ALTERNATIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE?
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ALTERNATIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE!
At Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care we don’t use the term ‘Alternative Medicine’ because what we do is first and foremost Veterinary Medicine. Unlike in the human health field where people are free to choose any form of diagnosis or treatment only a Vet can diagnose animal health problems and prescribe treatments. A small group of ‘paraprofessionals’ including Veterinary Nurses, Physiotherapists, Chiropractor and Hydrotherapists can provide treatments under Veterinary supervision.
When looking for complementary therapists for your pet walk away if they don’t ask for Veterinary referral!
CONVENTIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY
Our Vet Vicky Payne works in First Opinion General Practice as well as taking Holistic referrals so is ideally placed to advise on any conventional diagnostic tests or medicines which may benefit your pet as well as the complementary therapies we offer. All of the therapies we offer combine well with conventional medicines as well as being powerful treatments in their own right.
TRULY HOLISTIC
What Vicky offers is quite unusual in that she takes a truly holistic view of Veterinary Medicine. On recent visits, after examining animals at home she has referred them back to their First Opinion practices for radiographs, blood tests or hospital care before dispensing herbal formulas to support their recovery.
FIRST AID
INTRODUCTION TO DOG FIRST AID
Our Vet Vicky Payne will be giving a seminar on Dog First Aid at Stone Cross Memorial Hall on Sunday 28th April at 10am
Tickets are still available at only £5!
If you would like to attend please ring the organiser on 01323 643403
WELLNESS and ILLNESS
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR PET?
Most owners will answer, “I know him better than anyone!” but do you really know what is normal for your pet and would you spot early signs of illness?
Some symptoms such as coughing, limping or vomiting are easy to spot but what about more subtle changes?
INS AND OUTS…
A good pet owner will notice how their pet normally eats and drinks, and how much. Eating more slowly or becoming more hungry can be symptoms of illness. Chewing on one side of the mouth could indicate dental pain as could dribbling in small herbivores. With small pets such as hamsters check they aren’t simply storing the food and not returning to eat it. A good pet owner will also know how much their pet normally drinks. If drinking increases think about causes such as hot weather, drier food or a leaky water bottle for small pets. A great pet owner will measure water intake if they think it has increased and this information can give the vet a lot of information.
Good pet owners also monitor what comes out, taking note of how often and how much their pet urinates and noticing any changes in smell or colour. Some changes can be normal, for instance rabbit urine can turn bright orange with some foods! Good owners also observe their pets poop as consistency, frequency and even the shape can change in some illnesses. Seeing soft faeces in the rabbit hutch is a particular worry as this in uneaten caecotroph which can be a symptom of serious dental or gut disease.
Toiletting in diferent or innapropriate places can also be a sign of physical as well as behavioural problems.
BEHAVIOUR
Changes in behaviour can be the most subtle indicators of illness and wellness, especially in herbivores and cats (who can behave like a prey animal as well as being a predator).
Some behaviour changes may be very obvious, such as a dog not wanting to go for a walk or a rabbit becoming aggressive when handled but others such as a cat changing their sleeping place from the window ledge to the rug could easily be missed. Behaviour can change with medical problems as well as ‘behavioural’ problems so a check-up from your vet is advisable before embarking on any behavioural treatment or training.
Become a great pet owner and take the time to REALLY know your pet inside out!
A DAY IN THE LIFE…
WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY FOR A HOLISTIC VET?
“I’m not sure there is a typical day!” says Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care’s Vet Vicky Payne. “I work three days a week at Companion Care Vets Eastbourne which is a first opinion general practice where I will be doing vaccinations, examining sick pets, performing diagnostic work ups and doing surgery as well as any Holistic or Acupuncture referrals.
WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER DAYS LIKE?
“Thursday is a really busy day for me. I usually get up before 7 to train and exercise my dogs. I often visit a trainer near Tonbridge and combine this with doing routine health checks and vaccinations for his kennels. Then I hold a clinic at Goudhurst Vets where I see referrals from within the practice and from other practices in Kent. Today I had a lovely cat in for acupuncture. In the afternoon and evening I may have home visits as well, but not today.”
