A holistic approach towards your dog’s health is the need of the hour. It encompasses a multifaceted approach in treating your dog. Not only can they be cured of their specific illness, but a holistic approach ensures the future well being of your dog as well.

There is no doubt that we cannot do away with the traditional approach but we can surely reduce our dependence on them for our dog’s care. In the case of traditional approach, only the illness per se is taken care of and cured whereas the associated factors are ignored.

Well, that is what has been happening all these years. It’s the tried and tested way that works, you might insist. That’s where we might need to modify our perception, for we often don’t see the complete picture. As a result of which we overlook many underlying factors that might lead to more serious problems in our dogs.

Holistic approach to dog care takes care of this aspect. Here the vet analyses the problem in its entirety with the help of a thorough insight of all internal as well as external factors that might lead to such complications.

How Does It Help?

Holistic vets are no doubt a good bet as far as your dog’s health is concerned. Their multi pronged approach enables them to plan an effective schedule of treatment, including their diet, etc. leading to strengthening of their immune system.

Long-term health benefits can be assured with holistic healthcare whereas that is not always the case in traditional approach. As the root cause is not taken care in traditional approach, the same illness can recur innumerable times with absolutely no relief for your dog. You will end up visiting your vet more often and return with a hefty bill.

A Holistic Choice…

Thus adopting a holistic approach might be a better choice than sticking to traditional approach.

In the holistic health care, the vet begins the treatment taking into account the severity of the illness. There can be either a short-term or long-term treatment plan. Eventually your dog is cured and is now stronger with a better immune system.

Yes, at the same time one has to accept that in case of real emergencies, traditional approach of medication will bring faster relief. In fact in many cases, a judicious mix of both kinds of treatment will work wonders.

The Main Focus

The main aspect on which the holistic vet focuses his treatment includes the nutritional aspects of your dog as well as the environmental condition in which he lives. He will also take into account the emotional and psychological state of your dog. This helps him to get an idea of the medical condition in its entirety.

The Wide Array…

Holistic medicine has in its ambit a wide array of treatment for you to choose from. Each one of them unique in its own way. Ranging from Homeopathy to Acupressure, from Color and Music therapy to Magnotherapy, from flower essence treatment to Ayurveda. These kinds of natural treatment therapies are gaining popularity due to the minimal risk involved.

What about Vaccinations?

This is yet another area which should be given due importance. We often tend to give blindly all the recommended vaccinations as some annual ritual. And we end up putting our dogs to risk.

The Reality…

According to holistic vets, the antibiotics, steroids and the vaccines used in dog vaccinations and treatment prove more harmful in the long run as the dog loses its ability to develop its natural immunity. As a result, it becomes more addicted to a vaccine, which is a dangerous trend.

Research has shown that as dog vaccinations usually follow a multi dose pattern, it results in the infusion of massive amount of vaccine (which is in fact live or dead form of the disease causing virus) at regular intervals year after year. This makes your dog more or less addicted to the yearly booster dose for maintaining its immune response.

This is dangerous as it can even lead to weakening of immune response if vaccinations are stopped midway. At times it can also lead to allergies and more serious complications. If you have already vaccinated your dog you need not be unduly alarmed.

There are certain essential vaccinations, which have to be given irrespective of what we think. It is always better to consult your holistic vet before rushing to vaccinate your dog. In this way we can at least eliminate the non-essential vaccines.

Believe me, our dogs have a stronger inherent strength in them to heal themselves than we can imagine. Yes, at times they do need external help, which we can no doubt give them in a holistic way. Keep this in mind, a little puppy Shih tzu at three months of age, which might weight 4 or 5 pounds, get the same vaccination dosage as a Great Dane, puppy, which we all know weights a lot more at the same age. I asked my traditional veterinarian the why of it, and his response was that is the way it is.

So trust in your instinct and give the best care to your dog.

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 24th, 2007 at 2:41 pm and is filed under Dog Holistic Medicine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.