Holistic veterinary medicine could complement your pet’s conventional veterinarian care
08 Jan 2017
Keeping pets in peak shape
By Haley Gray Boulder isnt exactly known for tepidness when it comes to holistic health care. Many residents prefer to eat healthily and deploy natural remedies as the first line of defense against sniffles and upset tummies. When it comes to pets, though, many are surprisingly, well, dogmatic. But holistic health care is an option for animals, too. The techniques used in holistic medicine are gentle, minimally invasive, and incorporate patient well-being and stress reduction, says the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. If you think your pet might benefit from a holistic health-care approach as part of an overall comprehensive care plan, read on.Find Your Fit
It can be overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to holistic pet health care. But luckily, the first and most important piece of advice pet guardians should heed is that they shouldntand cantbe the expert.Longtime Boulder holistic veterinarian Peter Rodgers, DVM, says educating pet owners about holistic pet care is often his most important role. While he (like all veterinarians) is trained in conventional medical practices, Rodgers integrates natural healing methods into his house-call practice. Every step of the way, he explains the process to his clients. Thats important, he says. When youre shopping around for a holistic vet, make sure they take that part of their work seriously. Ask any questions you may have about their practice, and dont hesitate to push for further explanations. Your vet should be willing and able to talk through all your concerns and provide thoughtful, informative answers to every question. Its like a job interview, Rodgers notes, and youre determining who is the best fit for you and your pet. Ultimately, you both should feel comfortable with the vet.Holistic Modalities
A veterinarian versed in both holistic and conventional treatments could incorporate alternative treatments, such as traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, when treating an animal. He or she might use any of the following modalities to treat a pet: Source: American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
Holistic Basics
For cats, dogs and humans alike, diet is often the first line of defense in holistic care. Many of the most common, everyday ailments can be traced back to diet. Just like their guardians, pets need balanced meals to feel good. Im a big advocate of carefully feeding additional unprocessed foodsincorporating some meat and vegetablesas opposed to solely processed foods, says Kelly Keeney, DVM and CVA (Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist).![](/wp-content/boulderhg/2017/01/pet-health-Photo-by-Javier-Brosch-300x200.jpg)
The Emotional Component
To Keeney, maintaining an openhearted connection with your pet is a crucial part of caring for them. Emotional health, she believes, is crucial to the full picture of your pets health. Because you know your pet, you know when he or she is happy. You can probably also tell when a pet isnt contentanxiety can generally be seen on their face and in the way they hold their body or tail. Pacing or unusual behaviors can also indicate stress. Fostering an emotional bond with your pet will help them (and you) live a fulfilling life with minimal anxiety. Plus, it allows you to notice health problems sooner if and when they turn up.![](/wp-content/boulderhg/2017/01/pet-health-Photo-by-Lisa-Truesdale-300x200.jpg)
When to Visit the Vet
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Integrating Holistic & Conventional Pet Care
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- There are times when holistic medicine works better and times when conventional medicine works better.
- Conventional medicine has many useful diagnostic techniques.
- Holistic methods work well for chronic diseases.
- Holistic methods are ideal for whole-body support.
- Surgery can be life-saving.
- In an emergency situation, conventional medicine works quickly and saves lives.