HOLISTIC ANIMAL CARE AND INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS
Holistic medicine, otherwise referred to as complementary and
alternative medicine, is a new, integrated medical approach
to animal
health
and disease incorporating both new & ancient modalities. The techniques drawn upon are diverse, gentle,
minimally invasive
and incorporate patient well-being and stress reduction. The word '(w)holistic'
means
taking the whole picture of the patient - the environment, the
disease pattern,
the relationship of animal with human - and developing a treatment
protocol
using a wide range of therapies for healing the patient. Alternative
medicine is the best recognized term for a group of
treatments or therapeutic systems
that lie outside the mainstream of conventional medicine. Because
they have
been considered unconventional in the past, until recently they
have not
been taught in U.S. medical or veterinary schools. This is
beginning to
change. More recently, the terms complementary medicine and
integrative medicine
have become popular to indicate that they are used with or in
addition to
conventional therapies.
Holistic care brings wellbeing and balance to the whole body with techniques such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, homeopathy, herbal medicine, nutritional counseling, essential oils, color therapy, massage therapy, reiki, traditional Chinese medicine, energy healing and more. This page focuses primarily on holistic veterinary care. Please visit the alternative health & spiritual wellness page for more information, links and resources on additional holistic methods & modalities.
Practitioners of holistic veterinary medicine are graduates
of an
accredited veterinary college or university of veterinary medicine, and may
have various degrees of proficiency and training in one or more of
the above
modalities. The American
Veterinary
Holistic Medical Association (AHVMA) was organized in 1982
to help establish a network for veterinarians interested in
alternative
medicine. Newer organizations include the American
Veterinary Chiropractic Association
(AVCA), which holds certifying courses for veterinarians and
chiropractors,
and the Academy of
Veterinary Homeopathy, which holds certifying courses
in the principles of classical homeopathy for veterinarians.
Integrative or alternative therapy is an emerging field that encompasses practitioners or therapists who are trained in diverse aspects of energetic healing/medicine and use their unique blend of skills to assist people in finding their own healing. There is currently no licensing or regulatory board for integrative therapy.
For more comprehensive information, please see the useful resource links and references below. *Buy Local/Delaware Valley - PA, DE, NJ To submit a link for consideration click here.
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ARTICLES: Veterinary Care & Wellness (Scroll down for each article)
An Introduction to Holistic Pet Health
Cost Effective Home Remedies for Natural Pet Care
Natural, Safe & Cost Effective Flea Control
Homeopathy is More Than an Alternative Treatment for Pet Health
What to Look for in an Holistic Practitioner
An Introduction to Holistic Pet Health
By John Burns BVMS MRCVS
Much of modern thought is geared to seeing the individual as a series of separate systems that function independently of each other. We have specialists for skin, kidneys, nervous system, bones, heart and so on.
Food companies produce whole ranges of veterinary-only diets, each food designed to treat or prevent a specific health problem. Diets are developed containing supplements to promote healthy joints or immune systems, clean teeth, prevent hairball and so on.
At any time there are many thousands of biochemical and physiological reactions occurring in the body. These reactions are coordinated and controlled in ways which have evolved over millions of years and which we can barely begin to understand. Any effort to influence these reactions is crude and limited compared to the body's own capabilities.
The objective of Holistic Medicine is to follow a lifestyle that provides the conditions for the body to maintain a healthy, stable condition.
By far the most important element and the one over which we have most control is the daily diet.
"We don't know what causes the problem, we don't know how to cure it but we can use drugs to relieve it until we really understand how to deal properly with the problem." (John Burns BVMS MRCVS, I972)
"Shortly after qualifying as a veterinary surgeon I heard myself saying these words on numerous occasions to owners of dogs with skin problems. I was beginning to realize I was not as well prepared to deal with pet health problems as I would have liked. While drugs are useful for treating acute illnesses and relieving the signs and symptoms of chronic disease there are few if any chronic diseases which can be cured by drugs.
A few years later, having read some impressive reports about acupuncture I decided to become an acupuncturist. The two-year course on Traditional Oriental Medicine attempted to unite ancient principles of health to our Western way of life. During this time I came to realize that acupuncture suffered from the same important shortcoming as modern medicine - the illness itself was being treated but the treatment did not address the cause of the problem.
