Homeopathy
In homeopathy, we use infinitesimal doses to stimulate healing processes within the body. It works quite without the
risk of toxicity or side-effects. It is able to achieve results in serious chronic diseases which have proven refractory to
modern conventional methodology. Homeopathy is not exclusively confined to the use of extreme dilutions but that is usual
practice. The phenomenon is linked to bio-energetics. Attempts to explain the efficacy by pharmacological and biochemical
principles will always fail. Common conditions treated are: allergy, atopy, chronic diarrhoea, asthma, COPD, CDRM, arthritis,
spondylosis, head shaking (head-shaking, headshaking), cancer, auto-immune (autoimmune) disorders, viral and bacterial infectious
diseases, periodic ophthalmia (recurrent uveitis, moonblindness, moon blindness), urticaria, colitis, irritable bowel disease,
behavioural problems, vestibular syndrome, laminitis, sweet itch (sweetitch), mud fever, pyoderma, eczema etc.
In the UK, only a vet may prescribe homeopathy for your animal.
Acupuncture
A part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture is usually understood to mean the stimulation of points on
the body (acupuncture points) with needles. Points can also, however, be stimulated by LASER, heat (moxibustion), electic
charge (electro-acupuncture), finger or other pressure (acupressure) or heat (moxibustion). It is surprisingly well-accepted
or even enjoyed by our animal patients, with animals frequently entering a state of deep relaxation. Acupuncture is particularly useful
for its pain-control capability but it is used for more general illness, too. Common conditions treated are: disc disease,
paralysis, back pain, CDRM, head shaking (head-shaking, headshaking), hip dysplasia, arthritis, cruciate ligament injury,
periodic ophthalmia (recurrent ophthalmia, recurrent uveitis, moonblindness), prostate hypertrophy etc.
In the UK, only a vet may perform acupuncture on your animal. Even when a vet employs or 'oversees a non-veterinary
acupuncturist, that is illegal.
Herbal Medicine
The use of plants as medicine is as old as mankind himself. Man and animals are capable of instinctive self-medication
(zoopharmacognosy). The medical use of plants, whether as part of TCM, part of Ayurvedic Medicine or part of Western
traditional medicine is the fore-runner of conventional drug medicine but uses the natural plant, in a holistic manner. As
a result, the spectre of side-effects, so much a feature of modern patented drugs, is very rare. Common conditions for which
we may prescribe herbs are: allergy, COPD, asthma, bronchitis, skin problems, arthritis, digestive problems, behavioural issues,
anxiety, nervousness, urinary problems (kidney, bladder) etc.
In the UK, only a vet may prescribe herbs for your animal. Because much money is to be made, there are many herbal products
out there, made available with variable respect for the law.
Aromatherapy
The use of essential oils provides a very powerful and rapidly-acting way of delivering a type of herbal medicine. The
so-called essential oils are the many and various volatile componds of plants, obtained by distillation. Since the medicines
are very powerful and not without side-effect, they must be used with great care.
In the UK, only a vet may prescribe aromatherapy for your animal. There are many illegal practitioners who offer their
services for animals and claim an 'animal qulaification'. They also claim not to diagnose and not to prescribe. However, the
fact remains, if they are not vets, they are not legal.
Bach Flowers and other Flower Essences
This is a form of energy medicine, using the emotional, psychological and mental state as a prescribing pivot. Despite
this, these medicines can treat physical disease.
In the UK, only a vet may prescribe flower essences for your animal.
Chiropractic manipulation
Using a very rapid and gentle technique for triggering realignment of the vertebral column and other skeletal components,
chiropractic work can provide a very important support for other medicine. The internal organs are innervated fromt he segmental
nerves, just as are the muscles and skin. Body function and balance, not just musculo-skeltally, can be aided significantly
by integrated chiropractic work. Acupuncture will depend upon it, for proper success, in many cases.
Natural feeding
At the AVMC, we advise on the provision of a natural, fresh and species-suitable diet for each and every
patient. We consider this as an essential platform, upon which we can start to rebuild the health of our patients. Processed
food is a health oxymoron.
We advocate the purchase of organic ingredients, at all times. However, certain foods MUST be organic for good health
(see 'Feed Your Dog the Natural Way' by Christopher Day, which can be ordered from our office.