Chronic diseases (those that continue past several months or those that cannot be cured by the traditional medical system) can affect animals just as they can affect humans. In traditional medicine, medications and/or surgery are often recommended to help manage the disease symptoms. Generally this approach requires long term use of pharmaceutical drugs and often times the drugs have side effects that are equally as bad, and sometimes worse, than the original symptoms. This form of treatment addresses the symptoms, but not necessarily the cause of the problem and is temporary at best. When it comes to surgery, it’s my opinion that once you cut the body open, it’s never quite the same. So unless it’s required, such as in the case of a life or death emergency, the pros and cons as well as alternatives should be carefully considered before moving forward. Just remember once you go forward with surgery, you can never go back.
Holistic healthcare focuses on diet, nutrition, and supplements to build a strong immune system and a healthy body, with the goal of minimizing disease. With a solid foundation and the help of herbal remedies as needed, the body can heal itself in amazing ways if disease does occur. When the root cause of the problem is correctly identified and addressed properly, true healing from within can take place.
Over the years, I have experienced how herbs can reduce and often eliminate the symptoms of chronic disease where man-made medications have failed and how they help the body to heal itself, all while others said it was not possible. You can do your own research and you will find incredible stories of those who have cured debilitating diseases, cancer, and other life threatening conditions by nourishing the body and using natural treatments appropriately.
I think it’s important for us all to remember, our animals depend on us to provide for them. If you think something isn’t quite right, it probably isn’t. If your dog or cat is behaving out of character or shows signs of discomfort (restlessness, hiding, panting, not eating, growling, going to the bathroom in the house or outside the litterbox,….) something is probably not right. Even if your veterinarian cannot find anything specific or if the tests don’t indicate a particular problem, you should be persistent and follow your instincts until you can pinpoint the issue.
If you are giving your pet medication and you are not seeing improvements, you need to challenge why it’s a good idea to continue. If you are told surgery is the only option, but you are not sure it makes sense, challenge this thought process. If all else fails and the veterinarian cannot offer you anything but medications and/or surgery and you are not comfortable with those ideas, seek help from a “true” holistic veterinarian or a pet nutritionist. There are always natural alternatives, and if we are persistent enough, we will find a successful solution. Herbal treatments are often disregarded by the mainstream as “unproven” or “unsafe”, but those of us who use them on a daily basis know that when used correctly the results are nothing short of amazing.