At the same time I became a student of the Macrobiotic movement which was in great vogue in Britain in the seventies but which has now disappeared from view (in the UK at least). Macrobiotics attempted to apply and adapt ancient, traditional philosophy in a way which was practical and appropriate to our modern lifestyle. "
Although much maligned at the time Macrobiotics seemed to me to complement my scientific training although in some respects it presented an opposing view. In particular Macrobiotics, like many other branches of complementary medicine taught that most illnesses originate in the main from improper lifestyle especially the daily diet.
By extension it follows from this that correct diet can be used to treat many illnesses or, more accurately, correct diet can allow the body to make the necessary adjustments in order to heal itself
By experimenting on my own diet I was able to verify the principle that physical health and mental well-being can be changed by diet. I decided to adapt and apply similar principles to the understanding and practice of Veterinary Medicine.
I advised my clients to avoid all commercial pet foods and to feed only home prepared diets based on brown rice, good quality meat (chicken, fish or lamb) and vegetables. The results were remarkable in that many chronic health problems could be cured by a simple diet. But most pet owners found the task of food preparation too impractical and could not keep it up long-term.
" I eventually came to realize that for the majority of pets, a Holistic diet can only be possible if a suitable prepared food is commercially available. That is why I came to develop my own complete foods for dogs and cats
This Guide to Natural Health Care is based on Holistic Principles together with many years practical experience in the treatment and prevention of disease in pets.
Principles of Natural Health Care
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1) <!--[endif]-->Good health is the normal state.
2) The body will tend towards a state of good health.
3) Healing will take place if it is possible.
4) Acute illness is a sign that the body is trying to heal itself
5) Chronic illness is the result of failure or suppression of the healing process.
This philosophy is positive and optimistic and believes that our health is in our own hands. This contrasts with the view of conventional medicine which expects problems to develop; that illnesses are random and indiscriminate; and that we have little control over our health. However, Natural Health Care does require us to accept the responsibility for health and wellbeing. The key to achieving good health is a simple one when these Principles are applied: if we can put in place the correct conditions the body will do the rest. Here the "correct conditions" mean correct lifestyle of which correct diet is the most important and also the one which is the easiest to control. This is the essence of Holistic Medicine.
What makes a correct diet?
Everyone would agree that a balanced diet is important. But what does "balanced" mean? The common view is that a diet is balanced if the food contains sufficient quantity of the various nutrients - proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and water to meet the needs of the body for maintenance, growth, reproduction and exercise. This definition fails to take account of several important factors: What if the food has excessive nutrients e.g. too much protein or fat? Is the body able to utilize the nutrients in the food: i.e. is the food easily digested? Does the food contain substances which are not nutrients e.g. chemical additives, impurities? Does the food suit the animal's system? Many dogs develop intolerance to certain foods. Is the body able to eliminate the waste matter effectively?
Our definition of a balanced diet is that what goes in equals what comes out! This means that over a period of time the body will maintain a good state of health and normal function and that all wastes will be efficiently eliminated.
In practice, many domestic pets do not have a balanced diet. In most instances, INTAKE EXCEEDS OUTPUT
Excess intake can result from
1) overfeeding
2) incorrect proportions of nutrients, for example too much protein or fat inclusion in the diet of non-nutrients e.g. colorings, chemicals
Decreased output can result from
1) insufficient exercise;
2) a warm environment reduces the amount of energy (heat) needed to maintain body temperature
3) the organs of elimination (kidneys, intestines, skin, liver and gall bladder) may become less efficient as they become clogged.
Development of Disease
When intake exceeds elimination this creates an excess in the body. This excess can lead to one or all of the following as the body attempts to maintain the balance between intake and output: Storage of excess leads to weight gain. This is more commonly seen in the less active pet. Elimination of excess gives rise to one or more of the following signs:
1. Decreased intake by loss of appetite or development of a fussy appetite.
2. Increased output as the body endeavors to eliminate the excess from the system.
3. Storage of excess in the system.
Short-lived or minor imbalance will be dealt with unnoticed but prolonged excess will lead to the following signs of disease.
· Increased physical activity i.e. hyperactive, excitable or overly boisterous behavior
· Persistent molting/shedding of hair
· Appearance of wax in the ears
· Scurfy, dry coat
· Itchy skin and ears
· Biting or licking the feet
· Occasional vomiting
· Occasional diarrhea
· Discharges from orifices - eyes, ears, genital system
· Overfull anal glands
· Concentrated, strong smelling urine
· Unpleasant body odors
· Bad breath
· Tooth tartar
· Excessive grooming ( cats )
These signs, which indicate discharge of excess, while unpleasant and uncomfortable are NOT symptoms of true illness. They are actually signs that the body is making adjustments in order to maintain health and that changes in lifestyle - especially diet - are needed.
