diagnosed by conventional veterinarians, responds well to
probiotics and the amino acid glutamine—just as it does for
humans.
Many consumers also believe that natural therapies are
safer for their animal companions than conventional ones.
“Birds are very sensitive and
Consider the fi rst-line conventional treatments for osteo-ar-
thritis, a condition that usually affects older animals and of-
emotional, so it’s not surprising that up
ten manifests as stiffness, limping or diffi culty rising or lying
to 80 percent of the health conditions
down. Vets often prescribe corticosteroids and anti-infl am-
matories. Based on his experience, Messonnier cautions that I see are behaviorally or emotionally
both can have potentially nasty side effects, such as diabetes,
Cushing’s disease, liver and kidney disease and gastroin-
based,” explains Lankenau, from
testinal ulcers. On the other hand, he notes, glucosamine
hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate are research-supported
her veterinary clinic in
and can offer effective and safe natural alternatives for pets,
Colden, New York.
as well as people.
But in opting for alternatives, don’t throw the puppy out
with the bathwater. If an animal has been hit by a car or fac-
be effective.
es some other emergency, conventional medicine is still your
best bet, says Integrative Veterinarian Robert Silver, a doctor
of veterinary medicine and founder and medical director of
A Cockatoo Named Jaffa
Boulder’s Natural Animal, in Boulder, Colorado.
Birds and other more exotic pets can benefi t from natural
“You determine the most important thing to do fi rst, but
therapies, too. In 1995, when Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
then reassess as you go along. Often, that means using con-
Cynthia Lankenau fi rst met Jaffa, a sulfur-crested cockatoo,
ventional treatment to get through the emergency, and then
she was deeply saddened by the bird’s condition. Jaffa’s grief
including natural therapies for long-term support and recov-
over the death of her fi rst human companion had led to seri-
ery,” Silver advises. For example, surgery may be required to
ous feather picking and self-mutilation.
repair a fracture or a large laceration, but once the immedi-
“Birds are very sensitive and emotional, so it’s not sur-
ate crisis is over, alternative treatments, such as acupuncture
prising that up to 80 percent of the health conditions I see
for pain management or herbs to reduce infl ammation can
are behaviorally or emotionally based,” explains Lankenau,
from her clinic in Colden, New York.
In Jaffa’s case, too many hours left alone, too many emo-
tional upheavals and an undetected food allergy had caused
the bird to pluck out many of her own feathers and tear at
her fl esh, resulting in a crusty sore that covered her entire
chest. Her new caretaker did her best to help, using many
conventional treatments, such as antibiotics and a cone over
Jaffa’s head, but all had dismal results.
Lankenau fi rst treated Jaffa with acupuncture (birds
respond especially well to acupuncture, she says) and the
homeopathic remedies Pulsatilla and Natrum muriaticum.
Just a few months later, Jaffa had allowed her feathers to fi ll
in and her chest ulcer had shrunk to the size of a nickel.
Unfortunately, Lankenau didn’t see Jaffa again for nine years.
This time, she was in even worse shape and was scheduled
to be put down. Her whole chest was once again an open
sore and she had plucked out all of her vent and fl ight feath-
ers.
“Her owner had many emotional traumas in her life and
very little time to devote to Jaffa,” Lankenau explains, “so we
decided Jaffa should come live with me.”
After more homeopathy, nutritional supplements and
dietary changes to address her allergy, Jaffa became a brand-
new bird, contentedly spending her days either riding around
on Lankenau’s shoulder during veterinary client visits or chat-
ting with offi ce staff. “It’s a big commitment to care for one of
these birds,” Lankenau says. “These creatures are worth the
effort, though,” she adds. “Even when things were the worst,
Jaffa was always very kind and loving. She gave great bird
28 Oakland, Macomb, Livingston & St. Clair, MI
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