Integrative medicine for pets is quickly becoming a fast-growing alternative treatment option for many owners of sick traditional pet care. It is an approach that seeks to treat the whole pet, not just its disease symptoms. Many people are turning away from traditional Western medicine and the toxic side effects of a pill-dependent system due to their desire for something more natural.
With Americans spending $19 Billion on pet bills each year, pet owners have become more eager to explore the benefits of alternative medicine for pets. Integrative medicines that are used for pets include acupuncture, homeopathy, acupressure, and many more that we will explore in this post.
These therapies can be very effective in treating a variety of symptoms and diseases that afflict our beloved animals including arthritis, allergies, obstructive airways disease, cancer, diabetes, and heart issues amongst other disorders.
Opponents of non-traditional pet care practices argue that these techniques aren’t supported by scientific evidence while proponents say the way we currently conduct medical research cuts out all funding towards the natural techniques.
Without data on how well alternative treatment methods actually work with large groups of “patients”, it will be difficult to prove their effectiveness over traditional treatments. Typically it comes down to this one simple equation. Lots of drugs = lots of money. Natural therapies = not much money.
So it’s up to pet parents to inform themselves and learn directly from the source of the veterinarians who are actively using integrative medicine techniques. Look for veterinarians who participate in conferences and are advocates of these forms of treatment. In this article, we will explore the most popular forms of medicine and what they are used for.
Contents:
- What is integrative medicine for pets and animals?
- What is the difference between holistic and traditional medicine?
- Benefits of integrative veterinary care
- How is Integrative Medicine Changing How Vets Treat Pet Cancer & Other Serious Health Issues?
- How To Do A Pet Cancer Detection Self-Diagnosis and Which Tests Your Vet Should Run
- Benefits of integrative veterinary medicine
- Common Integrative Treatments for Pets
- Integrative medicine for pets Risks and Considerations
- What’s the Integrative Veterinary Medical Association
- The future of integrative veterinary medicine
What is integrative medicine for pets and animals?
One thing you should know about integrative medicine therapy is that it can be very effective if both you and your pet are willing participants, otherwise…well….it’s not going to work! Both you and your pet have to want to participate in order for these alternative therapies to take effect. Sometimes this requires behavioral modification techniques such as desensitization or counter-conditioning procedures which are used on animals suffering from fear, phobia, or anxiety disorders.
Integrative medicine is all about finding new ways of dealing with chronic conditions instead of just treating them with drugs which often cause more harm than good in the long run. The focus is on wellness for humans AND pets rather than sickness care for pets with a pill for every ailment. Many pet owners have found that integrative medicine can be effective in treating a variety of disorders.
According to the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, integrative medicine is defined as: “inherently” collaborative and includes practitioners who use alternative healing methods such as acupuncture, herbal medicines, homeopathy, nutrition, physical rehabilitation, and stress management techniques. Acupuncture has been an extremely popular treatment alternative used in veterinary care for more than 2,000 years. It’s believed to balance energy and restore the body into its natural state of health by stimulating specific points on the skin or muscles using fine needles.
Both Arthritis and Osteoarthritis are very common issues for senior dogs and cats who have naturally slowed down through age-related illnesses. The traditional Western approach towards the elimination of pain associated with these conditions is expensive and sometimes uncomfortable for the pet. That’s why integrative medicine approaches are often a slower, more comfortable process and even though it takes a little longer to come to effect, it may be a better option long-term.
What is the difference between holistic and traditional medicine?
Holistic medicine treats the whole organism and focuses on all symptoms, illnesses, diseases, and pain. Traditional Western medicine views health issues from “the disease” or disorder standpoint (in a negative sense), while integrative medicine doesn’t view illness/disease/disorder as negative, but rather an opportunity for healing and balance within the body.
Holistic Veterinary Medicine is all about allowing pet owners to participate in their pets’ healthcare decisions via alternative therapies that are non-invasive with gentle treatments like acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic techniques along with nutritional counseling. One thing you should know about holistic medical treatment is that it takes time! Results may not be immediate but most pet owners have found them very effective once they work.
Benefits of integrative veterinary care
It all depends on the veterinarian you choose to serve as a guide through the treatment process. There are several holistic veterinary associations out there that have an abundance of information regarding natural healing for pets and even human chronic illnesses including behavioral, neurological, and muscular issues.
Holistic training is easier to find now than ever before, so use that as a reference when searching for a vet who practices this type of care – they’ll be able to advise you on how best to manage your specific condition or situation involving your pet.
The complete picture of health
When using integrative medicine, they look at the complete picture of your pet’s health. They will ask you a series of questions to help them determine which healing modalities (i.e. acupuncture, homeopathy, massage therapy) would be best for your specific situation/condition.
A variety of treatment options
When using integrative medicine you now have the full range of treatment options available. In some cases, traditional medicine will be used. Other times, alternative methods are used alone. It’s always an individual basis for each pet and its symptoms/conditions.
Integrative medicine is more than just a treatment option, it’s a philosophy in which all factors involved with the animal/pet are considered (i.e.: environment, stress level, sleep habits etc.) to determine what the best options are for achieving optimal health.
