Treatments & Modalities Alternative veterinary medicine is a way of promoting animal wellness through “holistic” pet care, which considers the impact of the animal’s emotions and disposition on its overall health. Alternative veterinary medicine is dedicated to promoting wellness rather than just treating symptoms. Alternative vets try to find the underlying causes of symptoms and encourage lifestyle changes that might help the animal remain well.
Factors That May Affect a Pet’s Health Include:
Alternative veterinary medicine practitioners may use both conventional and alternative procedures to diagnose and treat illness in an animal. Some alternative veterinary medicine doctors call themselves “animal naturopaths” because their emphasis is on an animal’s innate natural ability to heal.
Alternative veterinary medicine may include acupuncture and acupressure; homeopathy; animal massage; treatment with botanical and herbal remedies; chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation; nutraceutical supplementation; and physical therapy to rehabilitate animals who have been ill or injured. Alternative veterinary medicine practitioners also may perform surgery and animal dentistry.
Acupuncture, a modality employed in alternative veterinary medicine, has helped many pets, including some who suffered from paralysis, to make a full recovery.
Practitioners that perform alternative veterinary medicine are more likely to choose herbal rather than toxic remedies for common problems like fleas and ticks. A recent Laotian study found 92 different types of plants and 123 different plant combinations are effective at controlling pet insect infestations. Sweet flag, knotweed, creeping willow, mint, tobacco, and white clover are among the herbs commonly recommended for flea control in the US.
Alternative medicine veterinarians are experienced in diagnosing and treating animal allergies and nutritional deficiencies and may recommend home-made rather than commercial pet foods. Some carnivorous animals, like dogs and cats, thrive on a diet of raw meats. Other pets might need an adjustment of diet to maintain a healthy weight.
Some alternative medicine vets believe routine vaccinations are unnecessary, but this is controversial and some community ordinances require that pet animals receive immunization against rabies, distemper, and other communicable diseases.
The information on this site it intended for general inquiry and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you, or those under your care, are ill or in need of health care, please seek immediate medical attention. Always consult a doctor or other competent licensed clinical for specific advice about medical treatments for yourself or those under your care. Any use of, or reliance in any way upon, the information contained in the AlternativZ site and/or accessed through this site is solely at your own risk.
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It’s a good idea to try alternative vets especially if your animal has a problem that regular vets can’t really treat, like demodetic mange. Plus alt vets keep your pets healthy. I’ve gotten such good advice from mine.