If we should attempt to “cure” these problems, with medication for example, without dealing with the cause this would be like switching off the fire alarm without putting the fire out.
Development of disease – Stage 2
If imbalance between input and output persists over a period of time, the build-up of wastes (toxins) in the body will eventually begin to interfere with the proper function of the body systems. A vicious cycle of deterioration develops
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This may take weeks, months or years depending on the individual pet. At this stage one might encounter the following problems:
At this stage things have started to go wrong in the body. The problems tend to involve impaired biochemical and physiological functions rather than signs of degeneration and failure of the major organs.
· Acute inflammatory reactions e.g. pancreatitis, hepatitis
· Allergic reactions such as eczema, auto-immune disease
· Hormonal imbalance - false pregnancy, irregular estrus
· Stiffening muscles and joints (rheumatism, arthritis)
· Increased susceptibility to infection - because the body is providing a suitable environment for infectious agents to thrive
Development of disease – Stage 3
As the build-up of toxins continues, the major organ systems will start to show signs of degeneration and failure. At this stage, quality of life is likely to be impaired and the animal’s life may be at risk. One may encounter for example:
· Heart disease
· Kidney disease
· Diabetes
· Tumor formation
Although I have described the development of disease as taking place in three distinct phases, in practice all stages develop simultaneously. For example, when the body is eliminating toxic waste it is unlikely that all the waste can be expelled.
Some animals do not even show obvious signs of toxic discharge but may develop a major disease without any prior warning.
It is probable that some clogging of the major organs will occur at an early stage. Clogging of the organs of elimination themselves (kidneys, lungs, liver, intestine) will further hinder the removal of wastes from the system, thus accelerating the deterioration.
AUHOR BIOGRAPHY: Burns Pet Nutrition are based in Kidwelly, an ancient town on the southern coast of Carmarthenshire, South Wales in the UK. www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk | email: info@burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk
Cost Effective Home Remedies for Natural Pet Care
By Jennifer Forsyth, VMD
Many of us would like to practice natural preventative pet care at home but may not have enough information. It’s easier than you think to manage common problems using items from your cupboard, medicine cabinet or a quick trip to the health food store.
Following are a few simple tips and home remedies that could save you costly trips to the vet.
Ear Care:
Almond Oil - One of the most gentle things to clean the ears with is almond oil. Almond oil can sooth irritated dry skin and is great for waxy ears. Squeeze a small amount into the ear canal and massage to break up any waxy debris. Remove the excess oil with a cotton ball.
Apple Cider Vinegar - This is great to use if the ears are waxy and are starting to have a yeasty odor. The yeast doesn’t like an acidic environment so cleaning the ears with vinegar makes it difficult for the yeast to survive. Dilute the vinegar by 50% with spring water. Squeeze a liberal amount into the ear canal, massage, and wipe out the excess. This can be done daily for up to a week for problematic ears.
Teeth:
Dental disease affects 50 to 85 percent of dogs and cats and a professional cleaning can be costly. By brushing your pet’s teeth daily you can prevent the need for a dental cleaning. To make your own toothpaste combine equal parts of baking soda and powdered clay plus add some powdered peppermint leaf or chamomile blossoms as a deodorizer. Use a soft bristle toothbrush or gauze to brush the teeth daily.
Vomiting:
The first thing to do is fast for 24 hours. Water should always be available. After fasting a slippery elm slurry can do the trick to get the things back on track. Boil one cup of water, turn off the heat, add 1 heaping tablespoon of slippery elm powder and mix until think. For dogs a tablespoon of honey can be added. Small dogs and cats get 1 Tablespoon, medium dogs 2 Tablespoons, and large dogs get 3 Tablespoons three times per day. If they tolerate the slippery elm feed them a bland diet consisting of 25% boiled chicken or hamburger with 75% white rice. Feed this for 2-3 days and then gradually switch back to the regular diet.
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Diarrhea:
Do the slippery elm and bland diet as mentioned for vomiting. Also add 1 to 3 Tablespoons (based on the size recommendations as mentioned for slippery elm) of canned pumpkin or mashed sweet potato and plain nonfat yogurt to the meals.
