WHAT IS A HOLISTIC VET?
WHAT IS A HOLISTIC VET?
This week someone on an internet forum expressed surprise that our vet Vicky Payne was a Holistic vet! Vicky thinks this is because she has written in support of vaccination and against untrained people giving advice on which homepoathic or herbal remedy to buy from the internet.
WHAT IS HOLISTIC VETERINARY CARE?
For us at Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care, “Holistic” means using detailed evaluation of a pet’s diet and lifestyle as well as hands on examination and conventional diagnostic tests (sometimes including blood tests or x-rays) to achieve a diagnosis, or in many cases multiple diagnoses.
We then choose from a full range of conventional and complementary therapies to help that pet back to wellness. Therapies we use or advise include dietary changes, behaviour and lifestyle modification, acupuncture, owner performed home physio, herbal medicines and conventional medicines and surgery. In some circumstances we will also refer your pet to local physiotherapists, massage therapists or hydrotherapists for supportive care.
“Holistic” to us also means caring for a pet’s well-being from the planning of a mating, right through to the planning of end of life care and euthanasia. We are happy to advise on health testing for breeding dogs and cats, tools which can help accurately time mating for dogs, rearing and socialisation of puppies and kittens both with the breeder and after sale, as well as advising on appropriate vaccination, worming and flea treatment schedules based on sound science and a consideration of an individual pet’s risk. Many of our patients are in their Autumn years so inevitably we have to help owners with decisions surrounding palliative care, quality of life, the end of life and planning for the future.
Our passion for life-long care is why Vicky chose the name ‘Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care’.
WHAT ISN’T HOLISTIC VETERINARY CARE?
We can’t speak for other ‘Holistic’ practices but for us “Holistic” does not mean alternative (diagnosis and treatment must always be done by a vet or under veterinary supervision), homeopathic (though many practices also add this to their treatments offered), anti-vaccination, anti-conventional medicine or assisting in self diagnosis and recommending buying unregulated products.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS?
TIME FOR SOME NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS?
*Switch your pet to a species appropriate diet….that means more meat and bones for cats, dogs and ferrets and more grass and hay for rabbits and guinea pigs!
*Speak to your vet about vaccinations; if they aren’t already using a vaccine which gives three years protection against Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvo and a years protection against 85% of the most dangerous current lepto strains ask them why not!
*If you really want to reduce the vaccines your dog receives ask about testing for Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvo antibodies; a new ‘in-house’ test makes this cheaper if you can get a group of interested dog owners together.
*Work your pets minds as well as their bodies! For cats and small pets active feeding is the easiest way to stimulate them. For dogs choose games suited to your breed.
*Don’t ignore little problems. An early vet visit can lead to early diagnosis and better treatment. Complementary medicine can be particularly useful at slowing down early symptoms of disease.
ENJOYING AUTUMN
HOLISTIC HEALTH FOR AUTUMN
The nights are longer, the leaves are turning…are you getting down and snuggling up on the sofa with your pets? DON’T! Get out there are enjoy Autumn!
AUTUMNAL EXERCISE!
Most dogs LOVE Autumn….leaves to play with, cooler weather to run around and damp ground that really holds the smells of all those foraging beasties. Do take care though to ensure old or thin coated dogs are protected from really cold or wet weather using a comfy coat. Check out piles of leaves for hidden dangers before you and the dog pile into them and do some recall training to ensure your dog doesn’t go off in pursuit of wildlife or gamebirds.
Cats may not be so convinced to leave the fireside but tempt them outside for a run about with an interactive toy – try some feathers on a string.
Rabbits and guinea pigs will be ok outside for now but remember guinea pigs are from a hotter climate than rabbits so may need bringing into the house or a shed earlier. Neither like rain much so ensure their runs have shelter.
AUTUMNAL EATING!
Raw fed dogs may start to appreciate root vegetables in their food. These contain more sugars and starches which we all seem to crave in the winter. Avoid them in dogs prone to weight gain, wet skin conditions and lipomas. Try to prevent your dog tucking into fungi on walks as they may be toxic.
As cats are often less active in winter adjust their feeding to prevent obesity. And maybe introduce active feeding to get them moving more.
Check any leaves and fruits falling into rabbit or guinea pig runs are not toxic and provide scatter feeding and hay in the run when grass growth slows. Keep checking bottoms for flystrike on mild days.
AUTUMN M.O.T?
The colder weather can trigger health problems in any animal. Your pet may show increased stiffness with arthritis or a cough on cold mornings if there is an underlying lung condition. It’s a good idea to get any minor changes checked out by your vet as early diagnosis increases the treatment options, both holistic and conventional.
AUTUMN T.L.C!
The longer evenings are great for spending a bit of extra time on grooming and trick training. Grooming is especially important as burrs can get caught in the coats of longhaired dogs and cats and can cause painful sores. Training your pet (whatever type!) a new trick will help the evenings fly by and improve your bond and as studies have shown health benefits from the pet-owner bond you may even be helping to stave off winter coughs and colds!
