Holistic Approach to Dog Medicine

Posted by Guest Contributor on May 7, 2010 in Pets | 1 comment

Holistic and Healthy

Holistic medicine sometimes known as “natural healing” places its emphasis on the whole body, taking into account environmental, nutritional, physical, and emotional factors. It is also referred to as alternative medicine because it embraces techniques that are not readily accepted by traditional practices.

Holistic medicine has been gaining increasing popularity in recent years and has begun to be used in treating pets and animals. Holistic medicine, formerly trivialized by the conventional medical community, has started to gain credence, and many times where traditional medicine has failed to produce results, holistic medicine is increasingly being used to find solutions.

Holistic medicine embraces a wide range of alternative therapies ranging from the use of herb, physical therapy, massage, homeopathy, acupuncture and chiropractic therapy. Veterinarians have become more willing to work with pet owners who would like to try alternative therapies to help prolong and improve their pet’s quality of life.

Most of the time, holistic medicine is turned to as a last attempt to cure a condition conventional medicine has failed to find answers for, but sometimes conventional medicine and holistic medicine work hand in hand to create optimal results, for example a dog who has just had surgery may benefit from holistic therapy which can help decrease the time needed for healing.

Acupuncture and acupressure have become popular in treating and alleviating many conditions such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, and even stomach disorders. Many pet owners prefer the natural treatment holistic medicine offers over more traditional drugs such as steroids and painkillers.

Trigger point therapy is another form of holistic medicine that is gaining traction among pet owners. Trigger point therapy involves the massaging of painful spots that can aid in relieving pain in limbs and muscles. Chiropractic therapy is also used in trigger point therapy as well as acupuncture.

Herbal therapy is yet another method of holistic care especially when traditional drugs and medication don’t produce the desired results or when the side effects of using these medications outweigh their benefits. Herbal therapy should only be conducted under the supervision of a veterinarian as many herbal potions are very potent and can be toxic under certain circumstances. Many proponents of herbal medicine claim that herbs such as wormwood or black walnut can safely be used for treating internal parasites in dogs. Valerian and passionflower are touted by herbalists as having sedative powers and licorice is thought to contain anti-inflammatory powers.

Perhaps the most important aspect of holistic medicine exists in good nutrition. The most important thing you can do for your pet is to ensure you feed him only the best food possible. Organically grown beef, fowl, and fish are healthy foods to feed your dog. Avoid cheap brands of commercial dog food as they contain many harmful additives and preservatives and can seriously damage your dog’s health in the long run. Always try to feed your dog wholesome, organic meats and vegetables to ensure he is getting the nutrients he needs to thrive.

Don’t be afraid to do further research on holistic medicine. Used in conjunction with conventional veterinary medicine, you can greatly improve your pet’s quality of life and perhaps even lengthen his life span.

Victoria Knight

Victoria Knight works with the Pet-Super-Store to promote an all-natural way of living to animals and pet owners.