A Holistic approach means to approach a problem looking at not just the body part which has the inflammation, but to consider the rest of the body systems as well.
To use an itchy, smelly ear as an example - obviously the infection in the ear needs properly diagnosing and treating with appropriate antimicrobial drops, the local inflammation is often addressed using steroids as part of the drops and many vets will stop there. They have done the firefighting, they have fixed the immediate problem BUT...
A holistic vet will consider WHY the ear might be itchy in the first place, look for other bits of skin (between toes, lips, bottom) that might also be inflamed. A holistic vet will consider other stresses on your pet - environmental influences, repeated use of worm/flea/tick medications, vaccinations, stress and more.
A holistic vet will have done hours and hours of additional training into nutrition and will know that oftentimes it's the diet being fed to that animal that is underlying the problem. Our immune system is heavily influenced by our gut health.
A monotonous daily diet of carbohydrate rich, highly processed fast food (kibble) is not doing our pets any favors. It's the equivalent of a daily diet of takeaway pastries for breakfast, burger and fries for lunch and pizza for tea for us humans. Feeding our pets kibble is convenient for us, but storing up health problems in the long term.
Did you know that 200 Australian guide dogs were switched to raw feeding for a 6 year period, 2009 - 2015. During that time, the vet bills for these Australian guide dogs were 82% lower.
A holistic vet will be able to guide you towards resources as you learn more about slowly changing the way you feed and treat your pet. If you are unable to change completely away from kibble feeding, a holistic vet will be able to guide you how to pimp up your pet's diet by adding things like Berries, Small Fish, Eggs and healthier chews and treats.
A holistic vet will have knowledge about and access to herbal medicines, and give you the tools to know what to use to manage flare ups while you address the diet and environmental and drug stressors. It takes time for your pet's gut and immune system to restore and herbal support may be needed during that time.
A holistic vet will often use acupuncture to help manage pain, as well as influence the immune system. During the sessions they will be able to share with you practical ways to help your pet.
A holistic vet generally has longer appointments than in standard veterinary practice - made possible by the fact that the overheads are lower, because they are not providing services like x-rays, ultrasound, operations, dentistry or in house lab work.
A holistic vet will work with your first opinion vet, going over your pet's clinical notes before your appointment and reporting back to the first opinion vet.
Are you making repeated visits to your vet for the same problem? Is your pet accumulating medicines on repeat prescription? Are you fed up with side effects (and another drug to treat the side effects)?
Do you ever wonder if there is a different approach? Would you like to make progress towards getting to the bottom of it all and actually making an improvement from the inside?
Book with me for a complete case review, including lifestyle and nutrition. Together we make a timeline from birth to now. We can try to unpick all the issues and create a plan for healing. Many insurance companies cover my fees.
Use the contact form on my website to get in touch, and my PA, registered veterinary nurse, Lorraine can help you with any questions and arranging the paperwork needed before the first appointment.
I look forward to working with you to improve the health of your pet.
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