An Alternative to Antibiotics… that Works!

About  three days ago my 7-year old wether sheep, Andy, had one eye closed and it looked puffy.  When I inspected it further I noticed that the flesh inside his eyelid was inflamed and red.  He was also tearing quite badly.  He was extremely uncomfortable, not eating, and just laying around with that one eye closed.

I searched, read, searched and read some more – even calling a local farmer who raises goats for advice.  I knew if it got worse I would end up calling my vet – but I have had such bad experiences with antibiotics with every animal I’ve treated – I avoid them unless it is a desperate situation.  I’ve lost animals due to antibiotics because their immune system never seems to kick back in as it should.  Even with Keifr or yoghurt to replenish the natural antibodies in their stomachs – it takes too much effort and worry to get them right again.

I found what I believe is a cure for pink-eye.  The uncertainty is due to the ailment, not the cure.  It looked like pink eye, but since it wasn’t diagnosed, I am not certain.  I know that there are a dozen eye ailments that can affect sheep, some viral, some bacterial – so it was a hit and miss because we all know there isn’t a darn thing we can do about a viral invasion – it just has to run its course.

The cure for this bacterial infection? Honey.  Yes, that precious, sweet, incredibly pure nectar that honeybees store for winter is definitely a miracle.  I keep it on hand for cuts, scrapes, and other sores as an anti-bacterial ointment, but I never thought it would work in the eyes.

It did.  And I learned that it works for human eyes as well – a story I read in the Daily Mail Online was astonishing.  A 62-year old man had been struggling with eye infections for years and had tried every solution known to man – and finally rid himself of this problem with honey. The story is heartwarming… titled “Man Cures Painful Eye Infection with 99p Jar of Honey”.  Worth a read for sure.

Although it isn’t a product that should be used in daily life – it does belong to the bees –  having a little on hand can be a lifesaver for any kind of injury where infection is a possibility.

Nothing on earth is as pure as honey – so pure that bacteria just cannot survive in its presence.  And I proved that with my sweet bud Andy.

Today, Andy is running around and eating and back to his normal frisky self.  Two doses were all it took.  I simply boiled about two cups of water to purify it, let it cool, and added a heaping teaspoon into the warm water.  After it cooled completely I put it into a sanitized squeeze bulb and applied a small amount directly into his eye.

Amazing.  I just saved myself at least $200 for medication, a home visit and further resistance to antibiotics.   I always look for the natural remedies first and luckily can usually eliminate a veterinary visit altogether.