Dog homeopathy is a growing area of veterinary medicine that some veterinarians will explore when traditional medical practices aren’t effective or if they feel homeopathic remedies might be more beneficial to your dog. Homeopathy uses whole foods, plants, and nutrients (“nutraceuticals”) to heal and improve health, based on the belief that the body can heal itself when properly nourished. At Lifetime Veterinary Center, we work extremely hard to bring you factual information you can trust, especially when it comes to a topic as serious as your dog’s health. To avoid the incorrect or misleading information you can come across on the web, we’ve taken the most frequently asked questions about dog homeopathy and nutraceuticals and answered them as thoroughly and accurately as possible to ensure you have the facts.
If you’re looking for a highly trained veterinarian in Jupiter, FL, we’d love to see your dog to help determine if homeopathy, including nutraceuticals, is an option for their health and well-being, so please call us at (561) 799-7717 .
What exactly is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a medical practice based on the belief that the body can stimulate the healing process itself by leveraging small amounts of natural substances, such as plants and minerals. It was first used in the late 1700s in Germany, and while quite common in many European countries today, it has yet to be adopted as common practice in U.S. veterinary medicine. The AVMA provides greater detail on veterinary homeopathy, including a success story example.
What are nutraceuticals?
Nutraceuticals is a broad term used to describe healthcare products derived from natural food sources. They are considered biological therapies that promote healing and overall well-being while also controlling disease symptoms. The word “nutraceutical” is derived from the words “nutrient” and “pharmaceutical.” The philosophy behind nutraceuticals is disease prevention through whole foods, plants, and nutrients, and they are an important aspect of homeopathic medical care. The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine explains nutraceuticals in more detail.
Is homeopathy safe for my dog?
Since homeopathy uses natural substances, it is completely safe for your dog. However, as with all medical treatment options, it should be discussed with your veterinarian in case there is a reason why your dog shouldn’t go that route. There are many success stories related to pet homeopathy, allowing it to gain traction in veterinary medicine.
What medical conditions could homeopathy help cure in my dog?
Dogs have experienced success using homeopathy to treat several medical issues, from common infections to serious diseases.
Dog medical conditions that can be treated with homeopathy include:
- Digestive disorders
- Endocrine diseases
- Fleas and other skin conditions
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Bone and joint disorders
- Ears, nose, eye, and mouth problems
- Respiratory disease
- Immune system disorders
- Behavioral problems
- Acute infections such as viruses
Why would my veterinarian recommend homeopathy and nutraceuticals over traditional treatment?
A veterinarian may recommend homeopathic treatment and nutraceuticals if traditional medical remedies fail to help your dog. Sometimes, a veterinarian will apply all known medical options to cure a particular disease, but the outcome is not ideal and the dog continues to suffer. Or, perhaps the traditional options helped to some degree, but your dog could use additional therapies to make them feel even better.
What will happen at my dog’s first homeopathy appointment?
Your initial appointment will be a consultation providing comprehensive information about homeopathy and providing the veterinarian with a detailed medical history of your dog, including their personality, behavioral history, allergies, eating and drinking patterns, activity level, and any diagnosed disease. All of this information will help your veterinarian devise a homeopathic treatment plan that is right for your dog. You will not leave your initial appointment with a plan, as it will take a few days for your veterinarian to put this together and provide a supply of the homeopathic remedy they deem best for your dog.
How long will it take for my dog to benefit from homeopathy?
Every dog heals at a different pace based on many factors, including their age and the medical issue being treated. Since homeopathy treats the root cause of a problem, it might take longer than medications since the plants and minerals being leveraged work from the inside out to fully heal your dog. Homeopathy requires patience and an understanding that true healing is a slower process than masking the issue with pharmaceuticals.
If you live in or near Jupiter, FL, and are looking for quality pet care, come visit us at Lifetime Veterinary Center where your pet is our priority. Contact us at (561) 799-7717 to set an appointment, or email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
Don't forget to follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram.