Herbs & Medicine

Burrowing Lizard Spines: Long, needle-like spines that are harvested off the backs of slain Burrowing Lizards. They are non-toxic, even in high doses, but the more times a cat has been pricked, the longer and harder the effects of the muscle relaxant get, resulting in immobility.

• Usage: These spines are filled with a potent topical anesthetic and muscle relaxant, and are used to relieve severe, chronic pain and to provide relief from tight or tense muscles. Additionally used to suture severe lacerations in junction with Fairwing silk as a last-ditch effort if cauterization or wound packing fails.

Stomach ache (Healing time: 1-2 days)

• Symptoms: Complaints of sore stomach, might be slightly hunched, soft moans.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Watermint

2. Juniper berry

3. Chevril

4. Mallow leaves

5. Parsley

• Have the guardian use the dirtplace.

• Rest, no guardian duties are permitted until they feel better.

Stomach virus (Healing time: 7-24 days)

• Symptoms: Bellyache, glassy eyes, fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Watermint, juniper berries, willow leaves

2. Watermint, juniper berries, mallow leaves

3. Watermint, juniper berries

4. Watermint

• Rest, no guardian duties are permitted until they feel better.

• Highly contagious! Quarantine in the Healer's Den.

• Continue herb regimen until better.

Common cold (Healing time: 3-4 days)

• Symptoms: Coughing, runny nose, slight fever, fatigue.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Tansy, coltsfoot, feverfew

2. Tansy, juniper, feverfew

3. Coltsfoot, juniper berries

• Rest. Light guardian duties are permitted.

• Monitor symptoms. A cold can turn into whitecough during bad weather!

Cough (Healing time: 1-4 days)

• Symptoms: Coughing.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Tansy

2. Coltsfoot

3. Honey (if throat is sore)

• Continue duties as normal. Monitor for any additional symptoms.

Fever (Healing time: 1-3 days)

• Symptoms: Hot nose/paw pads, complaining of being cold, glassy eyes.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Feverfew

2. Lavender

• Rest. No guardian duties until better.

• Check for any signs of infection.

Greencough (Healing time: 7-28 days)

• Symptoms: irregular breathing, runny eyes and nose, fever, tiredness, wet cough, wheezing, loss of appetite, weakness, sore throat, in severe cases a semi-comatic state.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Catmint

2. Hawkweed, tansy

3. Hawkweed

4. Tansy

5. Feverfew

• Rest. No guardian duties at all.

• Ensure the patient is drinking water.

• Constant monitoring.

• Offer dirtplace aid.

• Watch for signs of extreme weakness.

• For some cats you may have to force eating.

Grief (Healing time varies)

• Symptoms: Lethargy, no appetite, visibly sad/upset.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Poppy seed

2. Chamomile

3. Thyme

4. Lavender

• Monitor patient. High levels of stress can make cats more susceptible to illness.

• Give them time.

• Depends on the cat, some never get over grief.

Infections (Healing time: 3-12 days, 7-20 for extreme infections) 

• Symptoms: Sour smell, wooziness, puss, swelling, redness, fever, in severe cases vomiting and lack of consciousness can occur.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Horsetail, goldenrod, marigold

2. Horsetail, marigold

3. Horsetail, stinging nettle

4. Marigold, stinging nettle

• If severe include fever-fighting and strengthening herbs.

• Keep dry.

• Check infection frequently.

• Replace poultices on the daily.

Kitcough (Healing time: 3-15 days)

• Symptoms Coughing, runny nose, complains of itchy lungs, possible wheezing and fever.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Coltsfoot

2. Tansy

3. Small amounts of honey can be given.

• Keep kit separated from others.
  
  

Vomiting (Healing time: 1 day)

• Symptoms: Vomiting, stomach pain, drooling.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Willow leaves

• Feed cat willow leaves.

• Provide water.

• Check for infection/other illnesses.

• No warrior duties for a day.

Whitecough (Healing time: 6-18 days)

• Symptoms: Cough, runny eyes and nose, sore throat, slightly lethargic, possibly low fever.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Tansy

2. Coltsfoot

3. Feverfew (if fever is present)

4. Honey can be given

• Keep cat seperated from others.

• Keep cat warm and dry.

• Watch carefully for signs of greencough.

• No guardian duties until better.
  
  

Yellowcough (Healing time: 6-18 days. If not treated fast enough, 19+ days with the possibility of death.)

• Symptoms Fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, lack of appetite.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Lungwort

• Keep water nearby.

• Keep cat separated.

• Watch closely.

Broken bones (Healing time: 1-2 moons)

• Symptoms: Unable to put weight on injured area, extreme pain, shock, sometimes unconsciousness, bone may be sticking out, limb may be in a twisted angle, if bad enough bleeding is possible.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

  1. Comfrey, stinging nettle, dock, poppyseeds.

  2. Comfrey, poppyseeds

• Have a cat gather sticks and cobwebs.

• Create the poultice and rub it onto the broken area.

