Treatment FAQ

what if a vet wants to use holistic treatment

by Prof. Gabe Haley MD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF HOLISTIC VETERINARY TREATMENTS?

  • Holistic vets can successfully employ homo-toxicology in the case of certain skin conditions -- the expulsion of various...
  • Holistic methodologies can be employed alongside traditional cancer treatments to help a pet achieve some comfort, and...
  • Chinese herbs are often used with success to resolve issues of...

Full Answer

Why choose a holistic veterinarian?

The wholeness inherent in the scope of holistic veterinary medicine nurtures all aspects of an animal’s well-being, resulting in lasting physical, mental, and emotional health. Find a holistic veterinarian in your area to learn more.

What are the different types of holistic veterinary treatments?

The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) mentions low-level laser therapy, aromatherapy, and numerous other types of treatments. One thing to keep in mind is that services may vary from one veterinarian to another.

What is holistic medicine for dogs?

This dog enjoys its massage. Holistic medicine, by its very nature, is humane to the core. The techniques used in holistic medicine are gentle, minimally invasive, and incorporate patient well-being and stress reduction.

Is there a lot of emphasis on preventative care in veterinary medicine?

There’s a lot of emphasis on incorporating preventive measures, which can be useful for managing chronic conditions. Bear in mind that any veterinarian needs to have graduated from vet school and obtained licensure to practice, regardless of their treatment philosophy. How does holistic veterinary care differ from traditional veterinary care?

image

Does holistic vet medicine work?

"While the 'find it and kill it' Western medical approach may work for infectious diseases, holistic medicine uses preventative measures by treating the whole body. Holistic veterinary care is much more effective when treating chronic illnesses like heart disease.

What treatments are included in holistic veterinary medicine?

Holistic Veterinary TherapiesModern Drugs, Surgery, and Diagnostics. Holistic veterinarians often seek to blend standard therapies, such as drugs and surgery, with holistic methods. ... Acupuncture. ... Aromatherapy. ... Chiropractic. ... Flower Essences. ... Herbal Medicine. ... Homeopathy. ... Low Level Laser Therapy.More items...

Does holistic medicine work for dogs?

For a truly holistic approach, you may find that some combination of conventional medicine and various holistic modalities work best for your dog. For example, a combination of herbs and a change in diet may relieve digestive upset. A combination of massage and acupuncture may best relieve your dog's joint pain.

What does holistic pet care mean?

Holistic pet care means to take a more “natural” and “common sense” approach to your pet's health care while taking into account the whole animal, as in the mind, body, and spirit.

What does holistic mean for dogs?

in consideration of the wholeThe term “holistic” means “in consideration of the whole” The HOPE of dog foods labeled as “holistic” is that they would be made of natural ingredients of human-grade quality without byproducts or fillers, made without chemicals or sewage sludge fertilizers and be easily digested.

What is holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine is a form of healing that considers the whole person -- body, mind, spirit, and emotions -- in the quest for optimal health and wellness.

What is a holistic doctor called?

A naturopathic doctor, or doctor of naturopathic medicine (ND), is trained in naturopathic medicine. This system of medicine combines Western science, natural therapies, and holistic approaches to treat health conditions.

How do I find a holistic vet near me?

You can start the process of finding the correct Vet by visiting the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association website atwww.ahvma.org. On their website you can enter in your zip code/state/etc. and they will give you all the registered Holistic Veterinarians in your area.

What is a holistic breeder?

What Are Holistic Dog Breeders? Holistic dog breeders feed their dogs a natural diet and avoid giving their dogs chemicals. They typically feed their dogs a raw diet. Often they do not vaccinate their dogs or treat their dog with the typical medicines for deworming and flea and tick prevention.

Does acupuncture work for dogs?

Acupuncture is often used to treat dogs with arthritis and joint inflammation. For example, dogs with hip dysplasia or degenerative joint disease are good candidates for acupuncture, which may alleviate pain and improve joint range of motion.

