years with me, she enjoyed a healthy and
contented quality of life.” Veterinary AlternAtiVes
for Common Conditions
Two Paws Up
for Holistic Approach
Many pet lovers can be classified as
“Some of the most common life-threatening ailments for dogs and cats include
either dog people or cat people. Ann
kidney disease, heart disease and cancer,” explains Holistic Veterinarian Shawn
Messonnier, a doctor of veterinary medicine in Plano, Texas. Like their human
Huey definitely falls in the cat-loving
physician counterparts, holistic vets are finding that natural modalities are impor-
category and feels she owes a great
tant tools in treating these conditions. Consider the following comparisons.
deal to holistic vet care. Huey’s gentle,
3-year-old tortoiseshell-and-tabby cat,
Deluxie, became a running, jumping
Cancer
Conventional medicine. Depending on the type of cancer and its location, surgery
testament to the value of integrative
may or may not be used to remove the tumor(s). Radiation, chemotherapy or both
medicine. But, she wasn’t always this
may also be included.
healthy and active. Diagnosed in 2003
Holistic medicine. The best defense against most types of cancer is a strong im-
with polyarthritis (arthritis occurring in
mune system. However, depending on the type and location of the cancer, as
multiple joints), Deluxie nearly died a
well as the animal’s general condition, surgery, radiation or chemotherapy may
year later from her high daily dose of
or may not be used initially to remove or kill cancerous cells. Regardless, nutri-
prednisolone, a steroid prescribed by tional changes offer additional support. For example, decreasing carbohydrates
her veterinarian. Intended to address
can “starve” cancer cells (glucose is a cancer cell’s favorite fuel) and increasing
the pain and inflammation associated
omega-3 fatty acids can inhibit the formation and spread of cancers and guard
with her condition, the drug initially
against wasting. Antioxidants and immune system-enhancing herbs, such as the
antimicrobials garlic (Allium sativum) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) are
gave Deluxie a much-needed re-
other options for ongoing treatment and protection against the toxic effects of
prieve, Huey says. Yet, after a few short
conventional treatments.
months, low dosages were no longer
helping and the increasing dosages
took their toll. Kidney Disease
In horror, Huey watched as Delux-
Conventional medicine. Treatment generally consists of dietary changes, such
ie found it harder and harder to move.
as reducing protein, phosphorus and sodium, while increasing B vitamins and
Then, her previously alert ears started
omega-3 fatty acids. Additional options include increasing subcutaneous or intra-
venous fluids, as well as pharmaceuticals to relieve vomiting from uremic toxin
drooping, a sign that the steroid was
overload.
causing the cat’s tissues to degenerate.
When a veterinary technician picked
Holistic medicine. Dietary changes and additional fluids form the treatment
base, but many alternative therapies also may help, such as the herbs astrag-
Deluxie up to do a routine blood draw,
alus (Astragalus membranaceus) to improve kidney circulation; dandelion leaf
her skin literally ripped. Huey knew
(Taraxacum officinale) for anti-inflammatory activity and waste elimination; echi-
something had to change, and fast.
nacea (Echinacea purpurea) for its immune-stimulating and antimicrobial effects;
They tried taking Deluxie com- and garlic (Allium sativum) to increase detoxification enzymes and for its antimi-
pletely off the prednisolone on numer-
crobial activity. Homeopathic remedies such as Silicea to boost stamina or Thuja
ous occasions, but her condition im-
occidentalis for urinary tract infections may offer additional support.
mediately deteriorated each time. What
they ended up with, Huey explains,
Heart Disease
was a plan that combined a greatly
Conventional medicine. Besides dietary recommendations and exercise, there’s
reduced dose of prednisolone with
virtually nothing in conventional veterinary medicine to address heart disease.
natural therapies such as a more whole-
It’s not until the condition progresses to heart failure that conventional drugs such
some diet, an antioxidant supplement as ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, diuretics and calcium channel blockers become
and various homeopathic remedies
helpful.
directed at treating Deluxie’s arthritis
Holistic medicine. In contrast, earlier is better for treating heart disease with al-
and supporting her immune system. ternative therapies such as the herb, hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha), shown
Did the holistic plan work? Huey
to both strengthen the heart and stabilize it against arrhythmias. Other homeo-
says yes. “In only a few weeks, we got
pathic remedies include Adonis vernalis to strengthen heart contractions and
to watch Deluxie run again. She started
Strophanthus hispidus to tone heart muscle (both remedies are purported to help
remove excess fluid, as well). Carnitine and taurine amino acid supplements also
climbing trees and was even up on the
may be beneficial, because deficiencies of both have been linked to dilated car-
roof of our storage shed.”
diomyopathy (congestive heart failure).
Victoria Freeman, Ph.D., is a
Sources: Shawn Messonnier, doctor of veterinary medicine; and The Natural
freelance writer in Goodland, KS.
Health Bible for Dogs and Cats: Your A-Z Guide to Over 200 Conditions, Herbs,
Connect at
Vitamins and Supplements by Shawn Messonnier. Adapted with the author’s
VictoriaFreeman.com. permission.
March 2009March 2009 2727
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48