A guide to holistic vet care

Holistic vet care tosses aside traditional medications and procedures for a less stressful approach. A holistic veterinarian uses improved nutrition, herbs, massage, acupuncture and chiropractic care to improve an animal`s health.

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Recent studies prove that current vaccination schedules may be too much for many animals. Steroid use is increasing and many pet owners give their pets too many painkillers. While these medications soothe symptoms, little is done to find the reason behind chronic pain.

Understanding Holistic Vet Care

With holistic medicine, the belief is that a balanced inner well-being is the best way to live a long, happy life. Principles used in Asian medicine, such as acupuncture, herbal treatments and a healthy diet, improve the health of dogs and cats.

This organic pet care plan reduces stress for your pet. Many pets associate veterinary visits with painful shots and invasive exams. They become fearful. Holistic veterinarians focus on keeping pets happy and calm. They spend time with an animal before doing any check-up and they rely on an owner to alert them to their pet`s discomfort. If a pet becomes stressed, treatments stop until the pet is calmer.

Benefits to Holistic Pet Care

Surprisingly, many cases of poor health improve with chiropractic care. A misaligned spinal column puts strain on other areas of the body leading to chronic pain, weakness and muscular ailments. By visiting a holistic veterinary practice specializing in chiropractic care, a number of pets greatly improve after three or four visits.

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Pet owners find holistic practices benefit pets with a variety of complaints, including:

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Digestive troubles
• Muscle injuries
• Renal failure
• Separation anxiety

Common dog and cat illnesses respond well to acupuncture and herbal treatments. Using organic pet care options, potential poisonings from prescription medicine overdoses never occur. Veterinary bills decrease because your holistic vet teaches you the best diet for your pet to avoid allergies and digestive problems.

Natural pet care also uses the correct mix of vitamins and minerals to ensure your pet receives the nutrients they need to function properly. Homeopathic remedies generally go over well with animals, especially if you mix them into canned food, yogurt (with minimal sugar) or cottage cheese.

What to Expect when You Visit a Holistic Vet

Bring prior veterinary records with you to the first visit. Include information on vaccinations, surgeries and major health concerns you feel your pet needs to overcome.

The first visit with a holistic vet allows you to meet those in the practice and gives your pet a chance to become comfortable with the staff. Most holistic veterinary practices want you to be involved. They ask you to stay with your pet during procedures and inform them if your pet`s mood changes.

After doing a quick check-up on your pet, the veterinarian will discuss nutrition, herbal supplements and holistic care plans with you. They will give you a list of herbs to buy and any vitamin or mineral recommendations. Ask questions as they come to mind. There is no question too ridiculous to ask.

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