A natural approach
Nature is exquisite and more powerful than we will ever understand, so that’s why it’s usually best to start there. That doesn’t mean that synthetic medication is not a viable option for your pet’s health, but if it can be avoided (as it sometimes causes more harm than good) then why not give holistic methods a shot?
A more natural approach includes the use of herbs, homeopathic remedies, and natural sprays to help alleviate your pets’ symptoms. This helps them live a more balanced life while achieving better overall health naturally without the use of synthetic drugs/medication.
How is Integrative Medicine Changing How Vets Treat Pet Cancer & Other Serious Health Issues?
Pet cancer and serious health issues are sky-rocketing these days due to commercial pet food and other environmental and lifestyle factors. Integrative Medicine for pets is a growing practice because of the sensitivity and awareness all pet owners have nowadays.
Dogs, cats, and other pets are subjected to the same exact carcinogenic diseases just like people are. Here’s some alarming information that really shows how the human lifestyle factors in big time when it comes to cancer deaths around the world:
The 9 Most Common Causes of Pet Cancer
- More than 50% of all cancers are related to the environment and diet.
- An estimated 80% of all diseases, including cancer, are due to inflammation – which can be either chronic or acute.
- The incidence rate for canine and feline mammary tumors has increased more than 5 times in the last 30 years; some researchers believe this is a result of environmental factors such as chemicals, pesticides, and growth hormones found in commercial pet food formulas (more on that below).
- A recent survey conducted found that 70 percent of dogs have been exposed to toxicants within their lifetime while only 62 percent of dog owners believed they were affected!
- Cancer is the number one killer of pets, it accounts for almost half the deaths, making it more prevalent than heart disease or infectious diseases such as parvovirus.
- Leading causes of canine cancer include: Hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumors and adenocarcinoma; leading causes for feline cancers includes: Lymphoma (this can strike cats mid-life), Feline/Acinic cell carcinoma, which is one of the most common oral cancer forms for cats.
- The chances of your cat getting feline leukemia are 1 in 3 and when it comes to leukemia, the stress level is a factor that can either increase or decrease the risks (more on that below).
- We know now that toxins such as chemical cleaners, rubber/plastic leaching from chew toys, and even household plants can cause serious health issues like liver damage, kidney problems, and anemia among other things.
- Many synthetic chemicals used in commercial pet food products are linked to health disorders like multiple myeloma, lymphoma, hypothyroidism, and skin conditions such as dermatitis and hot spots.
How To Do A Pet Cancer Detection Self-Diagnosis and Which Tests Your Vet Should Run
Essentially, there are subtle signs that indicate a pet is in the early stages of cancer or other serious health issues/diseases.
Most veterinarians and holistic practitioners recommend an annual wellness checkup for your pet to screen for such conditions at the very earliest possible stage. Always get professional advice from your veterinarian and never trust self-diagnosis techniques to indicate disease.
If you do decide to do it at home, here’s what you should look out for:
- Weight loss that can’t be explained (it’s best to switch your diet instead of feeding less)
- Unexplained abdominal pain accompanied by vomiting (this may point to pancreatic cancer)
- Lumps in the skin, mouth, or nose; it’s best to have a holistic vet examine these for other possible causes.
- Fatigue/lethargy accompanied by fever may be a sign of liver failure and should be checked immediately by your vet.
- Changes in bowel habits (such as diarrhea) accompanied by vomiting or weight loss can indicate cancer, especially if there are any proven links to gastrointestinal tumors (e.g.: intestinal lymphoma).
- If your pet regularly loses its hair in patches, itching excessively and chewing at these areas, this may indicate allergies caused by food (commercial pet foods have high levels of allergens that can trigger such reactions as demonstrated in a 2011 study) or other environmental factors – see below for more details about pets as environmental detectors!
- Excessive bleeding from the mouth accompanied by difficulty eating (this includes blood in the stool/urine), rectal bleeding, and eye irritation – again, consult your holistic veterinarian.
Benefits of integrative veterinary medicine
There are many benefits to integrative veterinary medicine including a more holistic approach to your pet’s overall health, the use of natural remedies and products that are much safer and don’t come with side effects.
- It’s a way to strengthen the human-pet bond as it encourages owners to take greater responsibility for their pets’ well-being; it also helps in building better relationships between owner/parent and pet as pets respond more readily to positive reinforcement (e.g.: treats) than negative ones such as slaps or beatings – not saying this ever happens at home, but you get my drift!
- Integrative medicine can help improve the quality of life for our furry friends by educating us about ways to prevent diseases before they happen through simple steps like adopting a healthier diet, making use of essential oils (like lavender), and avoiding common allergens among other things.
- The holistic approach is all about treating the whole body rather than just focusing on a single problem or illness; this makes it easier to treat related conditions and symptoms instead of isolating them if they appear in the future. Integrative medicine also helps us understand that there are multiple factors at play when it comes to our pet’s health – from genetics, lifestyle habits, environmental pollutants, etc.,
- If done right, integrative medicine can cost much less because you won’t have to run for tests and medications every time your pet has an ear infection/sprain/illness/etc.
