Natural and Holistic Veterinary Medicine

Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García

Last update: 21 December, 2022

This kind of medicine observes the animal comprehensively, and is based on natural treatments. Far from seeing the disease as an exclusionary entity, it considers it part of a whole. In this article, we’re happy to provide you with some information about it and great tips to bear in mind before you decide about whether to choose natural and holistic veterinary medicine.

Natural and holistic veterinary medicine specialties

Those who treat animals using this method choose a totalizing, prevention-based medicine. As with humans, there are a number of possibilities when thinking about preventing health disorders.

Traditional medicine may be preferred, or more natural and comprehensive ways may be sought. In the latter case, the natural and holistic veterinarian focuses on animals as a whole. The professional will use elements we can find naturally in nature for the treatments he or she will implement on the animal.

Holistic medicine and what’s it about

This type of modality considers that the disease has its origin in several factors. Therefore, among these, we can find physical, emotional, energetic, and environmental factors.

As a result of this search, this approach will try to give an integral solution, studying each particular case. In addition, it works together with the organism to activate healing processes within it. In other words, it takes advantage of the self-healing capabilities of the organism and activates them.

Modalities: which to choose?

When choosing natural and holistic veterinary medicine, we should have in mind which stage of the ailment our pet is in. These can be the initial phase of diagnosis and prevention, the clinical phase, or the convalescence phase.

In this case, a full diagnosis must be performed. It can prove to be very important for taking the proper decisions. Based on this analysis, we can better choose the most appropriate modality depending on what the individual pet needs. However, one does not exclude the other – they actually complement each other.

Some modalities can include:

• Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture: This practice is more than 4,000 years old. It’s based on activating the self-healing power of the organism itself. It contains acupuncture, acupressure, Chinese herbs, massages, etc.
• Acupuncture: Its origin is in Chinese medicine and is especially recommended as a prevention method. Professionals recommend it for treating several functional diseases such as paralysis, allergies or to treat pain.
• Homeopathy: This is a discipline which administers substances that reproduce clinical signs of healthy animals. In addition, it’s focused on a case by case scenario, treating every animal in a very specific manner.
• Veterinary phytotherapy: This therapy is based on folk medicine, using plants and derivatives to treat diseases.
• Floral Therapy: Based on the discovery by Edward Bach, it uses floral essences to harmonize the body. In animals, it’s recommended for both physical and psychological ailments.
• Nutraceutical medicine: This uses nutritional supplements, micronutrients, and macronutrients to treat ailments.
• Veterinary physical medicine: Veterinarian doctors recommend this for treating injuries. Therefore, it’s a non-invasive rehabilitation method that uses stretching, massages, lasers, electrical sources, hydrotherapy and the like as part of the treatment.

Why choose a natural, holistic veterinarian?

First, before defining the modality, the diagnosis must be taken into account and the stage in which the ailment lies. Next, consider whether it’s a preventive method that’s needed or, on the contrary, an already advanced disease that needs a different modality.

Secondly, keep in mind that one modality is not at odds with the other. Moreover, we can complement natural and holistic veterinary medicine with conventional medicine in certain phases of the treatment.

What to consider when choosing?

The following are the foundations on which natural medicine is based on:

• Nature provides multiple elements to prevent and treat ailments.
• The use of non-invasive methods.
• Considering the disease not as the result of a factor, but as part of the whole. Starting from the physical, emotional, and energetic components of the body to diagnose and treat integrally.
• Treatments and diagnoses are individual. Each animal experiences and manifests the ailment differently.
• It considers the body as the main healing factor and activates these self-healing mechanisms.
• Natural nutrition as a way of life and a key aspect of prevention.
• The goal is to achieve maximum well-being and quality of life.

Tips for making a decision

Knowing the basics and modalities of natural and holistic veterinary medicine is the first step. For the second phase, we must find a professional to lead the process. However, this choice is very important as the vet’s purpose must focus on the animal’s welfare.

We should mention that prevention and diagnosis are crucial in this type of treatment. Therefore, observe the onset of possible symptoms when they are still in their initial stages.

In short, we must be open to the possibilities offered by this type of medicine and get informed before looking for alternatives. In addition, the main premise is to restore the balance of the individual’s body and provide a better quality of life.

Did you enjoy learning about these promising medical alternatives? We hope it inspired you! Until next time.