Today, more vets
Veterinary ALTERNATIVES
than ever are answering
for Common Conditions
public demand for
alternative care for all
“Some of the most common life-threatening ailments for dogs and cats include
kidney disease, heart disease and cancer,” explains Holistic Veterinarian Shawn
types of pets, including
Messonnier, a doctor of veterinary medicine in Plano, Texas. Like their human
physician counterparts, holistic vets are fi nding that natural modalities are impor-
birds and exotic animals.
tant tools in treating these conditions. Consider the following comparisons.
holistic approach bought us another
Cancer
Conventional medicine. Depending on the type of cancer and its location, surgery
two-and-a-half wonderful years with
may or may not be used to remove the tumor(s). Radiation, chemotherapy or both
Tiffany—and that’s a lot better than two
may also be included.
months.”
Holistic medicine. The best defense against most types of cancer is a strong im-
mune system. However, depending on the type and location of the cancer, as
Complementary Avenues well as the animal’s general condition, surgery, radiation or chemotherapy may
for Healing
or may not be used initially to remove or kill cancerous cells. Regardless, nutri-
tional changes offer additional support. For example, decreasing carbohydrates
Over the last decade, the U.S. medical
can “starve” cancer cells (glucose is a cancer cell’s favorite fuel) and increasing
community has slowly begun to recog-
omega-3 fatty acids can inhibit the formation and spread of cancers and guard
nize the importance of alternative and against wasting. Antioxidants and immune system-enhancing herbs, such as the
complementary therapies. Now, the
antimicrobials garlic (Allium sativum) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) are
same process is under way in veterinary
other options for ongoing treatment and protection against the toxic effects of
healthcare, explains Allen Schoen, a
conventional treatments.
doctor of veterinary medicine and pio-
neer in integrative veterinary medicine,
Kidney Disease
who has authored Kindred Spirits: How
Conventional medicine. Treatment generally consists of dietary changes, such
the Remarkable Bond Between Humans
as reducing protein, phosphorus and sodium, while increasing B vitamins and
and Animals Can Change the Way We omega-3 fatty acids. Additional options include increasing subcutaneous or intra-
Live. Veterinary medicine looks very dif-
venous fl uids, as well as pharmaceuticals to relieve vomiting from uremic toxin
ferent than it did in 1982, when Carvel
overload.
Tiekert, a doctor of veterinary medicine, Holistic medicine. Dietary changes and additional fl uids form the treatment
founded the American Holistic Veteri-
base, but many alternative therapies also may help, such as the herbs astraga-
nary Medical Association (AHVMA).
lus (Astragalus membranaceus) to improve kidney circulation; dandelion leaf
Today, more vets than ever are answer-
(Taraxacum offi cinale) for anti-infl ammatory activity and waste elimination; echi-
ing public demand for alternative care
nacea (Echinacea purpurea) for its immune-stimulating and antimicrobial effects;
and garlic (Allium sativum) to increase detoxifi cation enzymes and for its antimi-
for all types of pets, including birds and
crobial activity. Homeopathic remedies such as Silicea to boost stamina or Thuja
exotic animals.
occidentalis for urinary tract infections may offer additional support.
“Membership in AHVMA has in-
creased 35 percent in the last 10 years,”
says Tiekert, now the organization’s ex-
Heart Disease
ecutive director. He adds that AHVMA
Conventional medicine. Besides dietary recommendations and exercise, there’s
has spawned a number of medical
virtually nothing in conventional veterinary medicine to address heart disease.
specialty groups, such as the Academy
It’s not until the condition progresses to heart failure that conventional drugs such
as ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, diuretics and calcium channel blockers become
of Veterinary Homeopathy, the Ameri-
helpful.
can Veterinary Chiropractic Association
and the Veterinary Botanical Medicine
Holistic medicine. In contrast, earlier is better for treating heart disease with al-
ternative therapies such as the herb, hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha), shown
Association.
to both strengthen the heart and stabilize it against arrhythmias. Other homeo-
So, what’s driving the increased ac-
pathic remedies include Adonis vernalis to strengthen heart contractions and
ceptance of complementary approaches Strophanthus hispidus to tone heart muscle (both remedies are purported to help
to pet care? As is true for people, some-
remove excess fl uid, as well). Carnitine and taurine amino acid supplements also
times no conventional treatments exist
may be benefi cial, because defi ciencies of both have been linked to dilated car-
for an animal’s condition. For example,
diomyopathy (congestive heart failure).
explains Messonnier, he
and others have found that
Sources: Shawn Messonnier, doctor of veterinary medicine; and The Natural
leaky gut syndrome, which
Health Bible for Dogs and Cats: Your A-Z Guide to Over 200 Conditions, Herbs,
is common, but not often
Vitamins and Supplements by Shawn Messonnier. Adapted with the author’s
permission.
March 2009
27
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