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Animal/Pet Therapies

In recent years, there has been a significant move towards alternative therapies, not only for humans, but for animals too. Although pets such as dogs, cats, and horses are fast becoming popular alternative therapy patients, goats, rabbits, cows, sheep, reptiles, and many other animals can also benefit.

Dr. Randy Kidd, pubished author and former President of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, (AHVMA), says that in recent years there has been a tremendous increase in consumer interest. "People are seeing good results with alternative medicine on themselves, and they want the same thing for their pets." Kidd also notes that the interest in holistic pet care has also prompted several veterinary schools to add short courses on such topics as Acupuncture, Physical Therapy, and Homeopathy.


Case Studies, Succes Stories, & Articles

To view case studies, success stories, and related articles on pet therapies, select an animal/pet and condition below:

Select An Animal Pet:

All Animals Amphibians Birds Cats Dogs Equines Fish Primates Reptiles Small Animal     AND/OR

Select A Condition:

Select an illness/condition Allergies Behavioral Problems Blood Clot Cancer Colic Constipation Contusion Dental   -  Bad Breath   -  Infection / Disease Diarrhea / Vomiting Digestive / IBD External parasites Fear Fibrocartilaginous Embolism Heart Conditions Headshaking Syndrome Hernia Hormonal / Endocrine Hyperthyroidism Hypothyroidism Immune System Disorders   -  Auto-Immune Disease   -  General Immune Disorders Infections Internal Parasites Invertebral Disc Disease Joint, Muscles, & Hip   -  Arthritis   -  Breaks/Fractures   -  Hip Dysplasia   -  Lameness   -  Masticatory Myositis   -  Post Surgery   -  Scoliosis   -  Other Joint, Muscles, & Hip Kidney Disease Motion Sickness Myelitis Obesity Osteosarcoma Pain Control Paralysis Paresis Prostrate Conditions Rabies Respiratory Conditions   -  Asthma   -  COPD (Obstructive Pulmonary)   -  Kennel Cough   -  Pneumonia   -  General Respiratory Salmonella Seizures Skin & Hoof Conditions   -  Eczema   -  Hives/Urticaria   -  Itching   -  Laminitis   -  Skin Disease   -  Wounds/Abscesses   -  General Skin Conditions Stenosis Trauma (Physical) Tumors/Growths Ulcers Urinary Disorders   -  Urinary Tract Infection   -  Incontinence Vascular (Blood Vessels)   -  Hematoma Vestibular Disease Wobbler Disease

The Growing Popularity Of Alternative Pet Therapies

More and more pet owners are seeking alternative therapies, often finding that animal clinics and hospitals are either not open to alternative therapies, or may not have the expertise to offer them. This appears to be changing as more and more practitioners are becoming open to and listening to requests for more holistic and natural therapies.

Although slower in embracing alternative pet therapies than Western Europe, Australia, and Canada, the United States is evolving in this area. An increasing number of Veterinary Doctors are offering alternative therapies in conjunction with the more conventional treatments to offer a more holistic offering of services to their animal patients. Many Veterinarians decide to offer alternative treatments for two reasons: They see that in some cases conventional therapies do not work, and where everything has been done and the pet is not improving (in such cases, sometimes remarkable success can be achieved with alternative therapies); or the pet owner requests an alternative therapy. Sometimes, the pet owner has heard of success stories in treating conditions similar to their pets, or has been conducting research on alternative therapies to reduce the need for drugs or invasive surgery/anesthesia. Their pets may have undergone the effects of pet chemotherapy or be on medications which have unpleasant side effects. Pet owners are often willing to do more and spend more money on their pets health than in previous years, and are not willing to only accept the option of euthanasia. There may also be times that although an alternative therapy may not cure a disease, it may prolong the life of the pet.

Pet Therapies

There are many types of alternative therapies for animals. The following are therapies which are becoming widely accepted and used today:

• Physical Therapy/Physiotherapy
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic
• Homeopathy
• Dietary changes (with focus on natural or home made substances)
• Bach Flower Remedies
• Massage Therapy
• Reiki
• Bioenergetics

Acupuncture, Physical Therapy, and Chiropractic are arguably the most studied and are quite widely recommended. To view more information on these therapies, click here.

To locate a Veterinary Doctor who offers alternative therapies, ask for a referral from a local animal clinic, or search for a holistic vet registered with the AHVMA. These types of therapies should only be administered by a qualified Veterinarian Doctor who is also trained (and if legally required, licensed) in alternative therapies.

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