Hollistic Vet or Traditional? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Kaylee0520 · 08-03-2010, 04:20 AM

I am looking for opinions and experiences the topic of hollistic care or your regular vet?

Yesterday we lost Kaylee our 5 year old yorkie to ITP and anemia.

Here's my original post:

"Kaylee my 5 year old yorkie has been dealing with a skin issue for the past year. We have seen many vets and have spent thousands in the last year. Joey our 2 year old yorkie had the same skin issue but never as bad. Kaylee and Joey have the same parents.

Recently, we took Kaylee to another vet and was presrcibed simpliecf and and a weekly oral injection of ivomec. About 2-3 days later I noticed her lower nipple was inflammed. A few days later her second nipple up was now innflammed. I made a vet apt for the next day and the day of the apt I came home from work to bruises on her body, blood coming out from her nipples and black diaherra.

Vet told me she had ITP, Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia which is a diesease in which her body is attacking her platelets. She is now on prednicolone, misoprostol, vit k, prilosec otc and carafate. She used to be on doxycycline too. She is now anemic and had a injection of vinchristine yesterday.

This morning she seemed ok and was acting like she did about 5 days ago. She is back to being lethargic this afternoon. She has problems walking, I assume from her red blood cell count being so low that she is extremely tired.

We had xrays due to rule out any internal bleeding or tumors.

She doesn't want to eat, however we try to feed her whatever we can."

Heartbroken-
Kristy

Brooklyn'smommy · 08-03-2010, 04:32 AM

Kristy, I don't know much about holisitic vet care but I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry for your loss and all that you went through with your furry baby. Bless you.

lukes · 08-03-2010, 06:52 PM

Kristy,

There are some Vets that practice both holistic and traditional. If you look around sometimes you can get the best of both worlds..

PrincessDiana · 08-03-2010, 06:52 PM

I started seeing a holistic vet a year ago and was iffy about it until today - when I decided to see my traditional vet. Maggie needed a dental but our holistic vet is about an hour away. Normally this isn't a problem because we only go twice a year. However, since it is technically a "surgical" procedure, I would have had to drive out there, drive back, wait a couple of hours, drive back out and drive back again. That's over 4 hours of just travel time. Our traditional vet seemed like a better option at the time.

After today, I know without a doubt that the driving the hour is absolutely worth it. Just to have the dental procedure, Maggie had to have a DHPP booster even though she wasn't due for it for another year. This vet wouldn't honor her last one as a 3-year. Not only that but it cost me $40!

Price is not a problem when it comes to my babies but I felt so ripped off. My holistic vet charges $21. I also paid almost double for a heartworm check. The actual office staff and vet are fine I just feel like they are more concerned with money than anything else.

My holistic vet is knowledgeable about and even advocates raw feeding -- a big plus for us! She also believes in vaccinating as little as possible so we only vaccinate every 3 years and we alternate the rabies and DHPP to reduce a chance of a reaction. She prescribes herbal supplement and natural remedies more often than medicine and relies on muscle testing to help diagnose the entire health of the dog, not just whatever problem is present at the time. It's just wonderful. It's so nice to see a doctor that feels like an ally, not an enemy. I would definitely recommend you at least visit with a holistic vet to see if their medicinal practices line up with your personal health care beliefs.

I will add that she practices both holistic and traditional medicine and we get the best of both worlds! Sometimes you really do need medicine.

Ellie May · 08-04-2010, 07:05 AM

I think it depends almost entirely on what your "style" is as far as dog care goes and what you are comfortable with.

My preference is western med, so nobody could pay me enough to go to an exclusively holistic vet. I don't like it and am not comfortable. I would be ok with a traditional vet incorporating a small amount of holistic med into their practice, although I would not choose those services for Ellie (generally speaking, there are exceptions like certain supplements, etc.). But when I say I prefer traditional, I don't mean vaccinating every year and such. I'd run far away from a vet who insisted on that kind of thing.

107barney · 08-04-2010, 04:07 PM

I prefer a traditional veterinarian, but I like ones that are open minded. Our current vet is very modernized (AAHA accredited hospital) but she is totally open minded to holistic approaches. She is supportive of my decision-making and not arrogant like many of the vets I've dropped before.

Princess Diana - I would be reporting that vet to my state veterinary board for forcing a vaccination if I were "required" to give a vaccine booster as collateral for a dental procedure when my dog was not due.. I'd be blowing my top for sure. Infuriating.

LuvMySissy · 08-04-2010, 05:08 PM

I am so sorry for the loss of your precious baby.

Technically, my vet (and the clinic she works in) are very traditional. However, my vet has her own opinions outside what the clinic specifies and since I'm not shy about demanding what I want, she has been able to share them with me and the way she handles my girls. She is also an advocate of raw food and minimal vaccinations.

I have consulted with, and still work with, Susan Davis - a certified pet nutritionist who works out the Arroyo Veterinary Hospital in Southern California with Dr. Gordon, who is a holisitic vet. It is my opinion that Sissy is still with me and doing very well because of their expertise.

