What are Holistic Veterinarians
By Kat Yares
Just as there are many alternative therapies for human illness, veterinary medicine also has its holistic equivalent. Holistic veterinarians use herbal, homeopathic, chiropractic and other more natural medicines and practices to care for the animals that they see.
Most holistic veterinarians do not totally avoid traditional medicines when called for, but are far more likely to attempt a natural cure first. The belief of a holistic vet is that illness is a sign of imbalance and when balance is restored, health is achieved.
A holistic veterinarian will consider all aspects of the animal's environment including diet, exercise and general lifestyle patterns.
Unlike many alternative health practitioners for humans, most holistic veterinarians are trained in many different practices. From that training, they choose the form of treatment they feel is best for their animal patient.
Herbal remedies or chiropractic therapy is generally the first treatment attempted. If those fail, the vet may move on to acupuncture, homeopathy, magnetic therapy or other alternatives. If the illness or injury is life threatening, they will use a more traditional form of treatment, including surgery or prescription drugs.
Animals appear to respond well to holistic medicine. This may be because of the treatment itself or may be due to the additional touch and attention involved.
When searching for a vet that practices holistic medicine, it is important that you choose one who is licensed as a traditional veterinarian. Almost any one can be a holistic practitioner for animals, but the well being of your pet is too important to rely on anyone but a certified professional.
To find a holistic veterinarian near you, consult with friends, check your local yellow pages or go online and type 'holistic veterinary medicine' into any search engine. There are many organizations dedicated to the practice of natural medicine for pets and will help you locate a practitioner near you.