Integrative Medicine For Dogs & Cats One of the most common ways people integrate alternative medicine into their pets’ lives is through diet; in fact, many dog owners already know that a raw food diet can do wonders for their furry friend’s health!
Unfortunately, there are still many vets who refuse to acknowledge the potential benefits of raw diets because they’re so used to prescribing commercial diets and other medications.
Common Integrative Treatments for Pets
Acupuncture
Acupuncture for pets is now becoming more widely accepted by the collective pet owners’ community.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles in specific sites to balance the energies of your pet’s body. It originated in China over 5,000 years ago and is based on a complex system of energy flows called meridians. Today it’s well known for its role in pain control but it also has many other uses including treating allergies and other diseases.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who adjust the spine to bring about changes in a person’s health by restoring normal function; they believe that if you can get the body back into alignment, this will allow increased blood flow and energy into certain areas and then carry away toxins, stimulating healthier growth and development.
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture is an acupuncture technique that uses electricity to stimulate your pet’s acupressure points. This is great for pets who are averse to needles or those that simply need more therapy and the effects aren’t limited to pain control; it can also help speed up healing, reduce inflammation and relieve muscle cramping.
Laser Therapy
Laser Therapy is a treatment method that involves exposing your pet to low-level light, generally in the red and infrared spectrum. The goal is to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, speed up healing time, and improve mood.
Massage Therapy
Just like for us humans, massage therapy has a number of benefits for our furry friends including relaxation, muscle recovery, and improved circulation.
Tui Na (Chinese Acupressure)
Tui Na is an ancient Chinese treatment with the purpose of bringing about health and balance to your pet’s body, mind, and spirit through pressure points. The techniques used are provided by a practitioner who will then use his/her hands or fingers to apply gentle stretches and pressure; it’s a great way to encourage healing, promote circulation and remove toxins from the body.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine is another popular alternative medicine for pets because it helps treat all kinds of diseases and illnesses through the use of plants. Herbs are often chosen for their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial or antiviral properties as well as their ability to stimulate the immune system and reduce pain.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a method of treatment that involves taking tiny doses of natural substances in order to help strengthen your pet’s overall health; this helps fight off sickness and disease because it actually enhances the body’s natural healing response.
Nutritional/Food Therapy
According to the Journal of Small Animal Practice, nutritional therapy is one of the most commonly practiced alternative treatments for pets and it really can make a huge difference in your pet’s life! The studies found that, by combining supplements with changes in diet, many pets were able to recover from or reduce the symptoms of arthritis, seizures, allergies and skin conditions.
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy is a technique that uses movement instead of medication to treat health conditions and injuries; it can be very effective for those pets who are not ready or able to undergo surgery. It’s mostly used for dogs recovering from hip dysplasia, and other age-related problems.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to promote health and balance; it’s most commonly used in animal hospitals as a scent that has calming properties for the sick or injured pet.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is used to treat pets whose bones, ligaments or muscles are injured. It is also great for treating painful conditions that stem from arthritis and other forms of degenerative diseases.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a treatment that uses the feet or hands as tools; it works on animals just like it does humans! By applying pressure to certain points on the feet, reflexology stimulates the tissues and organs along a specific energy pathway that runs through your pet’s body.
Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese technique used to promote relaxation and healing; it’s great as a supplemental therapy for pets. It involves placing your hands in various positions on your pet while using your energy to affect the flow of life force in his/her body.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy is the practice of healing by using natural remedies and holistic practices; it utilizes the body’s inherent ability to heal itself.
Integrative medicine for pets Risks and Considerations
Let’s now remember, integrative medicine uses both natural and traditional medicine therapies for pets. So you will definitely find risks from traditional medicine you need to be prepared for. Please speak in-depth with your veterinarian about them.
What’s the Integrative Veterinary Medical Association
The IVMA is a nonprofit organization that has existed since 1994. The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) also is an active member of this professional group and both organizations have united to create a new educational foundation for alternative medicine called the Institute for Integrative Medicine (IIM).
Its purpose is to help pet owners understand, recognize and accept complimentary therapies as viable options for their pets’ health care needs. This will lead to raising awareness about safe and effective treatment protocols that are now being taught by holistic veterinary schools throughout the nation. No longer can conventional veterinarians deny the many benefits of integrative medicine because they are already being used in veterinary hospitals across America! How else will they keep up to date with the ever-changing and growing information/research on how alternative medicine can be used for animals?
At this time there are only a few dozen veterinary schools that offer courses in holistic and integrative medicine for pets.
The future of integrative veterinary medicine
The future of integrative veterinary medicine is looking bright. You may be surprised to find out that it’s also covered by health insurance in many cases.
You just need to know for certain that your vet is certified to practice acupuncture, chiropractic, or any other specialty medicine he/she would recommend.
The integrative veterinary medical field has been growing at a rapid rate since 2009. The estimates are there will be a serious increase in practitioners in America by the year 2025. It’s time we accepted these new ways of helping our pets toward better health and longer lives!