Holistic vet vs. conventional vet

[FuzzyDustBunnies]

How many of you have a holistic vet? Do you use this vet for everything or do you also have a regular vet? If you do, what is the conventional vets views on holistic medicine? And vice versa.

The reason I ask is because my vet frowned upon the saliva testing I had done on Owen and the suppliments I put him on based on the results of the testing. I'd like to know what the general concensus is.

TIA

 

[ardeagold]

Well...you already know what I'm going to say

We had a Holistic Vet...who is also a Conventional Vet and uses both appropriately. He knows when conventional medicine is necessary, and when to use holistic methods.

Then we moved. We now have a Conventional Farm (Large Animal/Small Animal) Vet. He doesn't know much about Holistic methods but is willing to listen and learn...and work with us if we want to use some Holistic methods. Our former Vet is willing to work with our new Vet too.

It helps that our current Vet (Dr. Insley) has heard of, and admires our former Vet. Dr Carvel Tiekert is his name and he's the founder and President of the AHVMA (American Holistic Veterinary Medical Assn), and was once the President of the association ALL Vets belong to, the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Assn).

Sometimes conventional Vets don't like holistic ideas, and sometimes holistic Vets turn completely away from conventional medicine. Neither is good.

The best of all worlds is to have ONE Vet who believes in and practices both...and if you can't find that, then get two Vets - each of whom is EXCELLENT in their preferred area of medicine - and who are willing to work together.

A Holistic Vet went to conventional Vet school, so does know conventional medicine. But occassionally, you might run into one who will turn his/her back on it..although I'd think that would be unusual.

I'd tend to stay away from anyone who practices or preaches "holistic" methods yet is NOT a Vet nor a member of the AVMA.

A Vet is a Vet...but what's most important is how good is he/she in whichever specialty they choose to dedicate themselves to. To me "bedside manner" isn't as important as ability, expertise, and dedication to animals.

[ 08-05-2005, 10:20 PM: Message edited by: Ardeagold ]

 

[Leslie]

Yeah, what she said!!

We use both (but you already knew that too), the conventional for the little things, the holist for the big things. For our blood draws and stuff like that, it's way too expensive to have the holist do that. We just make sure they send them to Antech or wherever they need to go.

 

[Angela]

I use both, except that the holistic vet is 3 hr drive away. So, the conventional vet is used for most problems. The holistic one will do telephone consultations so that helps. The conventional vet is quite happy to go along with the holistic one, and the chiropractor we take the Newfs to, and the Naturopath who the Newfs also visit on occasion.

 

[MNnewf]

We go to a vet that practices both holistic and conventional in conjunction. She asks her new clients which is preferred by them, but will suggest treatments from the non-preferred method if she thinks it's in the best interest of the animal.

I feel good knowing that I've got my "bases covered" so to speak. Yeah, they may need to be on antibiotics once in a while, but the same vet can provide holistic support to boost the immune system or whatever the case may be. It's like the best of both worlds.

 

[Newfs Forever]

Yep,

I use almost exclusively an holistic vet, although she was trained allopathically. We do our darndest to stay the course with homeopathics.

Fortunately, neither of the furkids have had any medications, i.e. antibiotics, vaccinations, etc. for quite some time.

 

[luvmynwfy]

I have a regular Vet and a Holistic Vet. Neither one agrees with the other it seems. My regular Vet is down the street while my holistic Vet is 2 hours away. So, I use my regular Vet for emergencies and little stuff but I go to the Holistic Vet for anything major. She has over 40 years of experience as a regular Vet and Holistic for almost as long. I do have confidence in both Vets but I wish my Holistic one was closer. My regular Vet just laughs or throws his hands up when we get into discussions....I don't let it become an argument so its alright.

Marina