I am also a fan of holistic human care as well. I personal utilize chiropractic care, massage and yoga/meditation for good health myself. If I could afford accupuncture and other holistic principles that most health insurances don't cover, I'd be all over that as well!!!

lisaly · 08-04-2010, 05:59 PM

I am so sorry about your loss of Kaylee. I understand how painful it is for you, as we just lost our little girl, Ashley, in June.. Her veterinarian practices both holistic and conventional medicine. With his brilliance and compassion, he helped to keep Ashley active, mostly healthy, and alive for almost 17 years. Ashley and her two sisters were not easy to give pills to, so herbs were especially difficult for us, but they did help them when we used them. I went to him for fifteen years, and I have met many people there. He is only half an hour from me, but over the years I have met many people who travel several hours away to see him. There are many people that I have talked to that were sent to him as a last resort for conditions that other doctors couldn't help or where conventional medicine had too many side effects, and he has been able to save many animals. I always loved going there, seeing people who would do anything to help their animals and hearing them tell, in many cases, miraculous stories. I can't speak for all holistic veterinarians, but I never found him doing things just for the money it would bring into his practice. I wouldn't want to go to someone who only practiced holistic medicine, but I know I had the best of both worlds with Ashley's doctor. Below is a link about him. I know he is too far from you, but this very short article and clip discuss holistic medicine as an alternative to conventional medicine.

TODAYShow.com - The 'Miracle' Vet

keokis mom · 08-04-2010, 07:48 PM

Kristy- I am so sorry about your Kaylee- where in NY are you? I have an amazing vet and everyone in his practice is amazing- they practice a more holistic approach and before them I saw a traditional vet and would never go back. If you would like the name of my vet pm me. I am so sorry for your loss and am praying for you and your family

Sbyork · 08-06-2010, 02:16 PM

The best of both world is to find one that does both.
My vet Randy Aaronson is one of them. You might visit his website and maybe you could email himand he might know one in your area. He has been a blessing.
The vet clinic is P.A.W.S in Tucson. I know they have a wesite I just don't know the excate address
Worth a try! I love him
Sparklingbluyorkies.com

08-03-2010, 04:20 AM	#1
Kaylee0520 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 55 Blog Entries: 2	Hollistic Vet or Traditional? I am looking for opinions and experiences the topic of hollistic care or your regular vet? Yesterday we lost Kaylee our 5 year old yorkie to ITP and anemia. Here's my original post: "Kaylee my 5 year old yorkie has been dealing with a skin issue for the past year. We have seen many vets and have spent thousands in the last year. Joey our 2 year old yorkie had the same skin issue but never as bad. Kaylee and Joey have the same parents. Recently, we took Kaylee to another vet and was presrcibed simpliecf and and a weekly oral injection of ivomec. About 2-3 days later I noticed her lower nipple was inflammed. A few days later her second nipple up was now innflammed. I made a vet apt for the next day and the day of the apt I came home from work to bruises on her body, blood coming out from her nipples and black diaherra. Vet told me she had ITP, Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia which is a diesease in which her body is attacking her platelets. She is now on prednicolone, misoprostol, vit k, prilosec otc and carafate. She used to be on doxycycline too. She is now anemic and had a injection of vinchristine yesterday. This morning she seemed ok and was acting like she did about 5 days ago. She is back to being lethargic this afternoon. She has problems walking, I assume from her red blood cell count being so low that she is extremely tired. We had xrays due to rule out any internal bleeding or tumors. She doesn't want to eat, however we try to feed her whatever we can." Heartbroken- Kristy

08-03-2010, 06:52 PM	#4
PrincessDiana I ♥ Franklin & Maggie Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,068	I started seeing a holistic vet a year ago and was iffy about it until today - when I decided to see my traditional vet. Maggie needed a dental but our holistic vet is about an hour away. Normally this isn't a problem because we only go twice a year. However, since it is technically a "surgical" procedure, I would have had to drive out there, drive back, wait a couple of hours, drive back out and drive back again. That's over 4 hours of just travel time. Our traditional vet seemed like a better option at the time. After today, I know without a doubt that the driving the hour is absolutely worth it. Just to have the dental procedure, Maggie had to have a DHPP booster even though she wasn't due for it for another year. This vet wouldn't honor her last one as a 3-year. Not only that but it cost me $40! Price is not a problem when it comes to my babies but I felt so ripped off. My holistic vet charges $21. I also paid almost double for a heartworm check. The actual office staff and vet are fine I just feel like they are more concerned with money than anything else. My holistic vet is knowledgeable about and even advocates raw feeding -- a big plus for us! She also believes in vaccinating as little as possible so we only vaccinate every 3 years and we alternate the rabies and DHPP to reduce a chance of a reaction. She prescribes herbal supplement and natural remedies more often than medicine and relies on muscle testing to help diagnose the entire health of the dog, not just whatever problem is present at the time. It's just wonderful. It's so nice to see a doctor that feels like an ally, not an enemy. I would definitely recommend you at least visit with a holistic vet to see if their medicinal practices line up with your personal health care beliefs. I will add that she practices both holistic and traditional medicine and we get the best of both worlds! Sometimes you really do need medicine. __________________ Diana , Mommy to Franklin, Maggie, Oliver, and Millie - RIP Piper Last edited by PrincessDiana; 08-03-2010 at 06:56 PM.

