What is Holistic Veterinary Medicine?
Holistic, adj.
"Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole" - New Oxford American Dictionary
Holistic Medicine involves taking into account the whole picture and finding the underlying cause(s) of a condition. This can be done through so many different approaches, and one is not necessarily better than another. I combines western allopathic medicine, western herbal medicine and knowledge of eastern acupuncture techniques to more fully understand and support pets.
It is not a denial of evidence.
It is not anti-allopathic medicine.
It is not just symptomatic treatment.
It is listening to the whole story.
It is addressing the whole creature.
It is working to find the underlying cause.
It is a better way to practice medicine.
Case Study - An Itchy Dog
Lucy
Lucy was a 17yr mixed breed dog, whose owner had seen several vets to address severe itching and hair loss over the last year or so. She was told that Lucy had allergies and was put on anti-itch injections. These helped, but she was still very itchy. I did a thorough evaluation of her and assessed her immune system to be weak, that she had fleas, bacterial and fungal infections and was generally miserable. We made it out goal to alleviate this itching in order to improve Lucy's quality of life. Through carefully selected supplements, topical preparations, targeted medications, regular follow-ups and owner dedication, Lucy's itching completely resolved, and all her hair grew back into a beautiful shiny coat! Lucy was able to have a much improved quality of life and go on living out her old age without regular anti-itch injections.