“The rest of the week will be taken up with a mixture of home visits and paperwork. I write for magazines including Your Dog magazine and give veterinary advice on several internet forums. I may also be preparing for First Aid talks or other lectures.”
SOUNDS BUSY! DO YOU GET ANY TIME OFF?!
“Oh yes! Clients often request visits after work which I am happy to offer and this allows me time off in the day to exercise and train my dogs.” Vicky has three English Springer Spaniels to keep her on her toes.
“I’m also lucky enough to ride a friends horse in the summer; that really is a great way to relax. ”
If you want to keep our Vet busy, busy, busy contact us to make an appointment!
GOOD NEWS!
PET PLAN AWARDS
We’ve just heard that Companion Care Vets Eastbourne was nominated for the Pet Plan Veterinary Practice of the Year. They didn’t make the finals this time but we are very proud to be involved with an award nominated practice!
Out vet Vicky sees pets of all kinds at Companion Care Eastbourne for routine and emergency healthcare as well as for herbal medicine and acupuncture.
FIRST AID FOR YOUR DOG
DO YOU KNOW DOG FIRST AID?
On Tuesday evening our Vet Vicky Payne was invited to give an evening talk on First Aid for Dogs by Little Dale Dogs, a local dog day care and training centre.
With the aid of her canine assistant Quincy the English Springer she gave the group an overview of common dog emergencies and how to deal with them. She also discussed how to avoid common emergencies and gave tips on dog care.
WHAT’S IN YOUR DOG FIRST AID KIT?
What do you mean, “What Dog First Aid Kit?!”. Anyone who goes out walking with a dog should carry some basic bandaging materials, a mobile phone and their vets phone number in their pocket. A human first aid kit is a good start but include some cohesive bandage (e.g. Vetwrap) and something to make an emergency muzzle.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DOG FIRST AID?
Vicky is occasionally asked to give talks on First Aid in the local area and we will publish details on this site. She also runs half day and full day courses across the country. If you have a dog club who would be interested in any of our First Aid presentations please get in touch.
ACUPUNCTURE FOR CATS!
IS YOUR CAT IN PAIN?
Cats are wonderfully secretive creatures and are experts at hiding the symptoms of chronic pain from their owners.
I’m sure most cat owners would notice an obvious limp but how about these more subtle signs?
- Long, brittle claws; cats need to be able to stretch out to scratch their claws properly.
- Changes to behaviour or routine; reduced mobility may mean your cat sleeps in different places and pain may mean she sleeps for more hours a day.
- Dull, scruffy, matted coat; if a cat can’t groom herself properly the coat soon suffers.
- Reduced activity; owners may notice their cats can’t jump on and off furniture or don’t want to hunt or play.
I think my cat is in pain! What can I do?
Visit your Primary Care Vet to get your cat checked out. Be prepared for your Vet to take blood to check her kidney function and for hyperthyroidism which can cause similar symptoms.
Your Vet may then prescribe pain relieving medication or…
Acupuncture for cats!
YES! Acupuncture works really well for cats and is well tolerated by the majority with no side-effects.
Cats seem especially sensitive to the effects of acupuncture and usually respond to a small number of needles. Most relax and enjoy a good chin tickle for the 10-15minute session.
For more information or for referral first speak to your Primary care Vet then call us on 07958 142959 or email health@holisticvetsussex.co.uk
HERBS FOR OLDER DOGS
Keeping old dogs mobile!
Our vet Vicky Payne did a presentation for Veterinary Chiropractors on Friday night.
She talked mostly about how herbs can be used in older dogs with a focus on mobility.
Herbs for arthritis…
Vicky presented four different cases showing how herbs could be used alone for arthritis in dogs, combined with conventional medications, used in more serious conditions like bone tumours and some pitfalls when owners decide to go it alone. The talk went down well and maybe some more vets will be adding herbal medicine to the range of treatments they offer.
Does you dog have arthritis?
If your pet has mobility problems and you would like to know if herbal medicine could help then please contact us!
(Remember we will need referral from your First Opinion Vet if you decide to go ahead with treatment.)