What animals can have acupuncture?

Q. What animals can you treat? A. In theory any animal can be treated with acupuncture, however the majority of work has been done on dogs, horses and cats so these are the most frequently treated species.

How much probiotic should I give my dog?

Probiotics are measured in colony forming units, or CFUs. The current recommendation for dogs is 1-10 billion CFUs a day.

Is holistic medicine right for my pet?

Is holistic medicine right for your pet? There’s no right answer to this question. Whether a holistic veterinarian is right for you and your pet is largely dependent on your own philosophy and what puts you at ease. Depending on the person and the pet, holistic care may or may not be the best choice.

Is holistic vet care good for pets?

Now that you know a little more about holistic veterinary care, you can decide whether it’s right for you and your pet. It’s really a matter of preference. Plenty of pets have had wonderful success with both traditional and holistic vet care. And don’t forget that you play an important role in your animal’s well-being.#N#Good nutrition, a safe environment, and proper grooming are all important for keeping your pet healthy. Learn more about how to ensure your household creatures thrive by reading our article, “ Taking Care of Animals: Pro Tips for Pet Owners .”

What is holistic medicine?

The techniques used in holistic medicine are gentle, minimally invasive, and incorporate patient well-being and stress reduction. Holistic thinking is centered on love, empathy, and respect. In treating an animal, a holistic veterinarian will determine the best combination ...

How to treat a dog's mouth?

Treating a dog’s mouth with laser therapy. In many acute situations, treatment may involve aspects of surgery and drug therapy from conventional Western technology, along with alternative techniques to provide a complementary whole. This form of treatment has great value for severe trauma and certain infections.

Why do vets give shots?

Vets only give shots annually because that’s what they’ve always done, not because of any proof they’re needed! Objection #2 – “If holistic medicine seems to work, it’s just a placebo effect.”. A conventional doctor will often dismiss a successful clinical response to a holistic therapy as a placebo effect.

Can you tell a dog that he needs to feel better?

Obviously, we can’t tell a dog or cat that he needs to feel better – either he responds to the therapy or he doesn’t. The second type of placebo effect does occur in pets as well as people. It involves the fact that unless a disease is terminal, a percentage of patients will get better regardless of treatment.

Is there a placebo controlled study on holistic medicine?

It’s true that double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are sometimes lacking when it comes to holistic medicine, but keep in mind that this type of study didn’t even exist until fairly recently. Doctors learned and shared with colleagues what worked and what didn’t work, based upon clinical experience.

Is there proof that holistic medicine works?

Objection #1 – “There’s no proof holistic medicine works.”. A large number of conventional doctors don’t believe there is any proof holistic therapies work. This is one of the objections that arose when I participated in a debate with a skeptical veterinarian at an AVMA conference, and it’s a common claim.

Can a pet recover from natural therapy without it?

It follows that if a natural therapy might not have worked, yet the pet recovers even without it, the same can be said of a drug . As a holistic doctor, I actually love the placebo effect because it shows me that my patients can get better on their own without the need for harsh conventional medications.

Can a dog have a placebo effect?

A conventional doctor will often dismiss a successful clinical response to a holistic therapy as a placebo effect. There are actually two types of placebo effect, but only one can occur in pets. The placebo effect we’re most familiar with cannot apply to dogs and cats. Here’s why.

Natural and holistic veterinary medicine specialties

Those who treat animals using this method choose a totalizing, prevention-based medicine. As with humans, there are a number of possibilities when thinking about preventing health disorders.

Modalities: which to choose?

When choosing natural and holistic veterinary medicine, we should have in mind which stage of the ailment our pet is in. These can be the initial phase of diagnosis and prevention, the clinical phase, or the convalescence phase.

Why choose a natural, holistic veterinarian?

First, before defining the modality, the diagnosis must be taken into account and the stage in which the ailment lies. Next, consider whether it’s a preventive method that’s needed or, on the contrary, an already advanced disease that needs a different modality.

