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.