Homeopathy works for pets - not placebo effect then?

[Guest guest]

Alternative medicine proves pet-friendly July 9, 2006

(Courtesy ZEUS INFO SERVICE)

By Suzanne Ellis

http://www.sundaytribune.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=160 & fArticleId=3330119

In Durban, three committed professionals offer specialised holistic help for

pets - veterinary homeopath Dr Jane Fraser, physiotherapist Hewitson and

chiropractor Dr Tammy Meuwese. These women are highly trained in their fields -

which involves a thorough medical background.

A graduate of the Royal School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, Fraser has

practised veterinary medicine around the world. After graduating, she developed

an interest in complementary therapies and began looking at applying them to

animals.

" As I became more aware of different options for treatment, I realised the value

of natural forms of medicine and how successful they could be, " said Fraser.

Her natural choice was homeopathy and she went on to study for a post-graduate

veterinary homeopathic course in London as well as training in animal

acupuncture. She has treated animals holistically for more than 20 years.

Hewitson completed the required four years of standard human physiotherapy

training and five years clinical experience in Britain before coming to South

Africa.

Equine therapy

" As a professional physiotherapist, you have to work on humans before you can

work on animals, " said Hewitson.

" I have spent the past six years training in animal physiotherapy and have

attended numerous animal physiotherapy conferences as well as training in equine

therapy. "

Hewitson recently established the Kloof Animal Rehab Centre. Meuwese, a

chiropractic graduate of the Durban Institute of Technology, has studied in her

chosen field for eight years and been in practice for one.

" I studied chiropractic with the object of treating animals. After I completed

the course at the DIT, I did a post-graduate course in animal chiropractic in

the United States. I have a passion for animals and treating them is my

calling. "

This calling is common to all three, yet despite their impressive training,

knowledge and expertise, they are often only approached when conventional

veterinary medicine has failed.

" I often get cases after people have tried everything else, " said Fraser who

runs a private practice in Glenwood.

" They are chronic in nature and most animals have already received a great deal

of medication and the owners are desperate. "

While Fraser is qualified to treat the gamut of problems and diseases facing

animal, Meuwese and Hewitson are essentially physical therapists. Their hands

have the sensitivity to find problem areas and make clinical assessments and

adjustments.

Both deal primarily with musculoskeletal problems, injuries, post-operative and

soft-tissue trauma, joint diseases, post-operative rehabilitation and the like.

But their training and techniques differ as physiotherapy and chiropractic are

specialist fields in their own right.

Fraser, on the other hand, applies her veterinary skills to assess appropriate

treatment.

" The emphasis is on treating the whole animal, not just the symptoms, " she said.

" I take a detailed case history because all factors are vital in establishing

the best forms of treatment. I need the animal's previous medical history and

information on its personality, habits, relationship with other people and

animals, as well as its environment.

" Instead of treating all animals with the same basic drugs used in conventional

treatment, I look carefully at each animal's individual requirements and then

prescribe supplements and homeopathic remedies and advise on dietary

modification. If required, I will administer acupuncture. But if the animal

needs the expertise of a physiotherapist or chiropractor, I will refer to

or Tammy. "

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Word-of-mouth

Pet owners most often find their way to one of these therapists by

word-of-mouth; vets are reticent to accept the role complementary therapies can

play. There are, however, a few vets who do refer clients.

A popular, high-profile and respected vet - who chose to remain anonymous for

ethical reasons - said, " Natural therapies definitely have an important role to

play and they will be used more and more in the future. Although I do get a lot

of criticism from other vets, I work closely with Fraser on a number of cases -

especially those where Western medicine can't give me answers. "

While many vets may be wary of natural therapies, Hewitson, Meuwese and Fraser

all believe it is imperative to work closely with veterinary professionals.

Meuwese, who runs a private practice in Westville, also works from a couple of

practices in the Highway area. She said, " Although most of my clientele come

from word-of-mouth, I have developed a good relationship with some vets and am

earning their respect. They are becoming more relaxed about me treating

animals. "

" If people contact me directly, I always inform the vet concerned to discuss the

case and the treatment, " says Hewitson.

" If you don't have a medical diagnosis, you don't really know what's going on. "

Progress

And Fraser said, " It is important to work under referral from a vet as you need

to communicate and assess the progress of a case and what other treatments may

be necessary. "

Although natural therapies do not necessarily provide a " quick fix " , the results

are often dramatic, long-term and free from drug side-effects.

" Chronic conditions are not easy to treat, " warns Fraser. " People must be aware

that these can take time and effort. "

Many pet owners who were previously unaware that these therapies are available

for animals, now sing their praises.

Murray turned to Hewitson when her 7-year-old dachshund Honey was

paralysed.

" was absolutely marvellous, " enthuses Murray.

" I was totally amazed by her sensitivity to the animal. A lot of people just put

dachshunds down when they're injured. They should be made aware that there are

other options. "

After Flugal the cat was run over, he suffered internal injuries that caused him

to vomit.

" He couldn't keep any food down at all and lost a great deal of weight, "

explains owner Joss Armstrong.

" The vet did investigative procedures and tried various treatments. Nothing

worked. Eventually he suggested I try Fraser. I was a bit unsure, but it was our

only hope.

" Fraser gave Flugal homeopathic remedies as well as homeopathic injections

around his stomach. It took about 10 days before we started seeing results, but

he eventually stopped being sick as often and could keep down small amounts of

food. After three months he'd completely recovered.

" I don't know how this stuff works, but it definitely works. I am delighted with

the results and Flugal has never looked back. "

And Shanna Guilfoyle's boerbul Dudley has become a regular patient of Tammy's.

She treated him for hip dysplasia and now he looks forward to his monthly

maintenance visits.

" Dudley absolutely loves Tammy and I am very happy with the treatment she

provides, " said Guilfoyle.

Although many veterinary professionals remain sceptical, some are taking baby

steps into the field, using a few basic herbal and homeopathic remedies in their

practices; others are taking giant leaps and are actually studying veterinary

homeopathy.

Twenty-two vets from around the country are attending a post graduate course run

by UK-based Homeopathic Professional Teaching Group that has been organised

locally by Fraser.

One of the vets attending, Dr Sheila Clow, has found that the course has

expanded her horizons.

" Homeopathy is fascinating. I now know there is far more to offer than just

allopathic medicine. A lot of vets are dismissive of it, but people shouldn't

judge what they don't understand. "

" Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest

of life by the power of the spirit. " - Aurobindo.

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[Guest guest]

Just off to the vets this afternoon with my 13 year old dog.

Sadly the homeopathic vet they had on their team has retired (yes, Trevor

Sue!) and there doesn't seem to be any others in my area :>(

<sigh> I guess I will just have to guess what to use.

cheers,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Come on over to ClassicalHomeopathyPets:

ClassicalHomeopathyPets/ There is a list of

homeopaths there that do long distance consultations. Our dog's homeopath

is about 600+ miles away. She has clients all over the world. It's worked

out great for us.

HTH

Kay

Re:Homeopathy works for pets - not placebo effect

then?

> Just off to the vets this afternoon with my 13 year old dog.

>

> Sadly the homeopathic vet they had on their team has retired (yes, Trevor

> Sue!) and there doesn't seem to be any others in my area :>(

>

> <sigh> I guess I will just have to guess what to use.

>

> cheers,

>