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Veterinary
medicine
Holistic Veterinary Medicine is becoming increasingly
popular for pets and a brief introductory article was included in a
previous edition of this publication. Because this method of treatment is
unfamiliar, people are not always sure how exactly it can help their cat
or dog. Since holistic treatment includes many modalities and treats the
animal as a whole rather than just removing symptoms it is not always
clear what approach might be most suitable for each individual animal or
condition. For example, certain diseases respond better to acupuncture or
homeopathy, while other may be better treated with Bach Flower Remedies or
nutritional supplements. It is important to assess the animal overall, and
get an idea of the general health and condition. This will determine how
well they will respond to treatment and what the expected results might be
to a particular modality. This may be affected by the age, condition,
nutritional status and any disease that the pet is suffering from.
Furthermore, and of great importance, is the actual diagnosis of any
disease condition that may be present. This is where conventional medicine
comes in and bloodwork, x-rays and other tests may be necessary to
determine the diagnosis. Then the holistic practitioner, who may also be
the same veterinarian under a different guise, will be able to decide what
approach is likely to work best for that individual animal as well as
being able to assess the possible response and outcome that might be
expected. Some examples of individual cases that have been treated are
discussed below.
So how does holistic veterinary medicine work?
As discussed in the previous article conventional medicine tends to
concentrate more on the removal of symptoms and suppression of disease, by
the use of drugs such as antibiotics and cortisone. While antibiotics are
life-saving drugs and should certainly be used in severe infections and
diseases a lot of minor problems are better treated more naturally. This
enhances the immune response, which then becomes stronger, so next time an
infection is encountered the body can fight it off without any or little
treatment. Holistic treatment allows the immune system and resistance to
become stronger and works in the opposite direction to conventional
medicine so the body becomes much healthier. This means the animal is
getting stronger each time they are treated, rather that becoming weaker.
Drugs such as corticosteroids work directly on the body to decrease the
response of the immune system and that is why they work to remove
symptoms. The beauty of the holistic approach is that there are much fewer
side effects and it actually prevents disease by improving the immune
system and overall health of the animal. So animals treated this way live
longer and healthier lives. Often holistic treatment is sought only as a
last resort, but when animals are born and raised this way the effects are
much more rewarding as the difference in health is so obvious. Animals
appear younger and have so much more vitality it is a joy to see them. In
addition they hardly ever get sick, or if they do, they get better much
more rapidly, without serious ill effects. As the old adage says,
prevention really is better than cure.
THOR - who needed good nutrition
Thor was a stray puppy that was dropped off in a bread bin by a dumpster,
suffering from severe mange, rickets and hip dysplasia. He was so weak
that he could not stand or walk normally. In fact he looked like he did
not have much chance at all of becoming a normal healthy dog. He had no
hair and had oozing sores all over him. His front legs were so weak that
they were no longer straight and his hips were obviously abnormal. He was
started immediately on a natural diet, with lots of meat and vegetables
and was given nutritional supplements for his skin and to strengthen his
joints and ligaments. The supplements included bone meal, garlic and
brewers yeast, and some powerful natural supplements designed to build up
joints and bones. He was given a shampoo and a mild dip and some herbal
oils were rubbed on the skin. Calendula ointment was applied to the sores
as this helps heal open wounds and is very soothing. The next day the
sores had dried up and he was a little more lively. A homeopathic remedy
was given, which was Sulfur 30 C, as this is good for skin conditions and
mange. He had an excellent response to this and in a few days was happy
and lively. The hair started to grow back and after a few weeks he had a
healthy shiny coat. The more severe hip problems caused by malnutrition
also began to improve, although he was kept in a small area so he did not
overstrain himself. He had an acupuncture treatment and gradually his
limbs became straight and he could walk and run and play like any other
puppy. Now, almost two months later, the ugly duckling has become a swan
and Thor has become a beautiful healthy Rottweiler.
DEJA VU - who needed homeopathy
Deja vu was at that time a sixteen year old calico cat, who was having
early signs of kidney failure. She was not feeling quite herself and had
started to lose weight and drink more water than normal. Her owners
decided to try holistic treatment, since there was not much that could be
done conventionally to prevent the kidneys from failing. She was started
on a natural home prepared diet which her devoted humans began to prepare
for her each day. The diet consisted of brown rice, vegetables and grains,
with a low amount of protein, since the kidneys were no longer able to
process meat in her diet, or processed cat food. Deja vu took to the diet
well, and did not mind the homeopathic remedies she was given too much.
She was doing well for about six months, when the liver went into a crisis
and she lost some more weight. At that time she was given additional
supplements, and also some acupuncture, to try and strengthen both her
liver and her kidneys. While there is no cure for old age acupuncture has
been well known in China for enhancing longevity and there are specific
points described in ancient Chinese texts for this very purpose. Certainly
no-one had informed Deja vu she was over one hundred in human years and
she responded well to the treatments she received so that her liver and
kidneys returned to normal values. She continued to improve and gain
weight and started to behave like a young cat again, indeed her favorite
pastimes are to climb trees when she is allowed out and terrorize the
lizards in the back-yard.
