Alternative Medicine Is Going to the Dogs . . . and Birds

[Guest guest]

I had a dog that responded wonderfully to homeopathic treatments. We

tried it when nothing else worked for her I'm so glad we went that

route as it made her life so much better and comfortable! ... and its

not like dogs have the placebo effect mentality, so " the proof was in

the pudding "

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

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Alternative Medicine Is Going to the Dogs . . . and Birds

http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Jan/01262003/nation_w/23512.asp

 

BY REBECCA BOONE

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

BOISE, Idaho -- Several months ago, Suzie was living outside of a

local bar, surviving on popcorn she begged from patrons.

The homeless life damaged her health, so now she dutifully

submits to acupuncture treatments once a month at the urging of her

owner.

Suzie, a fluffy white mutt, is just one of holistic veterinarian

Jacquie Swartz's patients. Her owner, Barbara Myhre, is one of a

growing number of pet lovers turning to alternative pet care.

" You know what's nice about dogs? They have no preconceived ideas

about needles, " said Myhre. " I had a Rottweiler with bad hips and

conventional medicine wasn't helping him. Acupuncture had helped me,

and sure enough it helped my rottie. "

Now Myhre is hoping little Suzie will also see results. The

shelter dog -- now a therapy animal that Myhre takes to nursing

homes -- has been drinking more water than normal and has a distended

belly. Suzie also has a sore back, and trouble going up and down

stairs.

As Swartz pricks Suzie's skin with ultra-thin, flexible needles,

the dog barely blinks. Occasionally she sends a questioning glance to

Swartz, when the vet finds a point that is particularly sensitive.

But like most dogs, Suzie is yawning and relaxed by the end of

the session.

" Animals respond really well to acupuncture and Chinese

medicine, " said Swartz. " They are very sensitive to energy, and

that's what is being manipulated with acupuncture and herbs. You know

how people say dogs can smell fear? It's kind of the same thing

because they're picking up on the energy around someone. "

With that in mind, Swartz -- who formerly used only traditional

Western medicine -- will not perform invasive procedures in her

office.

" I don't do any X-rays, surgery or euthanasia here, so the office

is pretty clean as far as energy goes, " she said.

A schnauzer named Nickel seemed to think so. The dog eagerly

sniffed at Swartz's lavender-scented hand lotion when owner Lynette

Goode brought her in for a treatment.

Goode believes acupuncture has saved Nickel's life.

" She had severe arthritis, couldn't get up the stairs and

collapsed all the time. We tried putting her on traditional

medication but it threw her liver all out of whack and caused even

more problems, " said Goode. " Our vet told us just to bring her home

and love her until the pain got to be too bad, and then we'd have to

put her down. "

Unwilling to accept the news without a second opinion, Goode

brought Nickel to Swartz for acupuncture.

Goode said she was skeptical -- and her husband thought she was

crazy -- but decided to give it a shot anyway.

By the third treatment, said Goode, Nickel was noticeably

improved. A few visits later, she was able to quit taking hormone

medication for an incontinence problem. Her arthritis also calmed.

The results almost have Goode convinced.

" I've decided acupuncture is great for my dog, but I'm still not

sure for me, " she said.

There are few veterinarians that practice holistic medicine,

herbology, acupuncture or chiropractic in Idaho. But alternative-

minded pet owners are on the increase, said veterinary chiropractor

Ellen German.

On the advice of a friend, Boise counselor Rand Martel recently

took one of his large Russian borzoi hounds to German for treatment.

While running, Bailey suddenly stopped and yelped in pain, Martel

said. The incident left the dog only able to walk or trot.

Chiropractic on animals is not done by hand, German said. She

uses a Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation Activator -- a hand-held

device that delivers a quick, precise amount of pressure with the

touch of a button.

She started the exam by demonstrating the machine on the owner's

arm, and then using it against her own hand on Bailey's side, to get

the hound used to the sound and feel. Then she used the activator

along Bailey's spine, pointing out to Martel where muscles seemed

tighter or out of alignment.

About two days later, Bailey was able to run again, said Martel.

" He hasn't had any complaints since -- it really made a

difference, " he said. " After Dr. German was done, I spent another 15

or so minutes just talking with her about the holistic approach. I'm

going to take a more aggressive holistic approach with my hounds now,

giving them vitamins and fish oil. "

Homeopathic treatments tend to be cheaper than traditional

medicine cures, said German.

That makes it harder for homeopaths to make money, but being able

to cure animals with gentler methods is worth the financial struggle,

she said.

" Homeopathy is the second most widely used form of medicine

worldwide, next to herbs, and it's been used longer than traditional

Western medicine, " she said. " When you consider that less than 15

percent of modern drugs on the market have been studied, it's easier

to understand the science behind homeopathy. "

But many veterinarians are reluctant to refer patients to

homeopaths, said Vicki Smith, executive director of the Idaho

Veterinary Medical Assoc- iation.

" It's kind of out of the norm, and not scientifically based, so

even if the client is asking for the service some doctors don't want

to get involved in homeopathy, " Smith said. " It's the same in human

medicine. I believe in chiropractics, but it's not necessarily

scientific. "

Animals, however, are not swayed by the placebo effect, said

German. " You watch their behavior and you see if it works. There are

some things homeopathy can't cure, like a broken leg, " she said. " but

you make sure the animal gets the best treatment possible no matter

what form it comes in. "

If Idaho's population continues to grow, Smith said,

veterinarians will be more willing to get the extra training. In

metropolitan areas such as Portland, Ore., there are enough pet

owners interested in alternative treatments that some vets even

specialize in avian acupuncture, for cockatiels, chickens and other

pet birds.

Swartz hopes the change comes to Idaho soon, for the sake of the

animals she treats.

" I truly believe in the deepest part of my soul that combining

conventional and holistic medicine will lead to a more humane

veterinary practice, " Swartz said.