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NOTICE/DISCLAIMER:
I am not a
veterinarian and I do not offer medical advice to others. The following
is not intended and should not be viewed as a substitute for appropriate
veterinary care. Any information provided herein comes from my personal
experiences and from various companies, health care professionals and
individuals who have researched and/or dealt with the health issues included
in this Health Care section. Such information is not intended to provide
care suggestions for all medical issues, but rather to provide suggestions
for care which can support the immune system, address certain ailments,
illnesses and parasitic infections, and provide dogs and cats with the
nutritional resources necessary to maintain optimal health. Please use what
feels intuitively appropriate to you, and consult with your allopathic,
holistic or homeopathic veterinarian for proper diagnoses of medical issues
before proceeding with the suggestions contained herein.
Feedback and comments are welcome and
appreciated. If you have assisted a dog or cat in recovering optimal health
through the use of holistic care, please contact me at
kat@katberard.com if you’re
interested in sharing your story on my website for the benefit of others.
Thank you.
Hair Analysis Through hair
analysis, Pettest screens your animal's body for levels of nutritional and
toxic minerals, and reveals imbalances that could cause health problems,
before symptoms even manifest. This simple test can evaluate the rishs and
causes of bone and joint disorders, digestive, heart and thyroid disease,
allergies and even cancer.
www.pettest.net
Allopathic Care
The definition of allopathic care is well stated by the University of Notre
Dame: “Generally speaking, the type of mainstream health care practiced in
America is referred to as allopathic. Physicians, upon whom the M.D. has
been conferred, have been trained in and practice allopathic medicine. It is
difficult to offer a definition of allopathic medicine as the term itself is
usually used only to distinguish its practices from those of what is
referred to as homeopathic medicine. Sometimes you will hear the term
“alternative medicine” which often refers to not only non-allopathic
practice, but to other techniques and practices which are frequently not a
part of American and European tradition, such as acupuncture, ch’i or
channeling prana. When practices from various medical disciplines are
combined to address body, mind and spirit, sometimes you will hear the
expression “holistic” to describe this particular approach.” From the
Notre Dame University website
Allopathic care is
mainstream veterinary care involving the use of medications, chemicals,
surgery, etc. to address health issues like arthritis, cancer, skin
conditions, allergies . . . and pests like fleas, ticks, heartworms and
other parasitic infections. While this is how things have been done for so
many years, there is another alternative which is less toxic, less stressful
to the animal's immune system, and gentler to the physical body . . .
holistic animal care. See the Holistic Care for
Dogs and Cats page for more information on this field, and
Alternative Healing Modalities for options
such as acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, Reiki and other energy work,
body work (massage, TTouch) and more. A chart which contrasts allopathy with
homeopathy can be found at
http://home.att.net/~Olenev/articles2.htm.
If you or your animal companion has a chronic
or life threatening illness, do not focus on the time prognosis you may have
been given by your M.D. or vet (i.e., 3-4 months, 2 years, etc.). All
living beings have a life path, a purpose for being here, and the illnesses
and diseases we experience offer valuable lessons in so many ways. Perhaps
an illness teaches us to: have more compassion for others, and to open our
hearts to love; address negativity, pessimism, anger, depression, or other
emotions that we hold within our cells and being that keep our vibrational
essence at a lower rate (which some believe will eventually result in
illness if not addressed and released); find new ways (such as holistic
care, alternative healing modalities, and positive affirmations) to address
these health issues and take better care of ourselves and our animal
companions; or for many other reasons. I cannot emphasize enough how
important it is to focus on and affirm life, not death. Do not add
negative energy to a being's health crisis by thinking and holding a
timeline for their or your departure. Release that energy, trust that
there is a higher purpose to the situation, and be positive about the things
you do to address it.
Most important: don't "hover" over an ill
person or animal, but do trust your instincts/intuition when you sense that
something is not right, or something seems different/worse. Do not ignore
your intuition about health issues . . . have them evaluated by your vet or
M.D., and take appropriate steps to address the findings. Then extend
to the animal (or yourself) freedom from your excessive fears and worries.
I do understand how difficult, even painful, it can be to watch someone we
love struggle with an illness. The very best gift you can offer them
or yourself is to live in the moment and enjoy each day, find the joy and
the silver lining, and be supportive in a positive, not fearful, manner.
Make the most of what you have, don't focus on what seems to be lacking or
how unfair or sad a situation is. Do those things you've been putting
off that bring you or your animal companion joy and happiness. Let go
of that which no longer serves your highest good.
No matter how grim or dim or hopeless the
situation appears, the path and the outcome is always effected for the
highest and best good of the being. I have experienced a number of
crises and tragedies in my life. As difficult as they were to deal with, I
can honestly say that when all was said and done, I always landed in a
better place, and am stronger for having had the experience. Look
for and be open to miracles. They happen on a regular basis -- I can
attest to that.
Seizures, Separation Anxiety, Storm
Phobias. See the
Links-General Care page for options for addressing these issues, and
links to informational sites. Also see the
Behavioral Issues page.
Natural Cat Litter! Please
consider switching from whatever you're using to World's Best Cat Litter, a
natural corn kernel (not cob) litter that is 99% dust free (saving the
lungs!), odor absorbent (not odor-masking like perfumes), healthy for your
cat, and easy to clean up (it's even flushable!). Works fine in
self-cleaning litter boxes. Visit
www.worldsbestcatlitter.com
or visit your favorite pet store to buy it. If they don't carry it, ask them
to!
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