With the rising cost of drugs and the awareness of the dangers of chemical treatments, many pet owners are seeking different ways to treat their dogs. Natural remedies have become an alternative, and attractive, treatment. In medicine, holistic means taking a "whole body" approach, with cures designed to not just treat a specific ailment or body part. For human patients such an approach might mean drug therapy, massage therapy and other treatments designed by their practitioners to treat the entire body. In dogs, the same theory is utilized, with cures such as vitamin supplements, changes in diet and herbal treatments.
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What types of ailments are treated?
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Owners interested in using a holistic approach to caring for their dog have sought cures for any number of ailments. Problems and issues range from the benign such as bad breath, itchy ears and removal of sticky substances on paws, to the severe such as treatments for cancer, seizures and vomiting. Some of the most common ailments include allergies, distemper, skin problems, and worms and other parasites.
What types of holistic treatments are available?
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The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) now lists complementary and alternative approaches as a recognized form of treating dogs. Treatments available include the following:
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Acupuncture (used especially for animals with ruptured disks, traumas or, in older dogs, pain associated with arthritis)
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Chiropractic (seen as a holistic means for whole body wellness, this treatment can utilized as a preventive measure or for treating chronic pain)
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Homeopathy (a truly holistic approach, homeopathy treats the whole, mind and body. In this form of treatment, herbal agents are often used to fend off conventional diseases, with the idea of stimulating the dog's natural ability to fight the disease, and not just to treat the symptoms)
- Nutritional (whether introducing supplements or finding ways for diet to counteract diseases such as cancer, nutritional treatments are a mainstay of holistic medicine)
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Holistic approach to allergies
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One of the most common ailments for dogs are allergies. Pet store shelves are lined with foods and treats designed specifically for the dog with allergies. Allergies in dogs, as in people, come from inhalants, what they eat, breath, and, for dogs, what they might ingest or even walk on when they are outside. Traditionally, dogs are treated with a regiment of steroids, or antibiotics for the infections that invariably occur after a dog has torn open itchy skin. Yet, these treatments rarely get to the heart of the issue, the irritant itself. Of course, identifying the irritant, and finding a treatment, can mean costly allergy tests, costly foods and other treatments. A holistic approach, while not proven to be entirely effective since allergies come in so many forms and varieties, include adding a multi-vitamin to the dog's diet, introducing bee pollen twice daily (550 mg suggested), Echinacea twice daily (human dose), among others.
Conclusion
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Holistic medicine in dogs is an inexact and involving practice but, as many pet owners move away from costly drugs and chemical treatments, the use of natural remedies grows more and more popular. Before entering into any holistic treatment plan for your dog, make sure to contact your veterinarian or holistic practitioner, since each dog's situation and remedy is unique.
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