) Å’dema, swelling

g) Inflammation

h) Spasms

2. some important remedies (psychological problems)
One single dose in 30CH is enough in most cases to get things back to normal, provided there are no organic lesion.
a) Arnica
In most cases, the subject is sthenic, plethoric. After a trauma (which may be moral) or after physical exertion, she is indifferent to others and oversensitive. Nervous, but unable to endure pain, she wants to stay alone and is afraid that others may come near for physical contact, perceived as a cause for pain. Do not forget a predisposition to haemorrhage and aggravation with movement.
b) Argentum nitricum.
Stage fright, fear caused by anticipation and anxious fidgeting are her idiosyncrasies. At a vaginal level, we often note a profuse and itching leucorrhea prone to ulceration and haemorrhage. A neuritis or a painful left ovaritis are good concomitants. The fears of Argentum nitricum, her longing for sweets and her flatulence, added to a tendency to run to move in any way, with sometimes a diarrhoeic discharge of a pasty aspect before the planned time to leave make good key symptoms.
c) Causticum
Sad and almost desperate, Causticum is afraid of everything and more particularly of the future, not only hers but also the future of others. Problems may take place after long going emotional problems. She’s prone to warts and her skin is filthy and unhealthy. She’s a dried up and weakened, agitated being, looking stiff and senile, with rheumatisms, usually located on her rear end. Paraplegic rear disorders are often noted following nerve disorders in the pony tail area. Aversion to sexual intercourse seems, then, rather obvious.
d) Gelsemium
Fear in a crowd, in public places and in anticipation. This fear is characterised by prostration, muscular weakness and mental apathy with sometimes shaking of the entire body. The body feels hot, the face looks inert, as if numb. The pulse is slow in spite of hyperthermia and cerebral congestion. The absence of thirst with this remedy is a well known fact. Emotional diarrhoea may not be controlled. The spastic tendency in this family may induce vaginism. The va-gina is extremely sensitive although not painful.
e) Ignatia
Fear or general apprehension is aggravated during menstruation. In other words, in times of heat for a bitch, the situation is far from improving. An overall sensorial hyperesthaesia seems to be the rule (Nux-v). The aetiology of hiccups, sighs, empty swallowing and yawning caused by a repressed sorrow are abnormally frequent. Sometimes, when scared, the nose may start watering, almost like an open tap (the latter is a personal observation). Tics and muscular spasms are frequent. Easily frigid, menstruation is either too frequent or too long to occur, too profuse or almost non existent. The important spasmodic aspect (hiccups, yawning, abdominal colitis with gargles and other noises) may induce vaginism. However, paradoxical as she is, Ignatia will endure pain before, rather than during sexual intercourse.
f) Lycopodium
“Fear of men”. Actually, with this remedy, there is an interesting mixture of cowardice and need to dominate and dictate. With such a frame of mind, to have someone sniffing your backside and then getting over you seems rather problematic. There may also be pain in the left ovary. A dry va-gina makes intercourse painful. Lycopodium looks undernourished and menstruation often comes late, lasts long and her bleeding is profuse.
g) Natrum muriaticum
Fear and anxiety through anticipation are idiosyncrasies of Natrum muriaticum, although not as well acknowledged as her agitation, her nervous tenseness and clumsiness. Hyperthyroidian, very sensitive and willing to be alone, she is aggravated by any form of consolation. The psychological side of the aetiology is very important. It’s a direct consequence of a sorrow, the loss of a dear one, a pain (which she has kept turning over silently). The permanent quest for her osmotic balance induces a dryness of the mucous membranes including the vagina, hence an aversion to intercourse, even more in anaemic subjects.
h) Pulsatilla
Pusatilla is a flirt, apparently ready for anything, only to say no before the expected moment. She’s a teenager, unable to live with her libido. She needs physical contact, petting and stroking to be reassured but panics at the thought of sex. The bitch will provoke the male, entice him and, at the critical moment, she will simply sit and discourage her mate with a nasty bark. If he insists, she will bite; but, if he leaves, fed up with her show, she will start her seduction display all over again.
