How to Find a Holistic Veterinarian

When I moved to a different part of my state I needed to find another vet I could trust like my old one Dr. Maggie Federhart at Whispering Waters Animal Clinic in Boone and I wanted a holistic vet like her too.

There are not as many out there as you would think. I checked with the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (http://www.ahvma.org/). Their web site has a section to click on to find a holistic vet near you. I also asked my vet if she knew anyone in our area. She did but they were no longer operating. I looked in the local phone book for ads about holistic vets. My new vet had an ad stating she was holistic. Finally I talked to local people who had pets, about who they went to..people at health food stores, pet stores, natural food stores etc.

The reason I prefer holistic vets to conventional ones is because they are more interested in healing pets than treating diseases. They don't just focus on the problem at hand but look at what would bring total wellness to the animal. The goal of holistic pet care is to prevent disease rather than just treat it. They use many types of alternative treatments - acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, herbs, Chinese medicine and nutrition.

By using all of the above methods, I did find a great holistic vet locally to bring my pets to for health care. I use Dr. Heather Sinclair of Haw Creek Animal Hospital in Asheville. But I keep in contact with my old vet through phone consultations. After all Maggie knows all my pets from treating them through the years. Most holistic vets will offer phone consults for those who live a distance away as long as you have a vet nearby to run tests and physically examine the pet.

I have had a holistic vet for my animals now for 10 years and would not have it any other way. I even use holistic doctors for my husband and I!

Quote of the Day

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul
remains unawakened."

- Anatole France

Homeopathic Remedies for Common Ailments

I have explained about homeopathic remedies in detail in an earlier post. I want to list here some common ailments and the remedies most likely to help heal them. I always keep a good selection of remedies on hand in case I need them.

Abscesses
Apis mellifica
Hepar Sulphuris calcarea
Silicea

Accidents and Trauma
Aconitum napellas
Arnica montana

Allergies
Arsenicum album
Rhus toxicodendrun
Sulphur

Arthritis
Bryonia alba
Calcarea florica
Rhus Tox
Ruta graveolens

Bronchitis
Byronia
Spongia tosta

Cystitis
Cantharis
Uva ursi

DiarrheaAloe
Arsenicum album
Silicea
Podophylum

Eye Conditons
Apis
Argentum nitricum
Cantharis
Natrum muriatricum
Rhus Tox

Fever
Aconite
Belladonna
Ferrum Phosphorus

Hives
Apis
Cantharis
Nat mur
Rhus tox
Urtica urens

Insect Bites
Apis
Cantharis
Hypericum
Lachesis muta
Ledum palustre

Motion Sickness
Cocculus indicus

Seizures
Aconite
Belladonna
Chamomilla
Phosphorus

Vomiting
Ars album
Cham
Mercurius vivus
Nat Mur
Nux Vomica
Phos

SAMe for pets

SAMe or S-Adenosylmethionine is a human supplement that can be helpful for pets. Special SAMe is specifically made for animals. Some of the benefits of SAMe for your pets are listed below.

1) It promotes the health of the liver.

2) It may help slow the aging process in senior pets.

3) It is helpful for disorders of the joints and connective tissue, including arthritis.

4) It may lower levels of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with heart disease.

5) SAMe+ is a powerful antioxidant that can help detoxify the liver.

Special SAMe+, while labeled for pets, is great for people too. In addition, this product is not just your everyday SAMe that you can purchase at the drug store---it is third party tested for purity and potency and includes additional ingredients for maximum absorption and effectiveness. Special SAMe+ tablets are enterically coated in order to prevent its breakdown by stomach acidity and promote intact absorption in the small intestine. Vitamins B6, B12, and folate were added in order to provide cofactors for the natural conversions of SAMe to L-homocysteine and then safely to L-cysteine

SAMe+ has been scientifically shown in research studies to help relieve joint pain, elevate mood and support the liver.

For joint pain, Special SAMe+ is a great addition to use along with standard joint supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, etc.

As with any herbs or supplements, ask your vet before giving to your pet to make sure there aren't any conditions that might be adversely affected by taking SAMe.

Special SAMe is available through www.askariel.com web site or other sources online.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

This is one phone number that should be on every pet owner's refrigerator!

