Complementary, or Alternative, Veterinary Medicine - Holistic Care for your Animal

Complementary, alternative or holistic medicine is a general term for the many natural forms of medicine that exist separately from conventional, western medicine. Complementary therapies therefore include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, western herbal medicine, Bach flower therapy, chiropractic, aromatherapy, homeopathy, reflexology and more.

Most practitioners prefer the term 'complementary', to 'alternative', as trained professionals in complementary medicine are not rejecting conventional medicine, but rather seeking to provide another option in areas where conventional medical treatment is lacking. These professionals fully realize that there are many conditions where modern medical and surgical advances are essential to save lives, however, there are other cases where despite the best of conventional medicine, a patient's quality of life is low. An example of this would be arthritis - many people and animals live lives of pain, as their arthritis medications do not provide sufficient pain relief. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can relieve this pain, allowing a reduction in the necessary drug dose.

Holistic medicine means that the whole body, including all seemingly unrelated symptoms, as well as personal and medical history, are considered in coming to a diagnosis. The body is treated as a whole, rather than just a single disease. Treatments work with the body, helping the body heal itself, rather than simply treating the symptoms of the disease.

Acupuncture is part of the ancient system of Chinese medicine, and is over 4000 years old. It is one of the oldest medical systems in the world, and also one of the most commonly used. The Chinese discovered that insertion of needles at certain points on the body had beneficial effects in treatment of illness. According to acupuncture theory, the insertion of needles at acupuncture points manipulates the flow of energy in the body and has effects on the internal organs.

Each acupuncture point has specific properties, and the art of acupuncture is in putting together a 'point formula' for the individual patient. Chinese medical diagnosis is complex and takes into account all aspects of the animal. Study of the tongue and pulse are particularly important - there are over 20 different possible types of pulse! Generally, around 10 acupuncture points are treated per session, and formulas with fewer, well-chosen points are more effective than needling all the points that may possibly help.

There is a lot of published research on acupuncture, which proves its effects, especially in relief of pain. Acupuncture is a safe and effective therapy, when performed by a properly trained practitioner. Acupuncture needles are only a fraction of a millimeter wide, many times narrower than a hypodermic. It is not generally painful, so is well tolerated by 95% of patients.

For more information on acupuncture for animals, please visit my Veterinary Acupuncture Lens.

Much research has documented acupuncture's pain-relieving effects. Acupuncture is therefore very useful in the treatment of chronic, painful conditions such as arthritis. Acupuncture is typically used for disorders affecting the function of a body organ or system. For more information on what conditions can benefit from acupunture, please visit my Veterinary Acupuncture lens.

These professional institutes train and certify veterinarians in acupuncture, and have lists of certified veterinary acupuncturists searchable by location:

- International Veterinary Acupuncture Society
- Chi Institute of Chinese Veterinary Medicine

Chinese herbal medicine is another branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine, developed thousands of years ago by the Chinese. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine used plant, animal and mineral parts in complex formulas. Today, due to concerns about animal welfare and endangered species, only formulas without animal parts are used by veterinary herbalists in the West. Plant and mineral substitutes have been found for animal parts. It is suitable for many internal medical conditions and to aid healing of traumatic injuries.

Herbs are classified in several ways in Chinese medicine: according to taste, temperature and meridians of action. Taste means the flavor of the herb, such as bitter or sweet. Each flavor is associated with certain effects on the body. Temperature means the effect on the body - herbs can warm or cool the body, or be energetically neutral. In Chinese medicine, there are twelve energy channels (meridians) which course over the body. Each meridian is associated with an organ. Each herb is associated with a meridian, and therefore an organ.

The herbs are combined in formulas so that their effects are balanced, and used properly, it is a very safe and gentle form of therapy. Many formulas, known as 'classical' formulas, have been in use for hundreds, if not thousands, or years. There are therefore very good records of their actions and effects. Other formulas have been developed more recently, to treat specific modern conditions.

Herbs are given to animals as pills or powders, which are sprinkled on their food. They are generally very well accepted by animals, and horses will often eat the food with the herbs on first! The herbs need to be given for at least 2-4 weeks to see effects.

Many internal medical conditions can benefit from Chinese herbal medicine. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine work synergistically together, and many practitioners will use both for maximum benefit for the animal.

There are several organizations that train and certfiy veterinarians in Chinese herbal veterinary medicine. Certified vets will use the initials CVH, certified veterinary herbalist, after their names. The Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine has lists of certified veterinarians worldwide. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society has run certification courses in the past, and this year the courses are resuming.