Skin Problems:
Green Tea - Green tea is a nice antiseptic that can help with minor skin irritation or itchy feet. Brew double strength green tea (2 bags to a cup). Put the solution in a spray bottle to use for foot or skin cleansing cleansing.
Aloe Vera - Aloe is very soothing and rubbing a small amount onto any red itchy skin will help to reduce the redness and inflammation.
Using home remedies can help cut down costs for common ailments, but should a problem persist, please consult your vet.
About the Author: Jennifer Forsyth, VMD practices classical homeopathy, nutritional counseling, and other herbal/natural alternatives at Bethel Mill Animal Hospital www.bethelmillanimalhospital.com
Natural, Safe and Cost-Effective Flea Control
By Barry Silverstein
If you own a dog or cat, it is almost certain at one time or another that you will have to deal with fleas.
And that’s where the trouble begins – not just with the fleas themselves, but with the vast array of commercial flea control products available. Ironically, the majority of these products, even the most popular ones, contain unsafe, harmful ingredients. Often these ingredients are toxic to the very animals they are supposed to protect – and can even do harm to you and your family. The National Resource Defense Council’s website for pet owners, www.greenpaws.org, offers a comprehensive list of commercial flea and tick products, their ingredients, and whether they are safe. You’ll be surprised to learn that most of them contain harmful chemicals.
The most popular treatments require expensive monthly applications during flea season, for the life of your pet. Frontline Plus, for example, can cost from $10 – 15 for each application. This means flea control can become costly, very quickly.
What’s the alternative? Natural Flea Control!
Natural flea control uses natural techniques and substances in the fight against fleas. In most cases, you will find that natural substances are commonly available and, as a result, are much cheaper than commercial products. Natural substances are often far less toxic as well. It’s important to point out, however, that “natural” doesn’t always mean safe.
Here is an example.
Natural substances effective for flea control include “essential oils,” which are botanical compounds in highly concentrated form. One of these essential oils, pennyroyal, has been proven effective in flea control – but pennyroyal is toxic when applied to the skin of a dog or cat. In fact, it can be deadly if ingested. Since animals commonly lick themselves when they have fleas, they could lick the pennyroyal with dire consequences. That’s why you need to carefully evaluate any natural flea control substances before you use them on your pet.
A good way to think about natural flea control is in three phases: outside your home, inside your home, and on your pet.
Outside Your Home
Outside your home, fleas frequent warm, moist areas, and they’re sure to find your dog if he’s laying in the grass. One safe natural flea repellent to consider outside is cedar. Cedar wood chips, commonly available at garden stores, can be spread around the base of your home to potentially discourage fleas from entering. Cedar is also often used as a material in dog beds. Cedar oil is available for application to exterior and interior areas, and also for use directly on pets. Spray cedar oil around the outside foundation and entry points into your home.
Inside Your Home
To keep your home flea-free, you’ll need to be vigilant about dusting and vacuuming. Also, it is important to regularly wash all pet bedding in hot soapy water. Fleas need humidity of at least 70 percent and temperatures of at least 70 degrees to breed, so keeping your home cool and dry will help reduce the flea population.
If you find you have fleas, you might try one of these natural treatments:
Diaotomaceous Earth is a natural substance that has a consistency similar to talcum powder and is available at most garden suppliers. This remarkable substance actually dries out the waxy outer layer of fleas so they dehydrate and eventually die. Spread it around windows, doorways, and baseboards and rub it into the carpet. If you use this method, always use gloves, a dust mask, and goggles, and leave the house for several hours after use. It is not safe to inhale this substance when any particles are floating in the air. Fish, birds, and animals should not be left in the house. When you return, vacuum thoroughly.
Obtain some highly refined salt (as finely ground as possible) and sprinkle it lightly but evenly over your carpet. Brush or rake it in. Leave this in your carpet for a day or two, then vacuum thoroughly. Be sure to check with the carpet manufacturer to find out if this is a safe treatment. As long as the salt does not affect the carpet, this treatment is safer than diatomaceous earth.
On Your Pet Controlling fleas on your pet starts with diet. Adding brewer’s yeast can often be an effective flea preventative. Adding about five teaspoons of organic white vinegar to your pet’s drinking water is another effective method. While garlic is known to fight fleas as well, use it with caution; in large quantities, it can destroy blood cells.
