For millenia, the dogs and cats of the world were often treated with home remedies when in need of medical care. For food they hunted or ate whatever the family tossed their way, which often depended on what part of the world they lived in. Could be fish, eggs, milk, meaty bones, or whatever else came their way. Most of this “food” was raw when consumed, fresh and locally grown. Along came the 20th century, the industrial revolution, and small family farms were replaced by large scale agricultural facilities and conveniently packaged and processed food. Food that was shipped from hundreds, even thousands of miles away, was often frozen, refrigerated or cooked if not placed in chemical preservatives. And pets began to eat grain based commercial diets.
At the same time home remedies began to replaced by western Medicine and the health care of animals began to change. I need to make on point clear, I am a western trained small animal veterinarian, and I believe in the value western medicine offers. I also believe there are often other methods of medical care we can utelize which is often as effective or at times, more so. I believe in order to offer the best medical care to our patients and clients, it is in everyone’s best interest to use integrative medicine. Raw diets, herbals, acupuncture and acupressure, homeopathy, and many other methods have been used with great success.
Aromatherapy, the healing use of essential oils and hydrosols is a more recent addition to our tool chest. It is increasingly popular because it is so versatile. We can use it with or in combination with other conventional, alternative, complementary or holistic treatments. And even more importantly, it works.
It is very important to point out that, like other medicianl modalities, aromatherapy can be dangerous if used incorrectly. The highest quality essential oils must be used, they must be diluted and they must be used appropriately. And I am able to offer the use of essential oils in a safe and effective method.
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