What is Holistic Veterinary Care and What Can It Do?
One of the things I have discovered as a veterinarian is that each animal has a story; whether it is jovial, humorous, curious, heart-rending, or all of the above, every story is individual and precious. It has been a privilege for me to participate in many of these stories—which for me is often like taking a journey with the animal.
Before a new journey can begin, there are several components of each animal’s past history that are considered when they come to see us. We evaluate the animal’s daily habits of eating, drinking, eliminating, sleeping and dreaming, as well as its methods of comforting itself (such as seeking cool tiles to lie on, or places in the warm sun) and how it relates to humans and other animals (friendly or guarded).
Each individual has a medical background full of important details that are scrutinized. That includes any “seemingly” unrelated illnesses; for example, ear infections in a dog that has come in for digestive problems. Blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, etc, from other veterinarians also provide critical parts of each animal’s story. In addition to the standard veterinary evaluation, we also take into account the color and characteristics of the animal’s tongue, pulse, feet, ear temperatures, and flexibility in joints and spine.
This combination of conventional, naturopathic, and oriental viewpoints informs us of what balances and imbalances are part of the animal’s condition and guides us to the appropriate treatments and remedies for their care (which may include further diagnostic testing from conventional veterinarians). Each animal is unique and their treatment is conducted as such.
Jesse
The first journey I will share is about a dachshund named “Jesse.” Jesse has one of those looks that masterfully seems to say, “Now that you’re looking in my eyes, can’t you see that I’m the center of your world?” He first came to us with progressive back pain and paralysis in his hind legs. Carol and Larry, Jesse’s loving owners, had been treating his pain with the standard treatment of Dexanaethasone tablets. However, when the dosage was lowered, as is recommended after the first week, Jesse became paralyzed in his hind legs.
Jesse was brought to us and evaluated and given treatment with herbs, acupuncture, and osteopathic manipulations. With each treatment, Jesse regained more use of his rear legs. Now, he enjoys his favorite pastime of searching for critters in the backyard wood pile.
Recent studies in dogs and humans with acute spinal cord injuries confirm more rapid recovery when treated with electroacupuncture. Acupuncture has also been shown to speed the recovery rate of animals that have undergone surgery. To read more about the benefits of acupuncture and disk disease, visit Veterinary Practice News.
Sophie
Another journey involves a 13-year-old Golden Retriever named “Sophie.” Rae, (owner), brought her gentle retriever to see us for digestive problems. Since a young age, Sophie had gurgling gastrointestinal sounds in her abdomen, poor appetite, a tendency to lose weight and vomit bile. A surgery for Pyloric Stenosis (a narrowed valve at the end of the stomach) had helped her to a certain degree but the illness persisted.
After an evaluation, Sophie was placed on an herb formula customized for her symptoms. After a week of no improvement, the herbal formula was modified. Sophie quickly gained a normal appetite, stopped vomiting, and became increasingly playful. “I can’t believe it!” exclaimed Rae less than a month after Sophie’s visit, “When I come home she is barking at the door to be fed. She has never been so excited to eat!” That was eight months ago and Sophie continues to enjoy her meals and overwhelm Rae with her boisterous behavior.
Numerous digestive disorders improve using herbal therapies as well as different types of diets.
Bogie
For over a year, “Bogie,” a cute Bichon, suffered from dangerous fevers that often reached 104 degrees and caused appetite loss, lethargy, and frequent vomiting. The skin of Bogie’s abdomen was breaking out in raised vesicles (blisters) and he would cry and bite at his person/owner when they lifted him from the abdomen. Bogie had undergone extensive, thorough medical evaluations and treatments including those administered by a board certified veterinary internal specialist. Multiple tests for Valley Fever, Tick Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme’s disease, etc had been done in hopes of finding the cause of the fevers. All turned up negative.
Using an oriental medical approach, Bogie was evaluated and treated with herb formulas and dietary changes which permanently relieved his cycling fevers, vesicles and lethargy. Now, a year later, Bogie is his playful self again.
Bogie’s condition, from a conventional and holistic viewpoint, could have been a type of autoimmune disorder or possibly a pathogen (disease agent) lodged in his system. Oriental medicine, using herbs, acupuncture, and diet can often be extremely helpful and/or curative for such conditions.
Spike
Another memorable journey is about a dog named “Spike,” a high-strung rat terrier that came to us for “fear-aggression,” (a defensive aggression arising out of fear). He was a notorious speedster on the agility track and had a reputation for biting at people who reached their hands toward him—including the friendly neighborhood holistic veterinarian (that would be me). In addition to treating Spike’s spine, hips, and toe joints for stiffness, we also gave him an herb formula fitted to treat his fear-aggression.
One year later, Spike is still tearing around the agility track. While his anxiousness is not 100 percent gone, he is content with howling at strangers instead of lashing out to bite at them.
Acupuncture and herbs are known to help mediate some of the emotional extremes of fright, aggression, depression and more.
Archie
The last journey I would like to share with you is about “Archie.” Archie had a long history of seizures which had previously been controlled with the use of anti-seizure medications Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide. Archie’s person/owner came to our office when Archie’s seizure problem escalated beyond the control of his medications. Archie was convulsing an average of fifteen seizures per 24 hour period.
We saw Archie on a Thursday. He was treated with acupuncture and given a specific herb formula to treat his type of imbalance, (there is no one-size-fits-all seizure herb formula). Archie’s owner was also advised to take Archie off his grain-infused dog food, (we have experienced that some seizing animals stop seizing when taken off grain.) By Sunday, Archie’s owner reported, “I’ve got my dog back!” Archie subsequently had one mild seizure the following week, and as of a month ago, has not seized since.
Many dogs, like Archie, experience a decrease in the intensity or the frequency of seizures with the help of holistic therapies.
Like all aspects of veterinary medicine, “Holistic” medicine is constantly growing and evolving. As a practitioner, I am also continually learning and growing from my patients and our time spent together. I am grateful to be part of their journey.
One of the goals of this article has been to “Spread the word” as to the variety of illnesses and ailments that holistic medicine can treat and sometimes cure. “Holistic Therapy” is composed of a group of approaches (acupuncture, osteopathy, Reiki, etc) that are considered different or “Alternative” to current conventional approaches. Having practiced both of these sets of treatments for many years, it is my observation that there is tremendous value in both approaches.
Holistic veterinary medicine is not a replacement for what is considered conventional! The question to ask is this: “How can we combine these approaches to maximize benefits for our animals and ourselves?” We, at Harmony Veterinary Care, enjoy and are honored to work collaboratively with the many talented, intelligent and hardworking veterinarians in the tri-city area.
Maybe someday, there won’t be “Alternative” and “Conventional” therapies but one integration of effective approaches!
If you would like to consult with a holistic veterinarian, a directory can be found atwww.ahvma.org.
Dr. Metcalf
6-23-09
Edited by Clare Hancock
See Dr. Metcalf at Work: Click Here to see Dr. Metcalf’s Microcurrent Treatment for Dogs
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