| Research has shown that health is influenced by | | | | OTHER ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES |
| physical, mental, and emotional factors. | | | | There are many more alternative therapies than |
| Holistic medicine includes an evaluation of diet, | | | | those described here including Aromatherapy, |
| emotions, behavior, and lifestyle, in addition to the | | | | Detoxification, Magnetic Field Therapy and Energetic |
| routine physical exam. Holistic Medicine is alsocalled | | | | Therapies like Reiki. As traditional research continues |
| Alternative Medicine and is an approach that deals | | | | to uncover the efficiency of these treatments, more |
| with the whole patient, not just the presenting | | | | will find their way into mainstream veterinary |
| complaint. | | | | medicine. |
| The veterinarian will need to know as much as | | | | FLOWER ESSENCES |
| possible about your pet's environment. History taking | | | | Flower essences are diluted flower preparations that |
| will include your dog's living arrangements as well as | | | | are used to treat behavioral problems, fears and |
| past medical problems and treatments. Owners need | | | | other psychological problems, especially those |
| to be prepared to answer questions concerning their | | | | associated with stress. They help to rebalance mental |
| pets fears, food preferences and emotions. The time | | | | and emotional well-being. Originally, Edward Bach, a |
| of day a problem occurs is also an important factor in | | | | British physician in the 1930's, developed 38 different |
| making a diagnosis. Vets will take extra time to | | | | flower essences, each of which was used to |
| discuss how to monitor results of specific therapies | | | | rebalance a different emotional situation. These |
| and how to determine whether or not certain | | | | essences are therefore also called Bach Flower |
| environmental factors are influencing their pet's health. | | | | Remedies. |
| HERBALISM | | | | Rescue Remedy is one of the most popular. It is a |
| Using plants and herbs for medicinal purposes is an | | | | mixture of five flower essences and is commonly |
| ancient practice. You can cut up fresh herbs and mix | | | | used after a physical or emotional trauma or a |
| them into the food, or use the liquid "tincture" form, | | | | stressful situation. For example, with a dog stressed |
| which is the most potent and the best choice in | | | | by a major change in his or her home life, two drops |
| most cases. Herbs can be used externally as dips and | | | | in or on the mouth or tongue two to three times |
| tonics for skin problems. They also have unique | | | | daily is often an effective remedy. You can also put |
| properties when it comes to stimulating the immune | | | | two to three drops into the water bowl. Most dogs |
| system for diseases like cancer that are largely | | | | relax and adjust to the change more easily. |
| un-treatable by traditional methods. | | | | ACUPUNCTURE |
| Certain herbs are potentially toxic at any dose and | | | | Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into specific |
| should be avoided. These include: Chaparral, Comfrey, | | | | body points to stimulate the body's immune system |
| Pennyroyal, Garlic, Tea Tree and Mahuang. | | | | to heal itself. It is used to relieve pain caused by |
| HOMEOPATHY | | | | arthritic conditions like Hip Dysplasia and Spinal Disc |
| Homeopathists believe that giving an extremely dilute | | | | Disease as well as skin allergies, Chronic Bowel |
| form of a substance similar to the one causing the | | | | Diseases and nervous disorders including Epilepsy. The |
| symptoms, stimulates the body to overcome the | | | | relief is generally temporary and several treatments |
| illness itself. The remedies used are all natural and are | | | | are often needed for positive results. |
| derived from plants, minerals, or animal products. | | | | CHIROPRACTIC CARE |
| They are precisely diluted one part to 90 parts | | | | Chiropractic Care involves manipulating the spinal cord |
| alcohol then vigorously shaken to become activated. | | | | to adjust misplaced vertebrae that may be impinging |
| The more dilute the remedy, the stronger it gets and | | | | on nerves and impeding movement. It can be useful |
| the more intrinsic energy it releases. This energy | | | | to relieve musculoskeletal pain resulting from trauma |
| rebalances the body's "vital force" or "chi", which | | | | and arthritis as well as other degenerative processes |
| stimulates the body's immune system to heal itself. | | | | affecting the spine, joints, and bony skeleton. |
| You can buy most homeopathic remedies in a | | | | NATUROPATHY |
| specific strength. The number after the name | | | | Naturopaths believe that diseases are caused by a |
| indicates the strength, for example, Arsenica album | | | | buildup of toxins in the body. They recommend a |
| 6c. The remedies can be given as pellets or crushed | | | | regime of good nutrition and exercise combined with |
| to powder and given by mouth. They must be | | | | bathing, massage, and sunshine. |
| handled and given according to specific guidelines as | | | | GLANDULAR THERAPY |
| they can easily become inactivated. | | | | These are biologically active nutritional supplements |
| Homeopathic remedies are compatible with nutritional | | | | given as treats or mixed with food. Many contain |
| and chiropractic therapies. However, they should not | | | | glands from hormone secreting organs, such as the |
| be used with acupuncture or strong herbal tintures | | | | thyroid, and are used to stimulate a weakened gland |
| because they can inactivate each other. Working with | | | | to function normally. These are very safe. |
| a homepathic vet is essential for successful therapy. | | | | |