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Illness & aging

THE ISSUE: When sickness strikes, conventional veterinary medicine often turns to drugs and invasive (and expensive) surgery before trying natural remedies. For life-and-death emergencies, Anita Bothwell, an expert in animal naturopathy, doesn’t hesitate to send clients to the vet immediately. “But if it’s not an emergency,” she says, “I encourage my clients to consider natural remedies instead.”

One man, for example, contacted Bothwell,  about his dog’s eye infection; she counseled him on how to treat it at home by mixing 1 cup boiled and cooled water with ¼ teaspoon salt and using the solution to clean the eye several times a day. “He also had chamomile tea, so I suggested he add about a half-teaspoon brewed tea to the eyewash or hold the cooled tea bag over the dog’s eye for five to ten minutes after the eyewash,” she says. “This worked like a charm, and the eye infection cleared up in less than a week, requiring little effort and no additional expense.”

Holistic remedies benefit aging pets, too. Arthritis, in particular, responds to acupuncture, chiropractic care, carefully chosen foods and nutritional supplements.

THE SOLUTION: If you already have a trusted veterinarian, discuss trying holistic remedies and complementary treatments, such as pet massage for pain management, acupuncture for kidney and liver diseases, and herbal remedies for behavioral issues (see “Good Dog,” page 23). To find a certified animal naturopathy practitioner in your area or one who offers online consultations, check ACAN’s website, animalnaturopathy.org, or the Vet Finder search on the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association’s website, ahvma.org.

TRY: Love My Pet Kidney-Bladder Relief; Flora Udo’s Choice Pet Essentials for Dogs; Halo Grain Free Senior Dog Holistic Wild Salmon & Whitefish Recipe