Alternative medicine, also referred to as complementary or holistic medicine, includes any form of treatment that has not been accepted as standard medical procedure; such as homeopathy or chiropractic care.
Alternative medicine was introduced in the early 20th century to cure ailments by enhancing the body’s natural ability to defend itself against disease. As it gained traction in the late 1900s, newer holistic practices became available to the public such as acupuncture and electroconvulsive therapy.
Although many individuals have heard of or even experienced alternative medicine themselves, this concept has only started gaining popularity in the realm of veterinary medicine. With professional guidance, alternative medicine can be integrated with conventional methods to produce a more efficient and well-rounded scope of veterinary care.
However, It is important for pet owners to understand all of the associated benefits and risks prior to implementing any alternative methods on their animal.
Treatments
The type of holistic treatments available to animals are restricted to the knowledge and skills of each veterinary professional. Some increasingly popular methods include hydrotherapy and herbalism.
Similar to its application in humans, hydrotherapy is most commonly used to treat obese and/or arthritic animals. These health conditions are often associated with severe inactivity, as the pain of walking can become too much to bear. With hydrotherapy, the animal’s buoyancy in the water alleviates excess weight on the joints, while the water’s current offers resistance to promote muscular engagement.
Herbalism is another alternative option when conventional methods are unsuccessful. Some of the most prominent health challenges facing veterinary medicine have been diminished through various herbal supplements; both when utilized independently or combined with conventional medications/treatments. For instance, Astragalus has been shown to improve blood flow and support kidney function in humans as well as various animal species. Additionally, Valerian Root possesses calming properties and has been used to aid dogs suffering from anxiety-induced epileptic seizures.
Humans and animals surprisingly possess many similar physiological and anatomical properties, making some alternative treatments effective for both groups. However, there are important differences that call for necessary precautions.
With herbalism being one of the most popular forms of holistic therapies in humans, many assume the same methods apply to animals; this perspective could be fatal. For example, lilies have been known to cause cardiac arrhythmias in both cats and dogs. Without having this critical knowledge, an owner may use lilies on their pet to treat ulcers or respiratory illness (a common use of lilies in human herbalism).
Resistance
As with any form of medical treatment, alternative medicine does pose some risks. One of its most common criticisms is that it does not legally require veterinary supervision. As a result, many pet owners who attempt to learn about these methods do so via Google searches or word of mouth. This also makes it very difficult to discern the qualifications of those who claim to be professionals in alternative veterinary medicine.
Depending on how it is used, alternative medicine has also been known to cause unwanted side effects or even mask critical signs of disease. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the treatment depends on the intellect of the veterinarian. As professionals in animal medicine, veterinarians should be expected to understand what form of treatment is necessary based on the signs exhibited by each unique patient. Similar to conventional methods, alternative medicine requires sufficient knowledge of animal physiology and husbandry prior to the prescription of any sort of treatment.
Not all forms of alternative medicine are equal in efficacy. The success of an alternative technique depends on the individual and their specific needs. Just as chemotherapy isn’t always successful at treating cancer, it may take time to find the alternative method that works best for each patient.
Acceptance
While some are skeptical of the benefits, the benefits of alternative medicine have been recognized and adopted by numerous veterinarians throughout the world. One of the most fierce advocates of alternative veterinary medicine is Dr. Martin Goldstein.
In Dr. Goldstein’s experience, alternative medicine has opened doors that conventional medicine cannot, providing families with more options to save their beloved pets. The supply of veterinary services is directly linked to customer demand. Therefore, veterinarians need to educate their clients with credible information on all available treatment options; both conventional and alternative. By not integrating alternative medicine into the veterinary curriculum, the quality of care is limited.
If exercised appropriately, alternative medicine is a practical form of preventative and sometimes topical veterinary care. With hundreds of different therapies, alternative medicine provides a plethora of options not available within conventional practices alone. These options are often associated with reduced risk, recovery time, and cost of procedure(s).
Currently, the most prominent obstacles facing the integration of alternative medicine in the veterinary field include a lack of research and, consequently, a lack of education for both veterinary professionals and the general public.
Overcoming these barriers is essential to the advancement of animal medicine. The successful integration of alternative medicine will expand the options for veterinary care and enhance the overall quality of animal life.