GROOMING FOR HEALTH
GROOMING IS ESSENTIAL TO HEALTH
Grooming your pet isn’t just about making them look nice; it’s a vital part of keeping them fit and healthy. How often you groom your pet will depend on it’s coat type but every pet should have a thorough grooming session at least once a week. Daily grooming will be required for long coated pets. Less grooming may be required (or possible) for small pets such as hamsters and gerbils but they should still be handled and checked over regularly.
BENEFITS OF GROOMING
Grooming you pet can be a great bonding experience and also provides an opportunity for you to thoroughly check your pet over.
While grooming you will notice any skin changes, lump and bumps; you will feel whether your pet is getting fat or thin; you will be able to remove thorns and grass seeds before they become a problem. It will really help you know what is normal so you can seek help early when things are not normal.
Grooming removes dirt and dead skin cells from the coat. It also stimulates the circulation in the skin and spreads oils along the hair shaft which can improve the condition of the skin and coat.
Regular brushing helps the skin maintain a healthy bacterial population which reduces the risk of infection, and keeps your pet smelling sweet!
Grooming produces relaxing chemicals in the brains of both dogs and their owners (and probably other pets too) so it’s time you both should really enjoy!
BASIC GROOMING
Check the nails aren’t too long or cracked; trim if necessary.
Check between the pads of cats and dogs for balled up fur, especially if the weather has been hot (tar can melt into the fur) or cold (ice can ball up the fur) and for grass seeds in summer.
Check that the genital area is clean, dry and not smelly (especially rabbits- check daily!).
Use a comb to remove any knots, tangles and seeds from your pet’s coat. Support the skin so you don’t hurt your pet. If the knots go right to the skin either consult a groomer or slide a comb between the skin and the knot before attempting to cut the hair off.
The type of brush used on the body will vary with coat type. Zoom Groom and Furminator brushes are great while pets are moulting while a bristle brush is good for stimulating the circulation and adding a shine.
A damp cloth wiped over the fur brings out the shine on most coats and removes any scurf.
Check and clean the teeth of dogs (and maybe cats!) with a pet toothpaste. If there is lots of scale, pus or bleeding consult your vet.
Some dogs and cats benefit from regular ear cleaning too but ask your vet about the best products to use for this.
If your dog has a lot of coat consider getting it stripped or trimmed; but take advice from the groomer on the most suitable way to deal with the coat and be aware that the coat won’t be as weatherproof if clipped.
Bathing is sometimes required but should be kept to a minimum in a healthy pet as it can strip the oils from the coat.
WHO IS TREATING YOUR PET?
BEFORE SEEKING ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR YOUR PET READ THIS!
Anyone can treat humans, as long as they don’t lie about their qualifications or make untrue claims….so, if you want to try and cure your illness with Holy Water or crystals we’re not going to stop you.
BUT…the same is not true for your pets. As pets can not speak (in a conventional way anyway!) and can’t give consent for treatment the law tries to protect them by restricting the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases to qualified Veterinary Surgeons who are members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (they have MRCVS after their name). This ensures people diagnosing and treating animals are properly trained to do so and sets out rigorous standards for daily practice and continuing training.
So, when you pet is unwell your first port of call should always be your vet.
BUT MY VET WANTS TO USE ANTIBIOTICS AND OTHER DRUGS AND I WANT A MORE NATURAL APPROACH
Just ask! In most cases conventional diagnostic techniques ranging from palpation and listening with a stethoscope right up to blood tests and x-rays may be needed to reach a diagnosis. But once you have a diagnosis, or at least a few possible diagnoses, you can discuss a whole range of treatment options with your vet. Whilst drugs may be the treatment you primary care vet is most familiar with they will be able to refer you to a vet trained in complementary therapies or to a paraprofessional such as a hydrotherapist, physio or massage therapist.
Going through your Primary Care Vet ensures that your dog is only treated by well trained, qualified and regulated practitioners and that they are aware of any medicines or illnesses which may affect their choice of treatment. It also ensures your vet knows what treatments your pet is receiving as some herbs can interfere with drugs used in emergencies or increase the risk of complications such as bleeding during surgery. No complementary practitioner should treat your pet without referral from your Primary Care Vet!
I VISIT A HOLISTIC PRACTITIONER MYSELF. HE’S SUGGESTED SOME TABLETS FOR MY DOG. THAT’S OK ISN’T IT?
Not really. herbs may have different effects in animals than they do in people. Cats are particularly sensitive to those containing salicylates or essential oils. Different dose rates are also required for pets compared to people. Added to this your practitioner hasn’t seen the pet and is not trained in diagnosing ill health in animals! By using an over the counter treatment for the wrong condition you may be delaying getting a proper diagnosis while the condition gets worse.