Chiropractic therapy focuses on the musculoskeletal system (particularly the spine) and its relationship to the nervous system. In chiropractic medicine, if the musculoskeletal system and spine are correctly aligned and balanced, the nervous system will be able to function properly and allow the body to heal. Back pain and lameness commonly result from the spine being out of alignment, and if this is corrected, the pain and lameness will be relieved. Pain medications in conventional medicine may relieve the pain, but will not bring the spine back into alignment, so will not solve the problem. Chiropractic therefore provides a drug-free way to treat these conditions.

However, chiropractic for animals is one of the more controversial complementary veterinary therapies. There is the potential to injure the animal with inappropriate force or techniques applied to the back. However, the likelihood of this can be minimized by only choosing a trained and experienced chiropractor. Studies have shown that animals do benefit from chiropractic, but more research is needed.

Currently, both veterinarians and human chiropractors can become certified in animal chiropractic. Regulations vary, but in some US states any non-veterinarian must be supervised by a veterinarian while performing chiropractic.

Chiropractic therapy helps musculoskeletal and back problems, causing symptoms including:

- back pain
- loss of performance in competition horses
- behavioral issues in horses related to back problems (such as bucking, reluctance to jump, 'cold back', intolerance of the saddle or rider)

Search by worldwide location for a veterinarian or doctor of chiropractic certified in animal chiropractic at the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association website.

Homeopathic medicine was developed by Samuel Hahnemann in the 19th century. It is based on the principle that 'like cures like' ('Similimum similibus curantur' in Latin), which was first discovered by Hippocrates in 400BC. This means that if a substance causes specific symptoms when given to a healthy person, if it is given to a person already suffering from those symptoms, they will be cured, as the body will be able to heal itself. However, if there is a chronic condition that has changed the structure of the body (for example cancer, or advanced arthritis), there will not be complete healing.

Homeopathic medicines are made from parts of a plants, animals (for example venoms) or minerals, and there are several thousand. As with other forms of holistic medicine, all the patient's symptoms, history and behavior are considered when making a diagnosis. A complex process of 'potentization' is used to derive a homeopathic medicine from a plant, animal or mineral substance. During this process, the substance is progressively diluted, and in the final medicine, there is actually very little or none of the original substance detectable. It is theorized that the substance in some way changed the liquid it is diluted in. Contrary to what would seem logical, the medicine (called a remedy) actually becomes more potent, the more that it is diluted. This has led to controversy, and some say that homeopathy is just a placebo. However, its effects on animals show that it does have benefits, as there is no placebo effect in animals - an animal will not think it will get better, just because its owner made it take some pills!

Homeopathic remedies are generally administered to animals as tiny pills, and so are usually not difficult to give to your animal. The symptoms may initially worsen, but this is a good sign, indicating that the animal's body is responding to the remedy. Recovery will then occur in days to months, and will take longer, the longer the animal has had the condition for. As the body heals, old symptoms may temporarily reappear, in the opposite order to when the animal first became sick. This is another good sign, as it shows the body is healing itself of old problems that did not previously resolve.

Homeopathy can treat a whole spectrum of conditions, ranging from minor illnesses to chronic, life-threatening conditions. The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy states that conditions including 'skin allergies, ear infections, asthma, diabetes,inflammatory bowel disease, epilepsy (and) thyroid disease' respond well to homeopathy.

The Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy maintains lists of certified veterinarians. Click here to search by location.

Bach flower therapy was developed by Dr Edward Bach, a British doctor. Through his practice, he came to believe that diseases are the result of long-term negative emotions, as these emotions take a physical toll on the body, therefore causing illness. He reasoned that if these negative emotions could be treated, the illness could be prevented. With a calm mind and positive emotions restored, the body could heal itself.

Bach flower essences are made by making an infusion of the flower and spring water. Alcohol is added as a preservative. There are 38 different flower essences, and these are used to treat different emotional disturbances and imbalances, for example anger, fear and depression. It is undeniable that animals experience these feelings, and therefore Bach flower essences can be used to treat animals. Each flower essence is used for different emotional states, and will only work if the person or animal it is administered to is really suffering from that specific emotional imbalance. Only a few drops of the essence are necessary for each dose, and ideally, treatment should be given 3-4 times a day.

The best known Bach flower essence is Rescue Remedy. This is actually a blend of 5 flower essences - Star of Bethlehem, Impatiens, Cherry Plum, Rock Rose and Clematis. It is used for trauma, shock, fear and stress, and calms, while also bringing mental alertness, clarity and courage. It can be purchased in drug stores, and administered to an animal via a few drops in water, on a treat or directly in the mouth. Many holistic veterinarians use Rescue Remedy to calm an animal who is nervous of being in the office, and it is also great as part of treatment for separation anxiety or stress during traveling. It can also calm hyperactive animals and comfort young animals going to a new home. Rescue Remedy is safe and there are no side effects.