Deja lived to be a happy grandmother cat and looked and acted as if she
was ten years younger, right until she passed away at the grand old age of
24, which I attribute to her diet and her excellent response to
homeopathic medicine and acupuncture. She just returned (to her disgust)
for periodic check ups to make sure she was doing fine, but sadly we
cannot live for ever, and she used up the last of her nine lives in 2003.
Deja was 24 years old and while her kidneys are not as strong as they
were, and she developed some arthitis, she was still enjoying life and
especially being waited on by her humans Rod and Sharon until her time
came. I know the love and dedication both Rod and Sharon gave to Deja
played a huge part in her long and happy life, despite her health
challenges and age. There is nothing to replace love and care in healing
and wellness for both people and animals. Deja needless to say is greatly
missed by Rod and Sharon, and truly was an inspiration to us all. I know
they were honored to have her in their lives.
BUBBA - who needed acupuncture
Bubba was a young black Labrador-Sharpei mix aged about eleven months. He
was suffering from arthritis caused by hip dysplasia, which meant his hip
joints were formed abnormally and the bones did not fit together like they
should. He also had arthritis in the front legs which meant he was in a
lot of pain. Consequently he could not walk or run, and was permanently
lame and stiff. It was impossible for him to jump up onto things and he
was on a lot of pain medication, and the long term prognosis did not look
too good.As mentioned in the previous article the effects of acupuncture
include pain relief decreased inflammation and increased blood flow to the
area. Conditions such as hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc collapse,
arthritis and nerve damage often respond well to acupuncture. Acupuncture
appeared to be the best approach to treating Bubba. In addition he was
given a better diet and nutritional supplements, once again, to help
strengthen the bones and ligaments and counteract inflammation and pain.
Vitamin C is very important in the treatment of hip dysplasia, as well as
a good balanced diet. Bubba was also given shark cartilage and bone meal
to try and build his joints back up and help in his development, as he was
still growing at this stage. He was given his first acupuncture treatment
and went home with his medication. Two weeks later he was doing much
better. Bubba is an extremely strong and hyperactive dog and he hated not
being able to get around, so it was great to see him return to his own
self. He had two more acupuncture treatments, at two weekly intervals, and
continued with the nutritional supplements after which time he was doing
so well that he was able to stop the treatments, although he continues to
take the supplements, which are preventing the return of his symptoms.
LUCAS - who needed nutrition
Lucas was a two year old orange cat, who had osteoporosis, which was
thought to be caused by a possible virus that had affected the kidneys. He
had multiple fractures in the hips and could hardly walk with his rear
end, appearing to be very stiff and in a lot of pain. Initially he was
started on a specific nutritional supplement for the bones, which is
designed to reverse bone disease and supply the nutrients the bone needs
to reform and develop. In addition a natural vitamin and sea mineral
supplement was given and a homeopathic remedy, Hypericum, which was to
treat the pain and stiffness he was suffering from. Some green lipped
mussel extract was also used, which helps with arthritis and and muscle
and joint pain. One month later Lucas appeared to be more comfortable and
was moving around more easily. He continued to slowly improve and did not
return for a visit for several months, although he continued on the
natural medication he was prescribed. When he came back in for the recheck
he looked like a different cat. He was walking around freely and happily
and was obviously in a lot less pain. He had gained weight and was happy
and purring. The most amazing thing about Lucas was that when he returned
to the regular veterinarian for x-rays the bones had actually regenerated
and were much stronger and thicker than when he was originally diagnosed
with the condition. Now it is over one year later and Lucas is still doing
very well and has even begun to jump up onto things by himself, which he
was unable to do before. Now, unfortunately, his canine companion Williams
has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia, so let us hope that Williams
responds as well to his treatment.
ZEUS - who needed homeopathy
Zeus was a mixed German Shepherd puppy who had been hand reared on a baby
bottle by his loving owner. When he was about six weeks old he suddenly
looked very ill and stopped eating. He was diagnosed with Parvo which is a
serious viral condition causing vomiting and severe diarrhea, with blood.
Because he was bottle raised and did not get the antibodies from his
mother which would have helped to protect him from this deadly disease he
got a extremely sick. Homeopathy works very well against acute problems
like this and it was decided that this would be the best treatment. The
most important thing for this disease is plenty of fluids and
electrolytes, ideally directly into the blood stream via intravenous
infusions. However, if this is not possible plenty of oral fluids, such as
Pediolyte also helps. Zeus was started on intravenous fluids and was given
various homeopathic remedies through the course of the next few days. At
first it looked like touch and go and he was very weak and sick, and
unable to eat or drink or keep anything down, but he slowly began to
respond and stopped vomiting and having diarrhea. He was also given
slippery elm, and goldenseal combination, which helps to soothe the
irritated intestines and also boost his immune system, which becomes very
suppressed by the virus. Slowly he got better and returned to normal, with
a lot of loving care and nursing from his owner, and Zeus never looked
back. Treatment of parvo with homeopathic remedies is effective and seems
to decrease the severity of the condition and to speed the recovery time.
Distemper, another well known infectious disease also responds well to
homeopathy, and while it is more difficult to treat, can be reversed with
large intravenous doses of Vitamin C. I have had several cases of
distemper encephalitis respond to homeopathy, even though it is usually
hopeless at this stage.
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