Veterinary ALTERNATIVES
for people, sometimes no conventional treatments
exist for an animal’s condition. For example, explains
for Common Conditions
Messonnier, he and others have found that leaky gut
syndrome, which is common, but not often diagnosed by
“Some of the most common life-threatening ailments for dogs and
conventional veterinarians, responds well to probiotics
cats include kidney disease, heart disease and cancer,” explains
Holistic Veterinarian Shawn Messonnier, a doctor of veterinary
and the amino acid glutamine—just as it does for
medicine in Plano, Texas. Like their human physician counterparts,
humans.
holistic vets are fi nding that natural modalities are important tools Many consumers also believe that natural therapies
in treating these conditions. Consider the following comparisons.
are safer for their animal companions than conventional
Cancer
ones. Consider the fi rst-line conventional treatments
Conventional medicine. Depending on the type of cancer and its
for osteo-arthritis, a condition that usually affects older
location, surgery may or may not be used to remove the tumor(s). animals and often manifests as stiffness, limping or
Radiation, chemotherapy or both may also be included.
diffi culty rising or lying down. Vets often prescribe
Holistic medicine. The best defense against most types of cancer is corticosteroids and anti-infl ammatories. Based on his
a strong immune system. However, depending on the type and lo-
experience, Messonnier cautions that both can have
cation of the cancer, as well as the animal’s general condition, sur-
potentially nasty side effects, such as diabetes, Cushing’s
gery, radiation or chemotherapy may or may not be used initially
to remove or kill cancerous cells. Regardless, nutritional changes
disease, liver and kidney disease and gastrointestinal
offer additional support. For example, decreasing carbohydrates
ulcers. On the other hand, he notes, glucosamine
can “starve” cancer cells (glucose is a cancer cell’s favorite fuel)
hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate are research-
and increasing omega-3 fatty acids can inhibit the formation and supported and can offer effective and safe natural
spread of cancers and guard against wasting. Antioxidants and im-
alternatives for pets, as well as people.
mune system-enhancing herbs, such as the antimicrobials garlic
But in opting for alternatives, don’t throw the puppy
(Allium sativum) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) are other
options for ongoing treatment and protection against the toxic ef-
out with the bathwater. If an animal has been hit by a car
fects of conventional treatments.
or faces some other emergency, conventional medicine
is still your best bet, says Integrative Veterinarian Robert
Kidney Disease Silver, a doctor of veterinary medicine and founder and
Conventional medicine. Treatment generally consists of dietary
medical director of Boulder’s Natural Animal, in Boulder,
changes, such as reducing protein, phosphorus and sodium, while
Colorado.
increasing B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Additional options
include increasing subcutaneous or intravenous fl uids, as well as
“You determine the most important thing to do fi rst, but
pharmaceuticals to relieve vomiting from uremic toxin overload.
then reassess as you go along. Often, that means using
Holistic medicine. Dietary changes and additional fl uids form the
conventional treatment to get through the emergency, and
treatment base, but many alternative therapies also may help, such
then including natural therapies for long-term support and
as the herbs astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) to improve
recovery,” Silver advises. For example, surgery may be
kidney circulation; dandelion leaf (Taraxacum offi cinale) for anti- required to repair a fracture or a large laceration, but once
infl ammatory activity and waste elimination; echinacea (Echinacea
the immediate crisis is over, alternative treatments, such
purpurea) for its immune-stimulating and antimicrobial effects; and
as acupuncture for pain management or herbs to reduce
garlic (Allium sativum) to increase detoxifi cation enzymes and for
its antimicrobial activity. Homeopathic remedies such as Silicea to
infl ammation can be effective.
boost stamina or Thuja occidentalis for urinary tract infections may
offer additional support.
A Cockatoo Named Jaffa
Heart Disease
Birds and other more exotic pets can benefi t from natural
Conventional medicine. Besides dietary recommendations and
therapies, too. In 1995, when Doctor of Veterinary
exercise, there’s virtually nothing in conventional veterinary medi-
Medicine Cynthia Lankenau fi rst met Jaffa, a sulfur-
cine to address heart disease. It’s not until the condition progresses crested cockatoo, she was deeply saddened by the bird’s
to heart failure that conventional drugs such as ACE inhibitors, beta
condition. Jaffa’s grief over the death of her fi rst human
blockers, diuretics and calcium channel blockers become helpful.
companion had led to serious feather picking and self-
Holistic medicine. In contrast, earlier is better for treating heart
mutilation.
disease with alternative therapies such as the herb, hawthorn
“Birds are very sensitive and emotional, so it’s not
(Crataegus oxyacantha), shown to both strengthen the heart and
surprising that up to 80 percent of the health conditions
stabilize it against arrhythmias. Other homeopathic remedies
include Adonis vernalis to strengthen heart contractions and
I see are behaviorally or emotionally based,” explains
Strophanthus hispidus to tone heart muscle (both remedies are
Lankenau, from her clinic in Colden, New York.
purported to help remove excess fl uid, as well). Carnitine and In Jaffa’s case, too many hours left alone, too many
taurine amino acid supplements also may be benefi cial, because
emotional upheavals and an undetected food allergy
defi ciencies of both have been linked to dilated cardiomyopathy
had caused the bird to pluck out many of her own
(congestive heart failure).
feathers and tear at her fl esh, resulting in a crusty sore
that covered her entire chest. Her new caretaker did her
Sources: Shawn Messonnier, doctor of veterinary medicine; and
best to help, using many conventional treatments, such
The Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats: Your A-Z Guide to
Over 200 Conditions, Herbs, Vitamins and Supplements by Shawn
as antibiotics and a cone over Jaffa’s head, but all had
Messonnier. Adapted with the author’s permission.
dismal results.
32
Brevard/Indian River
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