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is the only 24-hour, 365-day facility of its kind staffed by 30 veterinarians, 12 of who are board-certified toxicologists/veterinary toxicologists.

Located in Urbana, Ill., the specially trained staff provides assistance to pet owners, and specific diagnostic and treatment recommendations to veterinarians pertaining to toxic chemicals and dangerous plants, products or substances. In 2006, the center handled over 116,000 cases. The APCC also provides extensive veterinary toxicology consulting on a wide array of subjects, including legal cases, formulation issues, product liability, and regulatory reporting.

For more information on potentially dangerous substances in the home or to reach the APCC, please call (888) 426-4435 or visit www2.aspca.org/apcc

Raisins and Grapes are Toxic to Pets

An email message is circulating that raisins can be toxic to pets. This one is true.

From April 2003 to April 2004, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center managed 140 cases, each involving one or more dogs that ingested varying amounts of raisins or grapes. Of these cases, over 50 animals developed clinical signs ranging from vomiting to life-threatening kidney failure, and seven dogs died.

Much is still yet to be discovered about the toxic principle associated with grape and raisin ingestions, as well as the exact mechanism leading to kidney damage in some dogs. It is also not clear if only canines are susceptible to developing a toxicosis, and additionally if only certain dogs are affected, or if chronic, long term ingestions can lead to the same effects as large, acute or single ingestions.As there are still many unknowns with the toxic potential of grapes and raisins, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center advises not giving grapes or raisins to pets in any amount.

Please call (888) 426-4435 if you have a pet that has ingested grapes or raisins, or you suspect may be experiencing problems.

Chronic Renal Failure

I noticed my oldest cat Chica, at age 16, was vomiting yellow frothy liquid. She had lost weight and seemed to be a little off. She was drinking more and urinating pale urine in large volumes.

I called my vet and made an appointment to bring Chica in. To start her off she told me to give Chica the homeopathic remedy Nux Vomica to stop the vomiting. It worked.

At the appointment, after a physical exam, Maggie told me she thought Chica had renal failure. We did blood work to be sure but all her symptoms were right on target. I was upset as I had just gone through illnesses with one of my other cats. Maggie told me she had great luck with some new natural treatments for renal failure and to not give up hope.

What we ended up using for her treatment are the products below...this is two years later and Chica is going strong.

Feline Renal Support by Standard Process of Palmyra, WI
This is a supplement made of bovine glandulars - kidney, liver, spleen. Plus other herbal ingredients. I give Chica two tablets a day.

Rehnnannie Eight Formula
This is a Chinese herbal mix for strengthening the kidneys. I give her 1/8 to 1/4 of a teaspoon twice a day.

Terrain Max - Kidney Terrain (T-12)
This is a multivitamin, mineral and cofactor supplement to boost kidneys. It is made by Apex Energetics of Irvine, CA. It contains a mix of colostrum, dandelion, nettle, flower remedies and other herbs and minerals. I giver her 6 drops daily.

And finally Renelix, a homeopathic medicine for kidney dysfunction.
it is made in Germany and distributed by BioResource, Inc. of Cotati, CA. This has various homeopathic remedies used for detoxifying the kidneys, bladder and urological tract. I give her 4-6 drops a day of this.

A very important treatment is subcutaneous hydration. Renal failure causes toxins to build in their system and this will help flush them out. Most vets tell you to start doing this weekly or more often depending on the diagnosis. I am not able to do this since Chica puts up a fight and struggles, wails. It is too stressful for her to force her to do this. I found that Renelix does the job and give this to her daily instead.

I had already changed the cat food to a better quality brand like Wellness, Pet Gaurd, Innova to start. It seems the holistic view to diet is that high quality protein with little or no additives is best. The less the kidneys have to process in terms of toxins, the better they function.

You need to work with your vet and to try to find a holistic vet near you to help add to the treatment. I found western medicine to be very inadequate as far as treatment options for renal failure.

Another avenue I recommend is www.askariel.com. (See my sidebar)I found Renelix and Terrain Max through her site. This site belongs to Susan Davis who is a nutritionist for animals. Her dog was diagnosed with renal failure. She looked for options and created this site to help others. She also does consultations to patients not living near her in California.

Good luck and keep trying new things. So much comes into the healthcare markets everyday!