What does a holistic vet look for in an animal?

An examination will include questions not only about nutrition but the animal’s mental state. A holistic vet will want to know as much about the animal’s state of mind as well as his or her physical situation.

Is holistic medicine a part of human medicine?

Holistic treatment has long been a part of the medical treatment for humans. Today, it is becoming more common for people to seek help for their pets that reflects their interest in avoiding conventional treatment. Many see holistic medicine – an alternative pet treatment, as the best way to ensure their pet is healthy and safe from disease and other medical conditions.

Most Common Types of Cancer in Dogs

Dogs are susceptible to many of the same cancers as humans. Chronic inflammation is primarily the contributor to cancer formation in the canine body.

What are the Signs of Cancer in Dogs

Cancer can hide beneath the surface, and it can be challenging to detect some cancers. Before we go on to list the most common signs of cancer in dogs, we want to emphasize the importance of taking your pet for wellness exams once or twice a year.

Holistic Supplements for Dogs with Cancer

Holistic treatment methods look at cancer as a symptom of an unhealthy and toxic body. This approach is different from the conventional treatment method that seeks to kill and poison cancer cells, even if it means harsh effects on the host.

Holistic Cancer Treatment for Dogs, Final Thoughts

Conventional oncology still has a role to play, and sometimes surgery to remove a tumor is necessary to save a dog. However, holistic options like Turkey Tail Mushrooms, CBD, and other immune-boosting supplements can go a long way in detoxing your pet and aiding their internal battle against cancer cells, and its side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Supporting your dog’s immune system and offering supplements that reduce inflammation can treat cancer in dogs naturally. Holistic options include Turkey Tail Mushrooms, CBD oil, Turmeric products, Antioxidant-rich food, and vitamins that support a healthy immune response.

What is holistic veterinarian?

Holistic veterinarians have traditionally been thought of as only using treatment plans that avoid drugs, surgery, and other conventional therapies.

What is the best treatment for a dog's problem?

Sometimes conventional medicine, such as surgery, is the only way to address a pet's problem. Every pet and every situation is different, but science-backed treatment options are always best.

What is traditional medical treatment?

Traditional medical treatments and protocols involving medications and surgery are referred to as being a part of Western, allopathic, mainstream, orthodox, biomedicine, or conventional medicine.

What is a veterinarian?

Veterinarians are doctors that are licensed to practice medicine on animals of all species. All veterinarians receive training to work on all species of animals while in school and are exposed primarily to conventional treatment options. But some veterinarians opt to take a different approach to treating animals and choose to practice holistic ...

Is homeopathy a substitute for traditional medicine?

Massage. It is important to remember that holistic treatments are not replacements for traditional medicine. Medications, vaccinations, surgery, and other conventional treatment options may still be necessary for a pet. Homeopathy is not as effective as surgery and supplements do not replace vaccines.

Is holistic medicine accepted by veterinarians?

Some holistic treatment options are now widely accepted by conventional veterinarians while others are not as welcomed into traditional medicine due to a lack of science backing them. Some holistic or integrative treatment options that pet owners might see include:

Can a veterinarian practice holistic medicine?

But some veterinarians opt to take a different approach to treating animals and choose to practice holistic medicine. It is important for pet owners to understand that conventional medicine is likely the most effective way for your pet to get immediate medical attention, and it's also important to know how holistic and conventional veterinarians ...

Can steroids help with inflammation?

Steroids can be a magic bullet for certain inflammatory conditions. When we can help decrease swelling and inflammation, we can help the body heal more quickly. Here are examples of conditions that I treat with steroids.

Can steroids cause hair loss in dogs?

Unless your dog has an autoimmune disease, it’s best to avoid long term steroid use. Thinning of skin, damage to the liver, loss of muscle, loss of hair, immune system suppression, and weakening of ligaments are just a few of the most common side effect of long term steroids.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9