naturalpet Holistic is Best
Natural Care for a Sick Pet by Dr. Shawn Messonnier
T
he best course of action for any pet that appears to be sick is to see a holistic vet early, before a disease can progress or before the pet has been made even more ill by improper conven- tional treatment.
Downsides of Conventional
Treatment Many sick pets brought to a holistic vet’s office may not have been formally diagnosed, even if they’ve been receiv- ing medical treatment by a conventional doctor for weeks or months. In most cases, the standard blanket pre- scriptions of antibiotics and corticosteroids—regardless of the cause of illness—have failed to produce positive
results. Worse, such drugs carry side ef- fects that can make the pet even sicker; indiscriminate use of antibiotics, for ex- ample, has led to antibiotic resistance in bacteria, making it harder to treat serious infections when antibiotics are the only viable treatment option. So by the time the holistic doctor sees them, the condition of these pets may have worsened. The good news is that with precise diagnosis of the underlying issues, most sickly pets can be treated with good success. Because a holistic approach to healthcare relies on individual factors, the exact treatment will vary according to the patient and situation. A cookie-cutter treatment will not be very helpful.
Holistic Nutrition
Therapy Helps Owners can take several steps to provide relief for a suffering pet right away while awaiting the results of proper diagnostic tests. In my practice, three vet-supervised nutrition therapies have been shown to be effective in stabilizing a sick pet for the 24 to 48 hours needed to return test re- sults before the appropriate treatment can be initiated. Ask the attending veterinar- ian for other safe, comforting measures he or she likes to recommend. First, most sick pets benefit from
receiving fluid therapy (intravenous or subcutaneous) in a veterinary hospital. The fluids rehydrate and help detoxify the pet by causing increased urination that flushes out cellular toxins. Second, injectable vitamins C and B complex added to the fluids often have a temporary pick-me-up effect, re- ducing lethargy and improving appetite. Third, using supplements selected to restore homeostasis also helps make the pet feel better and encourages healthy eating. I like to use a natural immunity support I developed called Healthy Chi, which contains amino acids, potas- sium, green tea, ginseng, gotu kola and the herb astragalus. Homeopathic combinations also can be useful; I’ve developed a natural remedy combining gallium, colchicum, hydrastis, anthra- quinone and glyoxal.
Case Studies Exemplify
Success Two recent cases illustrate the benefit of an informed holistic approach. Gus, a 7-year-old male standard poodle, had a history of inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal cancer. He did well
Offering a Blend of Western & Eastern Medicine
• Acupuncture • Herbs
• Nutritional Therapy • Behavior Counseling • House Calls Available
153
1524 Mahtomedi Avenue, Mahtomedi, MN 55115 Susan M. Swanson, D.V.M.
www.HolisticCatClinic.com 24 NA Twin Cities Edition
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