A number of herbal oils, sometimes called essential oils, are effective as flea repellents. Oils that are found to be generally effective include clove, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, and rosemary. Because essential oils are concentrated, they should be used sparingly and with caution.
Essential oils can occasionally cause allergic reactions. Cats are especially sensitive to some essential oils.
Citrus oils are just as effective and generally less toxic than herbal oils. A natural substance called d-Limonene is an oil extracted from citrus rind. It is used in veterinary-grade flea shampoos on both dogs and cats, but it can irritate the eyes and should not be swallowed. A less toxic and much cheaper version of citrus oil is “lemon tea.” You can make this by putting the slices of a whole lemon, including the rind, in some boiling water, cooling it, and applying it to your pet as often as daily.
A natural remedy for flea bites, which soothes and heals the flea bites themselves and helps prevent fleas from returning, is neem oil. When diluted with water and mixed with vinegar, neem oil can be applied directly to an animal’s skin.
Fighting fleas the natural way requires some experimentation with the right formula, and some patience in finding the right methods and substances for your own particular situation. But once you find a method that works, you’ll be happy knowing that it’s natural, safer and a lot less costly than using commercial products.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Barry Silverstein is a professional writer and author of the recently published eBook, FLEA CONTROL: How to Get Rid of Fleas Naturally, available at www.fleacontrolbook.com.
"Homeopathy is More than an Alternative Treatment For Pet Health"
by Richard Sandore
Dr. Samuel Hahnemann established the Science of Homeopathy in Germany over
200 years ago, and along with many other alternative and complimentary medical practices it is becoming increasingly common in veterinary care. Homeopathy offers safe and effective treatments for common and rare illnesses without any of the sometimes life-threatening side effects of conventional medications. Its uses include first aid, and acute and chronic conditions that span the complete spectrum of physical, mental, and emotional diseases.
History of Homeopathy
Through his study of sickness and healing, Dr Hahnemann theorized a vital force that promotes the correction of imbalances that cause disease. He also desired to render the medicines of his day such as arsenic and mercury less toxic. Investigating dilutions of the medicines, he discovered that very, very minute quantities of normally toxic substances could stimulate the body's own healing mechanism and vital force.
Principles
Homeopathy evolved since Hahnemann's time, and through observation and experiment certain guiding principles have been discovered.
Like Cures Like
Also called the Law of Similars, this is the cornerstone of Homeopathy. It states that minuscule doses of a substance that in large doses can cause an illness will treat disease by stimulating the bodies own healing mechanisms.
In general, the same symptoms that a substance will cause in a large dose are those treated by an incredibly small dose. For example, coffee taken in a large dose before bedtime can cause insomnia, however, a homeopathic dose can induce sleep. Arsenic is an extremely toxic chemical, yet, taken homeopathically will treat food poisoning.
The Law of Potentization
This principle is sometimes hard to accept for those of us brought up with the notion more is always better. The Law of Potentization states the higher the dilution of a remedy, the more potent the remedy. A Silica 100x remedy, though more dilute (and therefore containing less silica), is more potent than a remedy of a lower dilution, for example Silica 30x.
Hering's Law of Cure
Dr. Connstantine Hering is considered the Father of American Homeopathy. He realized, as we now understand, the body is interconnected mentally, emotionally, and physically. He made three observations, now known as Hering's Law of Cure.
The body seeks to externalize disease, and symptoms are the external manifestation of underlying imbalance. For example, an allergy may be a physical manifestation of an underlying emotional disorder. Treating the symptoms of the allergy does not treat the cause of the allergy. Not addressing the underlying disorder will frequently cause the body to produce even more symptoms.
The healing process begins at the top of the body and progresses downward, and from the most important organs to the least important. The healing of the cause of a rash will cause the rash to begin clearing at the top of the body first. If the treatment is not addressing the underlying cause, the disappearance of the rash will take a different course. For example, a steroid cream applied to the whole body will cause the rash to leave over the whole body at the same time. This is not treating the cause of the rash.
Healing progresses in the reverse chronological order than the symptoms appeared. This means the patient may experience symptoms which they thought were gone as part of their healing. This can lead to a Healing Crisis.
What Are Homepathic Remedies?
Remedies are the medicines of Homeopathy. They are substances diluted greatly, sometimes until none of the original substance remains in the remedy. Plants, the elements of nature, chemicals, animal secretions, or even drugs like penicillin are used to make remedies.
How does Homeopathy work?