08-04-2010, 07:05 AM	#5
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	I think it depends almost entirely on what your "style" is as far as dog care goes and what you are comfortable with. My preference is western med, so nobody could pay me enough to go to an exclusively holistic vet. I don't like it and am not comfortable. I would be ok with a traditional vet incorporating a small amount of holistic med into their practice, although I would not choose those services for Ellie (generally speaking, there are exceptions like certain supplements, etc.). But when I say I prefer traditional, I don't mean vaccinating every year and such. I'd run far away from a vet who insisted on that kind of thing. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

08-04-2010, 04:07 PM	#6
107barney T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England Posts: 9,816	I prefer a traditional veterinarian, but I like ones that are open minded. Our current vet is very modernized (AAHA accredited hospital) but she is totally open minded to holistic approaches. She is supportive of my decision-making and not arrogant like many of the vets I've dropped before. Princess Diana - I would be reporting that vet to my state veterinary board for forcing a vaccination if I were "required" to give a vaccine booster as collateral for a dental procedure when my dog was not due.. I'd be blowing my top for sure. Infuriating. __________________ T. Bumpkins & Co. Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy

08-04-2010, 05:08 PM	#7
LuvMySissy Luv my Angel, too! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: USA Posts: 9,333	I am so sorry for the loss of your precious baby. Technically, my vet (and the clinic she works in) are very traditional. However, my vet has her own opinions outside what the clinic specifies and since I'm not shy about demanding what I want, she has been able to share them with me and the way she handles my girls. She is also an advocate of raw food and minimal vaccinations. I have consulted with, and still work with, Susan Davis - a certified pet nutritionist who works out the Arroyo Veterinary Hospital in Southern California with Dr. Gordon, who is a holisitic vet. It is my opinion that Sissy is still with me and doing very well because of their expertise. I am also a fan of holistic human care as well. I personal utilize chiropractic care, massage and yoga/meditation for good health myself. If I could afford accupuncture and other holistic principles that most health insurances don't cover, I'd be all over that as well!!! __________________ Sissy & Angel

08-03-2010, 04:32 AM	#2
Brooklyn'smommy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 92	Kristy, I don't know much about holisitic vet care but I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry for your loss and all that you went through with your furry baby. Bless you.

08-03-2010, 06:52 PM	#3
lukes Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 142	Kristy, There are some Vets that practice both holistic and traditional. If you look around sometimes you can get the best of both worlds..

08-04-2010, 05:59 PM	#8
lisaly Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 5,891	I am so sorry about your loss of Kaylee. I understand how painful it is for you, as we just lost our little girl, Ashley, in June.. Her veterinarian practices both holistic and conventional medicine. With his brilliance and compassion, he helped to keep Ashley active, mostly healthy, and alive for almost 17 years. Ashley and her two sisters were not easy to give pills to, so herbs were especially difficult for us, but they did help them when we used them. I went to him for fifteen years, and I have met many people there. He is only half an hour from me, but over the years I have met many people who travel several hours away to see him. There are many people that I have talked to that were sent to him as a last resort for conditions that other doctors couldn't help or where conventional medicine had too many side effects, and he has been able to save many animals. I always loved going there, seeing people who would do anything to help their animals and hearing them tell, in many cases, miraculous stories. I can't speak for all holistic veterinarians, but I never found him doing things just for the money it would bring into his practice. I wouldn't want to go to someone who only practiced holistic medicine, but I know I had the best of both worlds with Ashley's doctor. Below is a link about him. I know he is too far from you, but this very short article and clip discuss holistic medicine as an alternative to conventional medicine. TODAYShow.com - The 'Miracle' Vet __________________ *Lisa and* Katie *Ashley 6/10,* *Gracie 2/04,* Kiwi 10/03, and Jolie 7/93 .

08-04-2010, 07:48 PM	#9
keokis mom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 503	Kristy- I am so sorry about your Kaylee- where in NY are you? I have an amazing vet and everyone in his practice is amazing- they practice a more holistic approach and before them I saw a traditional vet and would never go back. If you would like the name of my vet pm me. I am so sorry for your loss and am praying for you and your family

08-06-2010, 02:16 PM	#10
Sbyork Currently Suspended! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 243	The best of both world is to find one that does both. My vet Randy Aaronson is one of them. You might visit his website and maybe you could email himand he might know one in your area. He has been a blessing. The vet clinic is P.A.W.S in Tucson. I know they have a wesite I just don't know the excate address Worth a try! I love him Sparklingbluyorkies.com