Natural Animal Health Alternatives

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Is there a big demand for herbologists and natural health doctors to focus on animal health care? I have been doing human and animal health research with herbs, and other nutrition and seem to be having good results. Many of the farmers in my area are asking me for information on topical solutions, and internal concoctions to give their critters that is more natural and less expensive than traditional methods. Is this an upcoming trend? Is there anyone out there interested in this type of animal health care? Move over Dr. Doolittle :)

-- Dr. Barbara D Stewart, N.D. (stewart1@oz-online.net), April 06, 2002

Answers

Hi there Doc. The way I've been thinking lately is that more and more people are becoming aware of a more natural way of life, I don't mean homesteading either. You no longer have to go to healthfood stores to get what you need, you can usually pick it up in the supermarket.

Now, another point is that alot of organic foods are coming closer in price range then they were before, more affordable. If people taste organic compaired to "regular" produce, they would eat it all the time. My husband commented that the broccoli didn't taste like cardboard when I first switched over.

Companies are starting to put suppliments into products too. Even dog food has glucosimine and condrotin in the senior foods. So, if most people think of their own health, the next step is usually their pets.

I am always trying to keep up with the new stuff myself.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), April 06, 2002.


Ok Dr. Barbara, N.D. you have just hit a topic that is close to my heart and has been many years. We have been finishing out beef cattle for over twenty years and they are certified natural with the state of Colorado. To meet the requirements we must not use antibiotics nor hormone injections. If we happen to get a beef with a fever, respiratory problem ect., we use natural methods first to reverse the symptoms. This works very well if we catch them early. We stomach tube them with a solution of honey, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and little bit of cayenne pepper. We have also used Bach flower remedies on sick animals and had amazing results.

I am so happy to hear you are an N.D. I have a Master Herbalist Degree with Trinity College of Natural Health and want to apply it to a Naturopathic Degree also. I am also a Certified Natural Health Professional. Please tell me about your practice. I have just used my teaching to help on our farm and my family and friends.

I believe the natural methods for animals are very popular and will become increasingly so. Marilyn MH, CNHP from CO.

-- Marilyn in CO (www.tomeatbeef@aol.com), April 06, 2002.


Dr. Barbara, I believe the answer is simply . . . .YES. But it will still be an uphill struggle. There is too much profit in the pharmaceutical industry as relates to animal health ( and humans too) and a mind set in those trained to treat that is also difficult to change.

Some years ago when we moved to the farm, and my first animals arrived, ( two little goats), followed by horses, donkeys, cows, and many other creatures, I wanted to learn all I could about the animals, and how to tend them. As each new breed arrived, I would buy all the books I could find relating to them, read magazines, and search for related information in other venues.

I wormed, vaccinated, immunized according to the recommendations of breed literature and veternarians. And the vets came for visits. Often. I spent countless dollars in vet bills. I'm convinced I was a major benefactor in at least one new clinic locally. My animals were constantly sick. Runny noses, or runny eyes, or belly aches, or . .. . something! !

The first crack in the dike where vets were concerned came when I had a serious outbreak of illness that treatment and daily visits from the vets were not effecting. In desperation I began to research the symptoms, combing through magazines, animal health books, the Merck manual. . . anything I could find, and had to end up diagnosing the problem myself. That is when I began to question. . . . not only the medicine, but the experience and knowledge of the "specialists".

Over a bit more time I evolved to the position of asking myself why I was subjecting my animals to all these "preventive" chemicals and antibiotics, when, I, myself, do not medicate. ( Not to say I wouldn't if I had a serious illness strike- but I would still give it lots of thought).

I STOPPED it ALL ! ! Stopped the worming, vaccinations, immunizations. Everything. Including the vets. A funny thing happened along the way. VERY healthy animals. My animals stopped getting sick. In six years I've had two vet visits, one for a problem with the birth of a calf, the other a horrendous leg injury on a cow - - ( which I ended up healing naturally/herbally after the vet "suggested" I take the cow immediately to the nearest sales barn as she wasn't likely to survive the injury/infection).

I will add this - - my animals range and graze on pasture, with access to untended woods which have lots of undergrowth, and old fence rows, all of which contain plants I believe animals instinctively know to consume for their own preventive health regimes, as well as parasite control. Those who have to keep animals on small acreage, or plots have a difference situation and different factors come into the equation.

I could write much, much more on this subject. . . but to keep it brief, . . . I am of the opinion that there is a great deal of propaganda out there about the health maintenance of animals, and much of it is a waste of money, ( as it is intended to be). Corporate profit may be the driving factor as I see it.

If you are still changing your oil faithfully every three thousand miles or three months. . . . . then you have fallen victim to the same corporate merchandising/advertising, ( propaganda in my dictionary) that probably has you giving harsh chemicals to your horses/goats/whatever, every couple weeks or so.

-- Judy (JMcFerrin@aol.com), April 06, 2002.


Hello Dr Stewart!

Yes! We are very interested! I have unfortunately been unable to find many sources of information for natural health for animals. there is tons for hmans now, but not a lot of information on how different things affect animals. We kind of learn as we go and try things. Any info you have or could offer would be appreciated!

-- Darlene in W WA (tomdarsavy@cs.com), April 07, 2002.


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Darlene, I recently found a magazine, " Acres, USA" which bills itself as an "Eco-Agriculture" publication, and this issue I have is a catalog of books. It lists a lot of books for sale regarding animals and natural or homeopathic care.

Some of the titles of the books are: 1. Natural Cattle Care 2. Natural Goat Care 3. Natural Horse Care. ( Those three titles written by same author, Pat Coleby)4. The Treatment of Cattle by Homoeopathy, By Dr. George Macleod There are books for homoeopathic treatment for small animals, for the dog and cat,and for goats.

There are many many books which are eco-friendly based titles on many subjects. They give an 800 number where I suppose you can call and ask for a couple of the catalog - - 800-355-5313 as well as a free copy of the magazine. It is published in Austin, Texas.

Oh, just found a "shop online" URL. www.acresusa.com

-- Judy (JMcFerrin@aol.com), April 08, 2002.



Dr. Steward...the answer is a BIG YES..

As with many who have already written, I too have had extreme negative results from traditional medicine. Usually starting with vaccines.

My process is if I can start with homeopathic/herbal/natural remedies first then I can always go to the traditional medicines should they fail.

I carry Dr. Bach's Rescue remedy wherever I go...there may be someone either on two legs or 4 that need a little help. :^)

The First Do No Harm...

-- BC (Katnip364@aol.com), April 12, 2002.


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