Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian and this article is not a substitute for veterinary care. Any information found on this site is meant to serve as a starting point for a conversation with your dog’s veterinarian about what options or treatments are appropriate for your dog’s specific needs.
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The word “holistic” often brings up a lot of misconceptions.
Many people associate it with words like “green” and “natural” that have been a bit overused.
You might picture someone who rejects modern medicine in favor of wacky alternative therapies. Who hands you some crystals and tells you your dog’s chakras need aligning.
But while there definitely are woo-woo practitioners in both human and vet medicine, using a veterinarian who integrates conventional and holistic practices can greatly improve your dog’s well-being.
Holistic veterinarians still stay up to date on the latest advancements in modern vet care, such as medications and surgery. They just also blend in alternative and complementary therapies with this care.
Most of these holistic treatments, such as acupuncture, have a lot of their own scientific research to back them up.
Traditional western medicines, techniques, and/or nutritional strategies can still be employed as part of holistic treatment.
Many holistic veterinarians apply a combination of disciplines to integrate conventional and alternative medicine.
I mean, why would you restrict yourself to one type of tool when you can use every tool available in the toolbox to build your dog a healthier life?
What is Holistic Vet Care?
According to the American Holistic Veterinary Association (AHVMA): “In treating an animal, a holistic veterinarian will determine the best combination of both conventional and alternative (or complementary) therapies for a given individual. This mixture of healing arts and skills is as natural as life itself. Therein lies the very essence of the word “(w)holistic.”
Holistic vet care treats the body as a whole rather than just treating the portion of the body causing problems at that time. There is also a strong focus on preventative care.
A holistic veterinarian will attempt to treat the underlying condition, rather than just the symptoms of the condition.
To use a human example, if you went to a holistic doctor with a complaint of heartburn, they might recommend diet changes first instead of antacid medication.
Holistic care focuses on addressing all parts of the body and not just one specific area.
Basically, you’re not treating symptoms. You’re identifying the main cause and finding ways to address it.
Here’s an example of holistic veterinary care for dog allergies. If your dog is scratching and licking his skin until it bleeds due to allergies, you bring him to a vet.
A purely conventional vet might bandage the wound and prescribe antihistamines or steroids to treat the itch.
This stops your dog’s immediate suffering (which is good) but doesn’t do anything about the underlying problem.
When you stop the meds, there’s a strong chance the problem is going to come back.
A holistic vet might also use medications to help in the short term, but the real focus would be on why your dog is so itchy to begin with.
There would be a lot of questions about your dog’s physical and emotional environment and any changes that have happened recently.
The cause of the symptom is usually an imbalance somewhere in the body.
Once you find it, you can take steps to correct it. Frequently this is enough for the symptom to go away.
A holistic practitioner will take a look at everything going on with your dog, including their emotional well-being.
They may ultimately prescribe medication as part of the treatment, but a holistic doctor is also likely to suggest an overall lifestyle adjustment to deal with persistent issues.
What Are Some Examples of Holistic Practices?
Holistic vet care doesn’t necessarily always include treatments such as naturopathic medicine, chiropractic, or acupuncture. However, all of these can be part of holistic diagnosis and treatment for your pet.
Many holistic veterinarians are certified in chiropractic care, acupuncture, and Chinese herbs. Depending on your dog’s condition, they may use one or all modalities offered. They’re literally assessing your dog at the moment.
Complementary and alternative strategies can be used alongside traditional cancer treatments to help your dog achieve some comfort and maintain a standard of living while they’re undergoing chemo or radiation.
Some of the causes of incontinence in both cats and dogs can be successfully resolved with Chinese herbs.
Acupuncture can be used as an alternative to spine and knee surgery, alongside muscle relaxers and steroid injections.
Some therapies that a holistic vet might include are:
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Chiropractic
- Herbal Medicine
- Low-Level Laser Therapy
- Nutritional Therapy
- Osteopathy
- Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
- Stem Cell Therapy
Reasons to Consider Holistic Vet Care for Your Large, Senior Dog
Holistic veterinarian care can be safe and effective and is often less expensive than conventional care.
It also focuses on prevention rather than just treating symptoms and diseases after they develop. It can lead to better health and cost savings because it can prevent diseases and symptoms before they occur.
That reduces pain and suffering and also saves money that you would have spent on health care for your pet.
Some conventional veterinarians might quickly go to invasive curative methods like surgery. Holistic vets are less likely to go this route as a first option.
Holistic care alone may not be enough to solve your dog’s problems. But, an integrative approach can work quickly and reduce overall healing time.
These characteristics can make a big difference for a large, senior dog who might be more prone to chronic injuries and illness.
How to Find a Holistic Vet
Finding holistic vet care for your large, senior dog has never been easier.
The AHVMA has a Vet Finder that includes not just the US, but Canada and a few other countries as well. The AHVMA only lists veterinarians who have completed the required certification and coursework for their areas of specialization.
If you know that you are interested in exploring a specific type of care for your dog, you can look up that specialty’s website.
Here are some US-based organizations, but many other countries also have their own specialty societies online.
The American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture: www.aava.org
The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS): www.ivas.org
The Veterinary Medical Aromatherapy Association: www.vmaa.vet
The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association: www.animalchiropractic.org
The American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine: www.acvbm.org
The Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association: www.vbma.org
The College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies: www.civtedu.org
The American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians: www.rehabvets.org
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