The body naturally desires to be in a state of balance and harmony, and symptoms are an indication of a deep imbalance or disease. Homeopathic remedies gently stimulate and activate the body's own healing mechanisms, which then act to correct the underlying imbalance causing the symptoms.
(This is unlike much of conventional medicine, which suppresses the symptoms of a disease, but does not treat the cause.) Think of homeopathic remedies as a jump-start to the body's healing engine.
What do the labels mean?
It's easier to understand a remedy label than you think. The remedy name is the Latin word for the component. For example, Argentum Mitricum is silver nitrate, used to treat certain types of anxiety, among other conditions. Hypericum is the well-known herb, St. John's Wort. The number after the name is the dilution, though some explanation is in order.
Hahnemann diluted remedies by taking 99 parts of a mixture of water and alcohol and adding 1 part of the original substance, then shaking the mixture 100 times. (The alcohol is used to preserve the substance and is usually about 20% of the water/alcohol mixture.) The shaking is called dynamizing or succussing, and energizes the solution. This first dilution, or potency, is given the symbol 1C. Taking 1 part of a 1C dilution and mixing with 99 parts of water/alcohol, then shaking, gives a 2C potency. A remedy with a potency of 30C, Hypericum 30C for example, has had the process performed 30 times.
As the field evolved some German and American doctors began using dilutions of 1 part substance to 9 parts water/alcohol. The dynamizing remained the same. These remedies are referred to as decimal potencies and the symbol is "x" in the US, and "D" in Europe. One might see Argentum Mitricum 10x, or
Argentum Mitricum D10. (Another method of dilution, seldom used in the US, was developed by a Russian, Dr Korsakov, and uses the symbol K.)
Once a final dilution is arrived at, the remedy is administered as a liquid, or absorbed onto small inert pellets that can be dissolved in the mouth.
Is there anything left? How good is a homeopathic remedy that is highly diluted?
The rational person will certainly wonder how this stuff works because by the time you get to a 12C or 24x dilution none of the original substance is left? Moreover, how does potency increase as the dilution increases? Though science has not shown exactly how everything works, it has proven that homeopathic remedies store electromagnetic energy from the original substance, and numerous studies have shown remedies effective in treating every disease imaginable.
Most experts believe since information is stored electromagnetically, not physically in the remedy, it makes perfect sense to work with dilutions where none of the original substance remains. In addition, choosing the correct remedy for a particular animal and condition is considered more important than the dilution used.
Benefits and Effectiveness of Homeopathic Remedies
Countless treatments have proven Homeopathy's incredible safety and effectiveness. Other advantages include:
- No side effects (unlike most conventional medicines)
- Will not mask symptoms (if the symptoms resolve, you know you have the correct remedy and have treated the disease, if not, then you know you need a different remedy)
- Oral administration
- Strengthening the immune system
- Inexpensive compared to traditional medicines
- Treatment: Using Homeopathic Remedies
Remedies come as liquids or very small pellets. You may administer them as frequently as every 15 minutes in an emergency situation, or once a day for a chronic condition. Remedies should not be given with food, and administered at least 30 minutes before or after a meal.
You should not touch the pellets. Shake the needed number into the bottle cap, and then place them in your pet's mouth. Remedies should not be swallowed or chewed, but allowed to dissolve in the mouth (which only takes a moment). Your pet will usually allow you to place the pellets between their gum and cheek, or under their tongue. If your companion is difficult and resists the pellets, dissolve them in a tiny amount of water and administer with a dropper. Liquid remedies may be dropped on, under the tongue, or inside the cheek with a dropper (usually included with the remedy).
Classical and Combination Homeopathic Remedies
There are over 1500 known remedies traditionally given as individual treatments after a through evaluation of the patient. For instance, a dog with a high-strung disposition may need a particular remedy for itchy skin and a dog with a more laid-back personality may require a different remedy.
A classical Homeopath, because of their extensive knowledge of remedies and training will, after a complete evaluation, select the one or two most appropriate remedies for your animal.
As Homeopathy grew, combination remedies were developed. A combination remedy for diarrhea contains the three or four remedies for the most common causes of diarrhea. The idea is the appropriate remedy will assist in healing the diarrhea, while the others will not have any effect, and not cause any harm.
Treating on your own
Educating yourself about Homeopathy and remedies and using your knowledge for treating mild to moderate, self-limiting diseases can be safe and effective. It is wise to seek the advice of a professional for severe or chronic conditions.
