Homeopathy is a system of medicine which was founded by a German physician Samuel Hahnemann 200 years ago. He discovered that a substance which caused signs of illness in a healthy person could be used to treat the same symptoms in a sick patient when minute doses are used. This is called the “like cures like” principle and hence the name homeopathy, similar (homoios) to the disease (pathos). Homeopathic remedies are derived from plant, mineral and animal sources.
How Does Homeopathy Work?
Homeopathy stimulates the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. Disease is due to an energy (vital force) imbalance and this is evident by the signs of illness. The correct homeopathic remedy restores the body to a state of balance and, as a result, the disease symptoms improve or disappear. The exact mechanism of the mode of action of homeopathy is not fully understood.
Veterinary Homoeopathic Consultation The veterinary homoeopathic consultation has a holistic focus and is highly individualised to meet your pet’s needs. Chronic health conditions require an initial consultation period of up to one hour, the second consultation requires up to 40 minutes and subsequent consultations up to 30 minutes. During this time we investigate not only your pet’s main concerns, including the veterinary diagnosis, but also its individual characteristics. This includes initiating causes and factors that aggravate or relieve symptoms, heat or cool seeking tendencies, appetite, thirst, personality traits and environmental interactions of your pet.
Revisits are scheduled approximately every four to six weeks when necessary. The number of consultations required depends on the nature of your pet’s illness and how long it has been unwell. Chronic conditions which have been ongoing for many years need at least a four- to six-month treatment period to restore the body to a state of balance and well being. Homeopathic drops are pleasant tasting and easily taken either in a small treat or given directly into the mouth.
Conditions helped by Veterinary Homeopathy Depending on your pet’s illness homeopathy can be used alone or in conjunction with conventional veterinary medicine or surgery.
Arthritis and disc disease
Muscle and ligament injuries
Skin and ear conditions
Poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and colitis
Liver conditions
Chronic kidney conditions, cystitis and incontinence
Endocrine disorders, especially hyperthyroidism
Some types of cancer
Fears and anxieties
Veterinary Homoeopathic Research and Education The International Association of Veterinary Homeopathy (IAVH) www.iavh.org was founded in 1986 to promote research in veterinary homoeopathy and provide training for veterinarians. Its membership includes 550 veterinarians from 32 countries, including Australia. The British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons (BAHVS) and IAVH have embarked on a joint project to develop an online research database of scientific papers for veterinary homeopathy. To date, this site lists 840 peer-reviewed papers, 144 peer-reviewed in-vitro studies and 490 non-peer reviewed cases/articles. www.homeopathicvet.org
The Homeopathic Physicians Teaching Group has conducted diploma courses for veterinarians in Australia. To date, eight veterinarians have passed the Faculty of Homeopathy membership exam (VetMFHom) and three veterinarians are licensed associates of the Faculty of Homeopathy and have passed the preliminary certificate exam in veterinary homeopathy (LFHomVet). www.facultyofhomeopathy.org
The Growing Demand for Homeopathy Over a 10 year period (1995 -2005) in Europe, there has been a 60% growth in the homeopathic market from 590 million to 930 million Euros, with France and Germany having the highest consumption. Over 30 million people in Europe and 15% of the population of UK use homeopathy, with over-the-counter market sales in homeopathic products in the UK reaching 46 million pounds in 2012. 55% of medical doctors use homeopathy in France, 40% in the Netherlands, 37% in Britain and 25% of German medical doctors prescribe homeopathic remedies. In 2007, the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine reported that 6% of Australians used homeopathy in the previous 12 months.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is based on the theory that the body has the potential to heal itself. Fine needles are inserted into specific points to stimulate the body’s inherent self-healing process. Acupuncture is an ancient form of healing, originating from China 4,500 years ago; this makes it the oldest system of medicine still in use today. In China, horses and farm animals have been treated with acupuncture for over 3000 years. But in western countries acupuncture is relatively new. It has only been used in horses and pets since the 1970s.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Energy (Qi) circulates throughout the body in channels along which are sensitive points that affect energy flow. These are called acupuncture points. When your pet is healthy, energy is balanced and flows smoothly. However, if your pet is unwell this energy flow is blocked. This blockage can be released by inserting needles into specific points, in this way the body’s energy is rebalanced and health is restored. Acupuncture causes the release of many neurotransmitters and hormones which relieve pain, improve circulation and stimulate the body’s immunity.
Will Your Pet Enjoy Acupuncture? Very fine needles are inserted for approximately 20 minutes. Most animals relax and enjoy their acupuncture, some even fall asleep. If cats are not impressed, laser acupuncture or massaging the area around the point (acupressure) can be used. Initially, four weekly treatments are required and then the frequency is reduced depending on your pet’s illness. I individualise a treatment plan for every animal, as they vary in their response to natural therapies. Using Bowen Massage and releasing painful points (Trigger Point Therapy) before inserting the needles gives quicker results and anxious animals relax more easily. Most animals love massage, as do people, and during the consultation I will show you which painful points to massage at home.
Conditions helped by Veterinary Acupuncture Depending on your pet's illness, acupuncture can be used alone or in conjunction with conventional veterinary medicine or surgery. Veterinary acupuncture is most commonly used for:
Arthritis and disc disease
Muscle and ligament injuries
Nerve paralysis and weakness.
But many other conditions may also be helped by veterinary acupuncture:
Poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation
Skin conditions
Chronic kidney conditions, cystitis and incontinence conditions