Holistic Cat Medicine refers to the art and science of healing that includes the whole animal - body, mind, and spirit. Many people think that holistic medicine is in total opposition to tradition medicine, but that is not true. Holistic medicine combines conventional therapies with complementary therapies to promote optimal health. It aims to prevent and treat disease processes by addressing all contributing factors.
This means that disease is viewed as the result of all factors, physical, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental. If disease is caused by all of these things, then treatment must be aimed at all, as well.
The AHVMA (American Holistic Veterinary Medicine Association) defines holistic veterinary care best:
"Holistic medicine, by its very nature, is humane to the core. The wholeness of its scope will set up a lifestyle for the animal that is most appropriate. The techniques used in holistic medicine are gentle, minimally invasive, and incorporate patient well-being and stress reduction. Holistic thinking is centered on love, empathy and respect."
Holistic Cat Medicine is not meant to replace traditional veterinary care, but rather to work with it to acheive the best health and well-being for your kitty.
By learning more about holistic cat medicine , you can be a partner with your veterinarian in observing your cat's health at home and taking proactive steps at home and at the vet's office to make sure your cat will be as healthy as possible.
Holistic Ceterinary Medicine includes such things as:
•Acupuncture•Chiropractic Manipulation•Nutritional Therapy•Vitamin and Mineral Therapy•Homeopathy•Herbal Medicine•Massage
I have always practiced primarily traditional medicine, but have been open to the idea of holistic treatment and believe, at times, it can be very beneficial. This section of the website is devoted to alternative medicine for cats so that you will become aware of its existence and have some resources to turn to should you be interested.
The first article in this section, Gentle Pain Relief for Cats through Acupuncture, is by Dr. Ellen Schmidt, a veterinarian with a special interest in veterinary acupuncture who is dedicated to complementary veterinary pet and dog health.
Dr. Schmidt is the owner of the Veterinary Acupuncture Practice, which is located in the Northeast of Scotland in Aberdeenshire, UK. Her first topic for us is about a very important issue in cat care - Pain Relief.