It is always better to see a vet trained in complementary therapies and holistic diagnosis to ensure a) the condition is correctly diagnosed and b) the correct treatment at a safe and effective dose is prescribed. If there is no suitable vet local to you it may be possible for your vet to work with a human trained practitioner or to obtain telephone advice from a holistic vet.
DENTAL DILEMMA
NATURAL DENTAL CARE FOR DOGS
In recent years many owners have realised that by giving their dogs bones to chew they can reduce the amount of plaque and tartar that build up without resorting to tooth brushing.
Chewing on bones also satisfies the dogs natural urge to chew meaning less damage to furniture and shoes and less begging behaviour compared to dogs that quickly gulp down a bowl of kibble.
For dogs that get upset stomachs on bones we have suggested plastic chew toys such as Nylabones or Stag bars made from deer antler and loved by many dogs.
DENTAL CHEW DANGER
HowEver all is not well… some high profile Veterinary Dentists have written in the Veterinary Press about the large number of dogs they are seeing with broken teeth from chewing on bones, stag bars and hard plastic toys and they are calling on owners to only use dental chews or to brush teeth.
SAFE NATURAL DENTAL CARE FOR DOGS
At Four Seasons we see more benefits to using bones for your dog than risks BUT you must take care to choose the right type and size of bone or antler chew for your dog.
We only recommend raw bones, never cooked bones which are harder leading to a higher risk of splintering or tooth fractures. We do not recommend the weight bearing bones (legs bones) as these are of a similar density to teeth, again increasing the risk of fractures. We do recommend necks, spines, ribs, shoulders and pelvic bones as well as chicken and rabbit carcass. These bones have a thin outer cortex which can easily be chomped through by your dog.
If using stag bars or dental toys choose ones of an appropriate size for your dog. Don’t choose over large ones hoping they will last longer.
Always supervise your dog when chewing on bones, toys or stag bars.
Tooth fracture will always remain a risk, but we see more broken teeth from car accidents and chewing or catching stones than from bones and more dental disease caused by thick layers of plaque and tartar then broken teeth!
Chew safe!
FEELING HOT, HOT, HOT
IT’S FINALLY SUMMER!
After a long winter and slow spring it seems summer has arrived in the UK, if only for a few days so time for a few small pointers on helping your pets cope!
TOO HOT FOR WALKIES?
Although getting out and about is essential for your dogs mental and physical wellbeing don’t overdo it in the sun! Take extra care if your dog has health problems, is overweight, has a heavy coat or a short nose.
Walk when it’s cooler, choose shady woodland or a breezy beach or swap walks for brain teasing back garden games such as bobbing for toys and treats in a large bucket or paddling pool!
COOL TREATS
Both dogs and cats love playing with food stuffed Kong toys all year round but in the warm weather make them a Kong ice-pop. Use any ingredient they would normally eat or make up some salt free chicken stock then freeze and serve.
CHILL OUT TIME
Make sure your small pets have plenty of shade too and remember to apply pet-safe suncream to any pets with pink areas of skin. Just like humans they can get sunburn and skin cancer!
WHAT WE LEARNED AT CHELSEA
VICKY OUR VET HAS BEEN TO CHELSEA…
So what was your Holistic Vet doing at the Chelsea Flower Show? Well, as you can imagine a vet who works with herbs also likes gardening and took a day off to visit arguably the World’s most famous flower show.
Vicky was really impressed to see many of the gardens using wild flowers and culinary and medicinal herbs with one of the Artisan gardens having a natural apothecary theme. But on the whole the gardens didn’t look like a place to relax with your pets and few had any lawn for playing or grazing.
SO WHAT’S IN IT FOR OUR PETS?
Chelsea show gardens aren’t very pet friendly on the whole but Vicky did pick up a catalogue from a company who make seed mixes specifically for pets! Not only the pets you may think of such as rabbits and guinea pigs but also fresh food for hamsters, cats, dogs, cage and aviary birds and tortoises as well as wildlife mixes.
GARDENS FOR PETS
Vicky thinks you can have a beautiful garden AND a pet friendly garden at the same time (she thinks hers ticks both boxes anyway) and that access to a garden can be important to your pets health. Cats can scratch, climb and hunt; dogs can sniff, dig and roll and rabbits and guinea pigs can forage and run. Proud gardeners should make special digging pits and scratching posts to keep the pets off the prize petunias and mesh tunnels can provide safe passage to different runs for the small herbivores. Take care when planning for a pet friendly garden to avoid toxic plants such as foxglove and those irritant to skin such as euphorbia; garden centre labels will usually carry warnings. Avoid cocoa shell mulches which can be toxic if eaten by dogs and use and store garden chemicals safely. Maybe even devote a small patch to growing these innovative seed mixes for your pets!
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.