3. Some important remedies (extreme sensitivity)
a) Belladonna
Remember the well known foursome: Calor, Rubor, Tumor, Dolor ; add to it that the inflammation taking place (because of this extreme sensitivity) usually strikes a sthenic and subplethoric subject. Add to it a wild and ferocious look.
b) Cantharis
The look in the eyes is almost as wild (Boericke) as in a Spanish fly. Her anxious and feverish agitation makes her busy, but she never finishes what she’s started. A burning inflammation somewhere is almost always accompanied by uro-genital symptoms with a perpetual and constant if rarely fulfilled need to urinate. Cantharis is also a great remedy for postpartum (abortion, placenta retention, puerperal metritis with cystitis). Her overwhelming libido is close to nymphomania and vaginal labiae are swollen, black, very sensitive with pain in the ovaries or coccyx.
c) Ignatia
See above.
d) Lachesis
Agitated and ill at ease, jealous, suspicious, aggravated in the mornings and very talkative, Lachesis cannot bear the feel of a collar or being firmly maintained in place. Her disorders are often the consequence of a discharge suppression. Left laterality and aggravation at night or with hot temperatures are clearly marked. Any oncoming discharge results in amelioration. There is a marked tendency to haemorrhage, bleeding and septicity. Her left ovary may be swollen, painful and indurated. Nipples and genital organs are inflamed and of a worrying purplish blue hue.
e) Muriatic acid
Ill tempered, in a bad mood, very agitated, sad and sulking, she also has a high temperature and is very prostrated. There are two main acting areas for this remedy: the mouth (aphthae, deep tongue ulcers, gingivitis, tartar, halitosis) and the anus – the most painful of all, with prolapsus and sometimes fecal incontinence during urination. Leucorrhea, inflamed anus during heat, genital organ ulcers are possible but more often the neighbouring areas are more sensitive, which is why she tries to avoid sexual intercourse.
f) Platina
Vaginal dryness is accompanied by a great sensitivity (aggravated before menstruation), enough to make coition painful. The idiosyncratic spasms of heavy metals easily lead to painful vaginism during sexual intercourse. On the other hand, her vaginal sensitivity and vulva pruritis, combined with an increased libido make her show a provoking and enticing attitude, nevertheless closer to that of an inexperienced adolescent than a well trained nymphomaniac. Prideful and condescending as she is, she sees everything smaller, despises others and gets angry enough to feel the urge to kill.
g) Sepia
Like Natrum muriaticum, Sepia is an extremely sensitive solitary being, sad and languid, but quickly ameliorated by intense physical activity. She tends to be flatulent and her liver is in no good shape, for which the main sign is a massive hair loss. In young ones, fontanels may subsist. At the same time, she experiences vaginal dryness, hence a positive aversion to coition, which makes even more sense as she suffers during sexual intercourse. Her ptosis does not help.
h) Staphysagria
Mentally hypersensitive, Staphysagria experiences important communication and understanding problems with her master. She’s not very sociable and tends to sulk. Punishment or being yelled after makes her sick. Her genital organs are hypersensitive and make her suffer, particularly when sitting or during coition.
4. Some important remedies (oedema, swelling)
a) Apis
Colourless oedema, almost translucent, aggravated by touch and high temperatures, ameliorated by cold temperatures. The absence of thirst and amelioration when urinating are well known aspects of the remedy.
b) Arsenicum album
This anxious, sensitive to cold being cannot stand being stared at. Unable to stay in place, she even changes beds and would tend to spend her life on or against a heater. Burning pains are very much ameliorated with high temperatures. The animal inspires pity and ritualises any of her acts. Her owner would say that she has a clock in her head. Any secretions or excretions smell very strongly of decay. She needs company very much.
c) Belladonna
See above.
d) Kreosotum
Also suffers from a nasty smell, but this time even more like rotting matter. Pains in the head or down the coccyx make her react when stroked in these places. Nausea, haematemesis with undigested food vomiting two to three hours after a meal, are combined with an enormous appetite and extreme scragginess. Her urge to urinate is very sudden and overpowering with enuresis at the beginning of the night. Sometimes she can only urinate if lying down. An irritating, smelly leucorrhea with pruritis, shows on the vulva and labiae and a local oedema accounts for her hypersensitivity and pain during coition. She may suffer from haemorrhage after the intercourse.
e) Mercurius
The swelling here is phlegmonous. This remedy is more often encountered in cases of inflammation. Carefully checking other parts of the body may help the diagnosis: the swollen tongue shows the imprint of the teeth, the gums show a purple line, the overabundant saliva dribbles and smells very very bad. Greenish and bleeding leucorrhea and morning aggravation are also useful signs. The inflammation and oedema may lead to vaginism and sometimes spastic pains during coition.
f) Nitric acid
Nervous, agitated, ill at ease, prone to fits of anger, she is extremely sensitive to pain, to touch, to movement and even to noises. Palate ulcerations and gum haemorrhage induce halitosis and intense sialorrhea. Her tongue is clean, wet and red with a middle mark. Anal fissures with acute pains during and long after defecation. The swelling and oedema are more noticeable by the va-gina and come with ulcers, leucorrhea and metrorrhagiae (“blood from a steak” aspect).
g) Pulsatilla
See above (passive venous stasis).
h) Rhus toxicodendron
Yet another agitated and anxious being, always in motion. Most of the time, she either shows cartilage disorders or skin problems (with herpetic causes, and sometimes over infected). As she is aggravated by rest, she moves all the time and thus suffers extreme nervous tiredness leading to a lack of concentration and what looks like clumsiness. The inflammation of vulvar labiae may induce painful vaginism during coition.
i) Sepia
See above (blood stasis).
5. Some important remedies (inflammation)
a) Aconitum
In a state of panic, sthenic with congestion, Aconitum may prove very useful as a remedy to a panic attack or trauma (physical or mental), and more commonly as a cold cure. Aggravated in the evenings, her disorders appear very suddenly.
b) Belladonna
See above (active congestion).
c) Cantharis
See above.
d) Graphites
Stout and fat, sensitive to cold, flatulent and lymphatic, Graphites may show local inflammations, but always has other more general symptoms.
e) Helonias
This is very much a female remedy. It shows vulvar pruritis, leucorrhea and swollen and sensitive nipples. The vulva is red, hot and swollen. It burns and itches a lot. Albuminuria.
f) Mercurius
See above.
g) Mercurius corrosivus
Is even more caustic and irritating than Mercurius vivus or solubilis.
h) Rhus toxicodendron
See above.
i) Sepia
See above.
6. Some important remedies (spasms)
a) Aconitum
See above.
b) Belladonna
See above.
c) Cantharis
See above.
d) Caulophyllum
This remedy should not solely be used as a trial case for too long lasting or atonic births, or for wandering rheumatisms in the extremities. It sometimes proves very powerful in some cases of vaginism.
e) Ignatia
See above.
f) Lycopodium
See above.
g) Murex
Anxious, sensitive to cold and famished, Murex is aware of the existence of her uterus and gets easily excited. The slightest contact with her genital parts would make of her a nymphomaniac prone to vaginism. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered this remedy.
h) Natrum muriaticum
See above.
i) Plumbum
Spastic and constipated, Plumbum suffers from colites deforming her belly. She produces small burnt faeces and often gets paralysed with quick amyotrophia. Colites and hernias, incarcerated flatus and intestinal invaginations reflect the spastic side of this heavy metal. She tends to yawn and stretch her body. Her vulva and va-gina are extremely sensitive and also react with vaginism. Mammary glands are indurated.
j) Silicea
Silicea is demineralised. She looks as if she’s aged too soon. Other symptoms are also important with udder tumours, a tendency to suppurate with adenitis, particular faeces (as with springs in them), her constitution and stubborn shyness.
7.- Some important remedies during or preventing coition
a) Cactus
Cactus is a remedy I am not too familiar with, apart from cardiac cases (endocarditis with mitral insufficiency, palpitations, coronary angor…). What is most striking when reading the materia medica is the spastic and constrictive side of the remedy. Dysmenorrhea and vaginism (strong enough to prevent coition) are only sides of a general aspect. Other calling signs are cold oedema on the extremities as direct consequences of cardiac problems.
b) Platina
See above.
8. Some important remedies (painful spasms during coition)
a) Alumina
Dry and constipated, with small hard faeces, Alumina is a moody and nervous character for whom time is always too slow. She can only swallow small bites. The dryness of her mucous membranes is reflected in a permanent leucorrhea, viscous, transparent in threads.
b) Argentum nitricum
See above.
c) Cactus
See above.
d) Calcarea phosphorica
Here again, the remedy is detected elsewhere than in local symptoms, rarely ambiguous.
e) Lycopodium
See above.
f) Natrum muriaticum
See above.
g) Platina
See above.
h) Rhus toxicodendron
See above.
i) Sepia
See above.
9. Some important remedies (general infantilism)
a) Baryta carbonica
Retarded both physically and mentally, Baryta carbonica is not of a lot of interest in such cases. It hardly seems worthwhile to try and reproduce an individual so retarded. She will prove hard to improve at any rate. The diagnostic will have to be based on other symptoms and, if confirmed, the bitch is, and definitely will remain a problem case.
b) Calcarea phosphorica
See above.