Holistic Alternatives for Pets

You may ask, what does the term ‘holistic’ mean? The word holistic is derived from the word ‘whole’. Holistic veterinary medicine, therefore, refers to the treatment of the whole organism rather than the treatment of individual body parts or simply the removal of symptoms. Under the heading of holistic veterinary medicine are many modalities including acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic, homeopathy, Chinese herbs, Western herbs, flower essences, energy healing modalities such as Reiki, applied kinesiology, magnetic therapy and nutrition.

Holistic alternatives are more readily available for pets than in the recent past and their use is growing in popularity among many veterinarians. Holistic alternatives can be used as complimentary therapies in conjunction with your pet’s regular veterinary care. For example, if your pet has a broken leg your veterinarian would need to do surgery to repair the break. In addition, a holistic therapy could also be used to help speed the healing process and decrease the amount of pain and inflammation that would accompany a broken leg. This is how traditional veterinary care and holistic veterinary medicine are used to complement one another to the benefit of an animal’s health.

The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association’s web site, www.holisticvetlist.com, is a great resource to locate a veterinarian in your area that is certified in holistic modalities. I would recommend seeking holistic alternatives for your pets in addition to any traditional treatments that are available.