Dog
Vet Care
The
right dog vet care is just as important
to your dog as your doctor is to you. Holistic
veterinarians have the same licensing and education as conventional
vets, but they have a much broader area of expertise and their practice
is significantly different.
At the bottom of this page you will
find links to help you locate holistic dog vet care practices in your
area.
But first, what distinguishes a holistic
veterinarian from a conventional vet?
The Difference Between
Conventional and Holistic Dog Vet Care
| . |
Conventional
Dog Health Vet |
Holistic
Dog Health Vet |
| Education |
Licensed Veterinarian |
Licensed Veterinarian,
plus certification from one of the following organizations:
- American Holistic Veterinary Medical
Association
- Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy
- American Academy of Veterinary
Acupuncture
- National Center for Homeopathy
|
| Focus |
Treat
signs and symptoms one problem at a time.
Views the body “in
pieces.”
Considers physical
factors to determine dog care treatment options.
|
Treat
signs and symptoms initially, but broader focus on prevention through
establishing and maintaining a foundation of health in your dog’s body.
Views symptoms as a sign of a deeper instability.
Views body as a whole; if one area
is out of balance it can throw off other areas.
Considers emotional,
mental and environmental factors in addition to physical factors when
determining treatment options.
Pays great attention to
lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, sleep, stress reduction) and making
sure they are appropriate.
Evaluate natural options
to help body heal itself and to build the immune system.
|
| Treatment |
Focus
on controlling and counteracting symptoms through “quick fix”
medications.
Generally ignores body’s innate
ability to heal itself. Body is a passive recipient of treatments that
heal it.
|
Focus
on changing lifestyle habits to promote health and healing naturally.
Avoid side effects and unknown long-term effects of medication when
possible.
Considers natural
treatments and remedies that help body heal itself before recommending
medications (will still prescribe medications when necessary). Goal of
holistic dog vet care is to restore physical and mental balance to
alleviate symptoms.
|
| Relationship
between doctor and pet/owner |
Short
amount of time spent with each patient only when problems arise.
Addresses specific problem quickly then moves to next patient. |
Allocates
more time per visit to get to know dog and dog owner’s lifestyle and to
educate dog owner about natural dog vet care. Provides free dog health
advice periodically over the phone when needed. |
| Mindset of Dog
Owner |
Seeks
treatment when dog becomes ill or problem occurs |
Seeks
treatment and advice routinely to ensure correct preventive care is
being practiced and appropriate choices are being made for the dog’s
lifestyle (diet, exercise, sleep, stress reduction) |
| Accessibility
in your area |
Usually high |
Can be very limited
depending on your area. See below for directory links. |
| Cost &
Time |
Up to 3 times
less expensive than a holistic dog vet care office visit. Lower cost is
proportionate to additional time spent.
The contacts we have made
average about $35 per visit.
Around 10 to 15 minutes
per visit for a quick physical and to address specific problems.
|
Up to 3 times
more expensive than conventional dog vet care for a regular office
visit. Additional cost is proportionate to additional time spent.
The contacts we have made average
about $110 per visit.
Around one hour per visit. Often includes thorough check of
dog, brief massage, discussion of lifestyle and necessary changes.
|
 You
should not start natural therapy until a veterinarian (conventional or
holistic) examines your dog to diagnose any symptoms, determine a
pattern of health problems and uncover other issues you may not be
aware of. If your dog is currently taking medication, it could be
dangerous to immediately stop taking it. As with any dog lifestyle
change, the transition away from medication should be gradual.
 |
Taylor Tips!
Be sure to notice how your dog acts around a new vet. If she doesn't
seem comfortable with the person after a couple of visits, it may be
time to move on. |
Holistic Dog Vet Care
Specialists in Your Area
 Search
these links to find a holistic dog vet care specialist in your area. If
you cannot find one nearby, you can start working with your vet to
introduce holistic treatments. Educate them about your research and the
treatments you are interested in. Work together to develop a game plan
for the new therapies and preventive measures.
Animal
Care/Dog Holistic Specialists – General Practice
Click here to search for holistic
vets in your state as compiled by the American Holistic Veterinary
Medical Association. Since the “sort” function does not always work
properly, try this:
- Click on the “Edit” button on the top of your
internet browser window
- Click “Find on this page”
- Tysearch dog care topicssearch dog care topicssearch dog care topicspe one of the following in the box:
- Name of your city (i.e. "San Francisco")
- Your area code followed by a dash (i.e.
"415-")
- Continue to click “find next” to jump to each
holistic vet in your area
Acupuncture
Dog Treatment
The
International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) is a
non-profit
organization “dedicated to promoting excellence in the practice of
veterinary acupuncture, as an integral part of the total veterinary
health care delivery system.”
Click here to search the IVAS
database for a certified veterinary acupuncturist in your area.
The
Chi Institute is the leading veterinary continuing
education provider of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine
(TCVM).
Their mission is to train licensed veterinarians to become
cutting
edge animal health care providers capable of practicing veterinary
acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and other TCVM skills.
Click
Here
to search the Chi Institute's directory of TCVM practioners in the
United States and
around the world. Both searches can be found in the left
margin of
their web site.
Animal
Physical Therapy (for Dogs)
Start by asking your veterinarian for a recommendation. This is a
relatively new field, so it may take some searching to find a qualified
fit for you and your dog. The University
of Tennessee maintains a
comprehensive list of facilities throughout the world.
Click here to search by state or
country.
Dog
Chiropractic Therapy
The Animal
Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) was formed in
large part to “provide the public with unhampered access to ethical
doctors trained in chiropractic.”
Click here to search for a AVCA
doctor in your area.
Herbal
Medicine for Dog Care
The
Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association (VBMA) is a
"group of
veterinarians and herbalists dedicated to developing responsible herbal
practice by encouraging research and education, strengthening industry
relations, keeping herbal tradition alive as a valid information
source, and increasing professional acceptance of herbal medicine for
animals."
Click here to search their Member
Directory.
Homeopathy
for Dog Care
According to their web site, the Academy
of Veterinary Homeopathy is
comprised of veterinarians who share the common desire to restore true
health to their patients through the use of homeopathic treatment.
Members of the Academy are dedicated to understanding and preserving
the principles of Classical Homeopathy.
Click here for their directory of
certified veterinarians across the United States.
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to Health and Wellness from Dog Vet Care
Dog
Vet Care References
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