In the July 2012 issue of the Veterinary Practice News, the Pets Best Insurance company identified the most expensive claims (which were paid in full). I have given some holistic approaches that an integrative veterinarian may have used that would have cost much less.

A dog hit by a car was kept on life support for two weeks, had fractures and survived ($55,000). Accidents are one are where conventional intervention may be critical, however the use of acupuncture, Reiki, Flower Essences, Essential oils, chiropractic, homeopathy, chinese herbs and other healing modalities would, I feel, have sped up the healing process and decreased the bill by 50% or more, if they were successful.
Tips to follow if your pet is injured:

  1. Administer Reiki immediately and offer it from home (need to be attuned to level II for this) yourself or have someone do it from afar (Reiki Alliance and others can help).
  2. Administer dilute Rescue Remedy (or other emergency flower essences) to your companion and to yourself and any other family members involved. If in critical shape it is fine to give the straight Rescue Remedy (the alcohol may cause some foaming, but it is not critical). You can put one drop on the mucus membranes of the mouth or lip, or rib on the ears where there is little hair.
  3. Take a deep breath and evaluate the damage. If not life threatening, call your holistic veterinarian. If your animal does go to a clinic, or emergency hospital, continue with Reiki and Rescue Remedy or calming Essential oils (can be put on collar, skin, blanket, favorite stuffed toy).
  4. Continue with the modalities and healing team you have been using successfully. In a fracture on life support this could include HTA, TTouch, chiropractic, homeopathy, TCM, flower essences, essential oils and more, along with the conventional (if needed) treatments.
  5. Continue treating until your companion is completely recovered and even any of the Early Warning Signs that returned have resolved.

Dog with “Wobbler’s syndrome” had diagnostic X-rays and MRI; surgery; and drugs ($21,581).
I know of many dogs with symptoms of Wobblers (paralysis) who either completely recovered with a combination of holistic modalities, or were able to function normally with continued treatment. One Great Dane did get the MRI and had evidence of Wobbler’s. Because she had mange at the time, the surgeon said to wait. While waiting, they began acupuncture treatments. After a few weeks of twice a week treatments, Rosie did not only hold her own, but began to improve. After a few months, she was trotting again. As she continued to hold her own, they reduced the frequency of the treatments to once a week. No surgery was ever done.

“Slipped Disc” needed CT scans, MRIs and surgery ($14,400).  I have personally and successfully treated several dogs with paralysis from disc problems for anywhere from $300 to $1,000. There are many successful cases treated with acupuncture, homeopathy and other holistic modalities.
Tips for animals who are having trouble walking, or are actually paralyzed:

  1.  Start treatment when the very first hint of lameness appears. Often even apparently sudden disc problems have been giving some hints of problems. Many of the holistic modalities can be used even when you do not know if it is a wobbler, a slipped disc, a torn cruciate ligament, arthritis, spondylosis or other problem. Combined with noting any of the early warning signs, you can evaluate treatment, even for very a slight lameness. These vibrational treatments may prevent future problems.
  2. If there is sudden lameness or paralysis, do check with your integrative veterinarian, and begin the treatments listed under injury.
  3. If you have a specific diagnosis and the conventional veterinarians are pressing for surgery, be sure you have given holistic modalities a good try as many individuals with serious lameness or paralysis can be helped.
One dog I treated very early in my homeopathic career was a dachshund with… you guessed it…a slipped disc. He had been paralyzed for several weeks, they could not afford surgery and philosophically were opposed to it and the drugs had not helped. They had to express the bladder, the stool fell out, the tail did not wag and he could not support any weight on his rear legs. After several days of a homeopathic remedy that matched his symptoms (Hypericum) he was improving and within a month he was completely normal.

Cancer treatment for meningioma was $14,400 and I wonder about quality and length of life. Integrative treatment, if successful would be less, though only a moderate percentage of cancers respond to treatment.

Major takehome points:

  1. Begin to work now with an integrative veterinarian so you have someone to call for any problems.
  2. Pay attention to every change, and begin holistic treatment sooner rather than later (keeping a journal really helps you stay aware.)
  3. While conventional treatment certainly has its place, be sure you have explored the alternatives first, or as soon as possible. You can use holistic modalities while conventional treatment is occurring.
  4. Learn Reiki and always have Rescue Remedy or another Emergency Essence on hand.