• Brace with sticks and wrap in cobwebs.

• Keep the cat calm and still.

Burns (Healing time: 5-10 days)

• Symptoms: Bright red in afflicted areas, swelling, extreme pain, unconsciousness, shock is possible.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Comfrey, dock

2. Comfrey

3. Dock

• Clean cats fur.

• Aply poultice.

• Let cat rest.

• No guardian duties until the burn is not painful to the touch.

Deep wounds (Healing time: 2 weeks-1 moon)

• Symptoms: Extreme pain, heavy bleeding, panting, often unconsciousness, shock.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Marigold, horsetail, dock, goldenrod, thyme

2. Marigold, goldenrod, thyme

3. Marigold, horsetail, thyme

4. Marigold, thyme

5. Horsetail, thyme

• Stop bleeding before moving! (use cobwebs)

• Keep warm and still in a fresh nest.

• Apply poultice once bleeding has stopped.

• If bleeding does not stop, begin to stitch the wound close or cauterize. 

• Check for infection regularly.

Dislocation (Healing time: 3-4 days)

• Symptoms:  Ligament is out of place, pain, swelling, cat may whimper/moan (tails can be dislocated).

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Poppy seeds

• Give patient poppy seeds.

• Have patient bite on stick.

• Hug the dislocated joint and move it until you hear a pop.

• Give another poppy seed.

• Have the patient rest 1-2 days.

Concussion (Healing time: 1 moon)

• Symptoms: Confusion, headache, dizziness, memory loss, slurred speech, dazed, tiredness, double vision, light sensitivity. Nausea, vomiting, and unconsciousness are possible.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Thyme

2. Chamomile

3. Lavender

4. Poppy seed (only for extreme pain)

• Offer aid with eating, drinking, etc.

• Keep patient in darker parts of the den.

• No guardian duties at all.

Cuts in eye (Healing time: 3-7 days)

• Symptoms: Complaining of eye pain, eye swelling, blurred vision, in severe cases bleeding and shock are possible.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Celandine juice

• Clean cut with water (dip moss in clean water and dab on eye).

• Trickle celandine juice into eye.

• If eye pain is severe enough provide poppy seeds.

• No guardian duties until mostly healed.

Scratches (Healing time: 4-9 days)

• Symptoms: Slight-moderate pain, bleeding, cat may be limping.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Marigold, dock

2. Horsetail, dock

3. Marigold

4. Horsetail

5. Goldenrod

• Lick wound clean.

• Apply one of the poultices/chewed herbs into wound.

• Keep poultices stable with cobwebs (for fidgety cats).

• Have cat rest for a few days, then light guardian duties until healed.

Sprains (Healing time: 9-24 days)

• Symptoms: Pain, heavy limping, cat may whimper or moan, shock is possible, panting sometimes occurs.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Poppy seeds

2. Poppy seeds, comfrey

• For bad sprains create a brace (stick against ligament, wrapped in cobwebs).

• No guardian duties until healed.

Wrenched muscle (Healing time: 1 week-1 moon)

• Symptoms: Much pain, swelling, panting, yowling, screeching, shaking, and shock can occur.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Poppyseeds, thyme

2. Poppyseeds

3. Thyme, chamomile

• No guardian duties until healed.

Insect Stings (Healing time: 4-6 days)

• Symptoms: Verbal confirmation, pain, swelling, redness

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Blackberry leaves, juniper berries

2. Dandelion, juniper berries

3. Raspberry leaves, juniper berries

4. Marigold, juniper berries

5. Marigold

• Remove stinger

• Apply poultice

• Feed juniper berries (this is for breathing)

• If young/complaining an excessive amount, poppy seeds can be given at night

• Guardian duties can continue as usual.
  
  
  

• Aching Joints and/or Stiffness (Healing time varies) 

• Symptoms: Stiff when walking, grunts when moving, panting, reluctance to move.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

• Ragwort leaves, juniper berries

• Comfrey, dock, ragwort

• Ragwort

• A visit to the Soul Spring can reduce pain.

• Physical therapy to help can help with chronic pain.

• Guardian duties can continue as usual depending on pain levels.
  
  
  

• Nettle Stings (Healing time: 2-5 days)

• Symptoms: Cat will probably report walking/falling into nettles, pain, small cuts on body.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

• Dock, dandelion, poppyseeds

• Dock

• No guardian duties for one day.
  
  
  

• Non-venomous Snakebites (Healing time: 2-6 days)

• Symptoms: sore/stinging pain, two small holes in skin, claiming to of been bitten by a snake.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

• Yarrow

• Poppyseed can be used for pain if requested.

• Guardian can rest for 1-2 days if they wish.
  
  
  

• Rat Bites (Healing time: 3-14 days depending on severity)

• Symptoms: Small bite mark, pain, swelling, redness, infection leading to puss is possible.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

• Garlic (have the cat roll in it, preventative)

• Burdock root

• If the wound is not severe, a guardian can continue with their duties.
  
  
  

• Scraped paw pads (Healing time: 2-4 days)

• Symptoms: Bleeding, limping, paw pain.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

• Dock

• Soak afflicted cats paw in cold water.

• Have them rub paw pads on dock leaves.

• Avoid guardian duties for 1-2 days.
  
  
  

• Smoke inhalation (Healing time: 2-14 days depending on exposure)

• Symptoms: Scratchy voice, coughing, wheezing/raspy breaths, sore throat.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

• Juniper, honey

• Coltsfoot, honey

• Drink a lot of water.

• Guardian must rest for two days or more if severe.
  
  
  

• Shock (Healing time: Hours-1 day) 

• Symptoms: Glazed eyes, dull expression, silent, slight vocalization, in severe cases unconsciousness.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

• Poppyseed, thyme, chamomile

• Thyme, poppyseed

• Poppyseed

• Thyme

• Lick fur in the opposite direction

• May have to force-feed herbs
  
  
  

• Sore throat  (Healing time: Hours-1 day)

• Symptoms: Slightly painful throat, voice might be scratchy, reluctance to swallow/eat/talk

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

• Honey

• If symptoms persist, check for potential sickness
  
  
  

Toothache (Healing time: 1-2 days)

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Alder bark

2. Poppyseed depending on pain severity

• If pain persists for over 5 days, tooth removal may be necessary. 

Food poisoning (Healing time: 1 day)

• Symptoms: Extreme belly pain, curled position, hunched when walking, moaning/whimpering, reports of eating potentially bad prey.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Yarrow

• Take the cat to the dirtplace

• Feed yarrow, wait for vomit

• Give cat water, then send them back to their den to rest

• No guardian duties for one day.

Fin rot (Healing time: Indefinite, may be chronic)

• Symptoms: Red, irritated fins that tear easily, burning pain.

• Suggested herbs: (in order of most recommended for use)

1. Marigold

2. Horsetail

3. Chevril

• Chew herbs into a paste

• Apply herbs onto rotted areas

• If pain is extreme, poppyseeds can be given.

CONTENT WARNING: DESCRIPTION OF EXTREME MEDICAL  PROCEDURES

Eye Removal (Healing time: 2 moons)

• Symptoms that removal is needed: severe eye infection (turning internal), heavy bleeding, total blindness, eye hanging out of the socket, extreme pain following eye healing.

Procedure:

• Give cat enough poppy seeds to fall asleep for at least 2 hours (unless in comatic state)

• Once asleep, prop the head up

• Use smoothened sticks to pull eye out

• Cut off with sharp stone

• Firmly stanch bleeding using moss

• Once bleeding stops, apply infection prevention poultice in/around eye and cover with cobwebs

• Once the cat wakes up, provide painkilling and shock prevention herbs.

Leg removal (Healing time: up to 6 moons) 

• Symptoms that removal is needed: Complete inability to use leg at all, extreme pain, for infection cases, extreme infection turning internal.

Procedure:

• Give cat enough poppy seeds to fall asleep for at least 3 hours

• Prop leg above cats head

• Wrap a vine/tendril about a paws length above where you're removing

• Use a sharp rock to cut through the skin

• Break the opened section using heavy rock

• Using embolin scales, cauterize wound

• Cover wound in infection prevention poultice and wrap it in cobwebs

• Provide painkilling and shock prevention herbs

Longterm physical therapy practices will be needed to allow guardian to adjust.

Tail removal (Healing time: Up to 2 moons)

• Symptoms that removal is needed: Extremely damaged tail, heavy bleeding, extreme pain

Procedure:

• Give enough poppy seeds to sleep for about an hour

• Wrap vine/tendril half a paws length above where tail is getting cut off

• Use sharp stone to cut tail

• Cauterize wound using embolin scales

• Cover the  wound in infection prevention poultice and wrap in cobwebs

Tooth extraction (Healing time: 3 days)

• Symptoms that removal is needed: Mouth infection after unrelenting toothache

Procedure:

• Give enough poppy seeds to numb pain and cause slight drowsiness

• Prop cats mouth open with a stick

• Use sharpened stick to cut cats gum

• Use water-cleaned paw (small paw preferably) to remove tooth

• Have cat lap up then spit out water (cleaning purposes)

• Stick moss in cats mouth over the wound

• Let cat rest. Follow-up to ensure infection has cleared up.

Licking

• Licking a wound will clean it

• Brings down shock

• Licking fur the wrong way warms and dries a cold and/or wet cat
  
  

Wailing/yowling

• Helpful for nest ridden cats, if their throat isn't sore this helps keep their lungs clear
  
  

Water soaking

• Hold a swelling wound in cold water to reduce swelling

• Soothes scraped paw pads (cold water)
  
  

Water therapy

• Helps strengthen a cat who cannot walk on land

• Have/help cat walk through shoulder deep water

• Have cat "run" through ankle deep water, increasing in depth until strong enough to walk on their own