The word "holistic" sounds so healthy and pure and it has become a common buzzword when humans discuss their health and now dog owners are getting into the act and are looking for holistic veterinarians.
Holistic is defined as pertaining to the whole body treatment of disease by taking into consideration every part of the body to bring the internal environment into balance.
There are many holistic healing systems that fall under the holistic umbrella such as acupuncture, chiropractic, flower essences and craniosacral body- work. Other terms you may hear are allopathic, homeopathy, modality and traditional Chinese medicine.
Basically holistic care should take into consideration the age, breed, general health and the lifestyle of the dog, along with the commitment the owner is willing to make. Holistic treatment focuses on the whole dog as well as any health problems the dog may have.
The purpose of holistic treatment is to return the body to its normal balance, so that it can resolve disease from within the body and not by using drugs and/or surgery. For many of the conditions a dog may have, the most holistic approach will involve a rational selection of conventional and complementary therapies. However, if need be, holistic vets do prescribe medications and do surgery, but only if alternative measures will not cure the problem.
Many people start their puppy's on a holistic way of life from the start, by feeding them a home-prepared diet, keeping vaccines to a minimum and taking them to a acupuncturist or chiropractor for what are called "tune-up" visits to keep small problems from becoming big ones.
Holistic pet care is the belief in unconventional therapies and treatments, which involves a myriad of homeopathic solutions, vitamins and natural remedies. It also includes managing a pet's health with alternative medicines such as herbs, therapeutic nutrition, natural dietary foods, homeopathy, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, massage and other physical therapies.
Does it work? Is there proof that it does anything? Can I pull up a list of statistics that will show you how it works? No, I really cannot at this point, however I can point out that "blind studies" have been done using a Placebo Controlled Study, which is considered the "gold standard" for scientific proof. Which again brings up the question some people get better using a placebo and yes, some pets do too, so where is the proof.
Since I am not a scientist or a veterinarian, I am just going to say this in respect to holistic care. If a person and/or a pet can get better with a placebo or on their own, why not use a safe and natural approach to health care rather than medication, which may have a whole bunch of side effects.
Conventional medicine tends to concentrate more on the removal of symptoms and the suppression of disease by the use of antibiotics and other drugs. Antibiotics are life saving drugs to be used in severe cases, but in many situations prolonged use affects the immune system in both humans and dogs.
Treating minor problems holistically with a natural means enhances the immune response, which in turn becomes stronger so that when another infection comes along it can fight it off naturally. Holistic treatment allows the immune system and the resistance to disease to become stronger and helps the dog become stronger and healthier.
Drugs work directly on the body to decrease the response of the immune system and that is why they work to remove symptoms. Holistic treatment offers fewer side effects and actually prevents the disease by improving the immune system and overall health of the dog. When animals are born and raised in this way the effects of better health are so much more obvious. Dogs appear younger and have so much more vitality and they hardly ever get sick. If they do get sick, they recuperate more rapidly. It is a case of an ounce of prevention is worth pound of cure.
Why choose natural treatments versus conventional treatments? Many times there are no conventional treatments available for certain ailments. Milk thistle is a great herb to heal liver problems and there is no conventional medication available. Probiotics and glutamine are natural therapies for treating diseased intestinal tracts. Sometimes natural therapies are given to minimize the side effects of conventional medications.
Many owners of dogs feel natural therapies are much safer than conventional ones. Granted that sometimes, herbal therapies can be toxic, over all holistic therapies are safer than conventional ones, especially for long-term use in treatment of inflammation and pain.
There are many benefits in considering holistic treatments for your dog, as more and more people are finding benefits for themselves in such treatment, they are now looking for holistic veterinarians. My suggestion is find a good holistic reference book and learn more about holistic treatment and what it .
| If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com |
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment