So you have read the articles and all the news about alternative or holistic medicine and you are thinking you would like to take your dog to a holistic veterinarian – but where to begin?
We asked Dr. Christina Chambreau, DVM, Homeopathic veterinarian, author, educator, and Associate Editor of Integrative Veterinary Care Journal, to answer your questions on how to work with a holistic vet and how make sure you pick the right one for you and your dog.
What makes a vet Holistic?
CC: An integrative veterinarian who is truly holistic will focus on the whole animal, not merely on resolving symptoms. Anyone can use drugs, herbs, flower essences, etc., to resolve symptoms. The holistic approach is to address the underlying energetic imbalance causing most of the symptoms, especially of aging.
Holistic medicine takes the perspective of treating the whole animal. Even if there is a current problem, for example diarrhea or itching, a good integrative veterinarian will ask questions about what problems there have been in the past, what changes in the household or the environment may have triggered the current complaint and if there is anything that makes the current complaints better or worse. They will also evaluate the overall energy level of the animal. Their goal is to make the animal healthier for life, not just to get rid of the current symptom. They will educate you and explain what they see when physically examining your animal.
How can dog owners familiarize themselves with alternative medicines?
CC: Read, read, read! Websites, classes, and Facebook are all great places to look. I also suggest subscribing to holistic pet magazines like Animal Wellness.
I do Q&A every second and last Monday from 2-3pm EST for Animal Wellness.
Dogs Naturally magazine did a 3-day nutrition seminar and will be doing a holistic health seminar soon.
I teach classes, do webinars and soon will offer coaching to have healthy pets.
I also have a “My Favorite Books” page on my website for reading suggestions.
Once you have done the internet work suggested above, how do you select a vet?
CC: Ask the veterinarian you are interested in:
- Ask what modalities are used?
- What is their training?
- Is their goal overall health or to merely treat the current complaint? This may be the most important question.
- What organizations they belong to & how recently have they gone to conferences or taught? (Just because they belong to AHVMA, or AVH, does not mean they are trained or capable in those modalities.)
How do you know if you are getting good service and what can you do to help them help your animals?
CC: As she treats your animal, a good holistic veterinarian will usually:
- Ask about the history, overall energy, what might have caused the current problem, the environment and what makes the symptoms better or worse.
- Their physical exam will be gentle, complete and they will show you (you may need to ask) what they mean by “gingivitis, big lymph nodes, heart murmur”, etc.
- They will be willing to answer your questions and explain why they are recommending a particular treatment.
- If they recommend conventional treatments (antibiotics, prednisone, etc.) they will explain to you why they choose this over holistic, and give you a chance to request the more holistic treatment.
- They will not do anything (vaccinate, treat) without asking you first.
- They will recommend fewer or no vaccinations and a raw meat or at least more holistic diet.
- They will schedule follow up appointments until your animal is really healthy.
What you can do to help your holistic veterinarian:
- Keep a dated journal of any problems, even little ones.
- Write down any treatments given.
- Call if symptoms worsen, or they are less energetic and less happy, or you have concerns.
Are there Certifications or schooling dog owners should look for?
CC: Some of the modalities that integrative veterinarians may use in addition to conventional include acupuncture, herbs, flower essences, homeopathy, chiropractic, network chiropractic, nutrition, glandulars, Reiki, Tellington touch, healing touch, long distance healing modalities.
Some of these have certification programs with a year or more of courses, exams and evaluation of clinical ability. Veterinarians can be certified in veterinary homeopathy, acupuncture, Chinese Food Therapy, chiropractic and osteopathy. Just because they have taken a course, or even are certified, does not mean they are thinking from a holistic perspective.
Others are either self-taught or not regulated.
Anything else about choosing the right vet?
CC: Some individuals are wonderful with your animal — others great at explaining to you what is happening with your animals. A few are good in both areas. Few veterinarians are perfect, and we all have bad days. Your animal should at least be comfortable with your choice and you should be able to get your questions and concerns addressed.
Once they find a vet, If a dog owner isn’t sure about something they are doing, what should they do?
CC: Ask, Ask, Ask! If you do not understand, it is the vet’s fault, not yours. Never think you are dumb or silly to not understand. We need to communicate so you understand. Find a Q&A [forum] to ask (lots around – all experts, etc.) or get a second opinion. I find really integrative vets are more likely to really work with you to [make sure you] understand what the vet is doing.
Should they continue to see their previous, conventional vet? Is there a need to do so?
CC: No. If you have a local (even 1 or 2 hours drive) good integrative vet you need not continue with a merely conventionally trained one. If you need to work by phone with a homeopathic vet, then you will need to find a local conventional vet who is willing to be your diagnostician and let the homeopathic vet do the treating.
About the Author
Based in Wilsonville, Ore., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a member of the Dog Writers Association of America. She is the founder of A Fairytail House. In her spare time, she trains and competes in a variety of performance events with her Shetland Sheepdogs and caters to her two rescue kitties. She smartly married a Veterinary Technician, who helps keep the fur kids happy and healthy, and provides a quick resource for articles.