What a holistic veterinarian will do
Your visit to a holistic vet will involve a great deal more than asking what is wrong with your pet, and an exam. The vet will need to have a complete picture of your pet's life, and yours. They will want to know about your pet's environment, changes in lifestyle, diet, when symptoms occur, what seems to cause them, what associations to other events there are. You get the picture. A holistic approach tailors the treatment to the unique and individual life you and your pet.
Healing crisis
It is not unusual for symptoms to worsen once a remedy is begun. In allopathic medicine this may be a sign the treatment is not working, but in Homeopathy it is a sign the correct remedy was chosen and the condition is being healed. This phenomenon occurs because the remedy gives the body the power to react against the illness and begin the healing process. Higher potencies, because they are stronger, may be more likely to precipitate a healing crisis. If you are treating your pet yourself, it is wise to begin with lower potencies. (A 30C dilution is a good starting point.)
Treating the cause of disease
Homeopathic remedies jump-start the bodies healing mechanisms and assist it in returning to a state of balance, however, the lifestyle, nutritional, mental, emotional, and environmental factors that contributed to the illness in the first place must be addressed to prevent the illness from returning. The body wants to be healthy, but needs the proper support to be at its peak.
Chronic disease
As the study of Homeopathy grew it became apparent chronic conditions are the result of many underlying imbalances and the notion of a single remedy for a unique condition did not always apply. Today, you will find chronic diseases treated with combination remedies that detoxify and treat the underlying imbalances.
Sample remedies
While an exhaustive list of remedies is beyond the scope of this article, a few samples will show you the power of Homeopathy for treating many diverse conditions.
Arnica is a flowering herb and an important remedy. It is used to treat muscle soreness and bruises, and should be the first remedy given for any type of injury.
Chamomilla is an herb well known for its calming effect. It may be used before an anxiety-provoking event like a vet visit or long car trip.
Silicea is a mineral used to treat problems resulting from poor nutrition, after effects of a vaccination, and many chronic diseases.
Apis is used to reduce swelling from allergic reactions, including severe anaphylactic, and joint swelling and pain.
Hypericum is used for excessive pain from injuries and toothaches.
Colchicum is a plant frequently used for joint stiffness.
Arsenicum Album, Nux Vomica, and Phosphorus are all used to treat various types of diarrhea.
In the end we all want the best for our companion animals and homeopathy offers effective and safe treatments that along with proper nutrition, exercise, and emotional support will keep the loves of our lives strong and healthy into their senior years.
This article was produced and co-edited by Well Beings - Senior Cat and Dog Products. Well Beings focuses on the special needs of senior cats and dogs. Their offerings include premium selection of health supplements, natural treats, organic food, plush toys, accessories and other pet supplies. Formore articles, please visit Well Beings online: http://www.wellbeings.com
About the Author: Richard Sandore is a medical writer who has practiced allopathic and alternative medicine.
What to Look for in a Holistic Practitioner
ho·lis·tic adj.
1. Of or relating to holism.
2. relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts Holistic medicine attempts to treat both the mind and the body.
When looking for a holistic veterinarian, bear in mind that "holistic" is largely an approach to treatment, which may encompass conventional, as well as alternative modalities, and holistic practitioners may use many modalities in the treatment of your pet.
Many people confuse "holistic" with "homeopathic;" however, homeopathy is a specific modality and a very specific mode of treatment. While many holistic practitioners may utilize homeopathy as one of several modalities, many homeopaths will not use any treatment but homeopathy. This is also true of many other alternative methods of treatment. Many practitioners who use acupuncture do not really consider themselves to be holistic practitioners, because acupuncture is the only alternative modality they use.
When you are searching for a holistic practitioner, you must consider what you really want. Are you focused on homeopathy? Do you really want a dedicated and experienced homeopathic veterinarian to treat your animal?
Or are you really looking for one who will take a true holistic approach to treatment?
There is no certifying organization for "holistic" veterinarians, i.e., those who use a number of alternative therapies and take a general holistic approach to treatment. But there are several organizations that do offer certification in different alternative modalities, such as acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, and botanical medicine. Please keep these differences in mind when you are searching for a holistic practitioner.
How do you find a holistic veterinarian? There are a number of directories on the Web, which list holistic practitioners and those interested or certified in specific modalities.
American Holistic Veterinary Association, (AVHMA) Vet List:
http://www.holisticvetlist.com/index.php
