Holistic Care: 22 years in 500 words

Once upon a time, I had a cat who suffered from flea allergies. He'd been on steroids for ten years, had tumors in his ears, and spent the late summer hairless and covered in scabs.



I was browsing in the book section of a pet supply store, and opened Dr. Pictairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. "We need to look at the whole picture of an illness and find therapies that will work with the whole body – not against it – in the healing process," I read. "To me, that is what constitutes a true cure. I often use the term 'holistic' to describe this approach to medicine. Unlike many who use the word, I do not equate it with 'natural', for it is certainly possible to use natural methods such as herbs, vitamins, and exercise but still fail to see the overall picture of what is happening."



What is needed, he said, "Is an entirely new understanding, not just the substitution of a vitamin for an antibiotic, or a mineral for a hormone."



I changed my cat's diet to one of the homemade recipes in Dr. Pitcairn's book, and he never itched again. Then I switched my other cats, and began an exploration of natural and holistic medicine that's lasted until today.



Which is why it comes as such a shock to so many of my holistic brethren when I go on one of my semi-patented diatribes against people who won't do diagnostic testing or use antibiotics. "Christie," they mutter darkly, "isn't holistic enough."



But you know what? I think I'm more holistic than they are. Because holistic isn't about the substances you use; it's about how you think.



It's about looking at the whole animal and his or her whole environment, genetics, and lifestyle. It's about making the best, most informed decision possible using all available resources, the one that relieves suffering and illness without doing harm. Balancing risk and benefit. Not seeing the animal as a collection of parts, but as a living creature in a dynamic environment.



And no, it's not always easy, but with practice and knowledge it becomes easier. You learn to stretch your mind and stop mindlessly applying band aids to gaping wounds, be those band aids an herb or an antibiotic. You learn to stop dismissing a modality out of hand just because it doesn't fit in with your preconceived notions.



Don't get me wrong. Skepticism is good. In fact, when you start talking to the snake oil salesmen from Big Pharma and the herbal supplement industry, I'd say it's essential. But knee-jerk skepticism is bad. Making your mind up and shutting out new information, new evidence, and facts you don't like? Very, very bad.



Herbert Spencer once said, "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance – that principle is contempt prior to investigation."



That principle works both ways.

Comments

[The OTHER Pat]

Here's another one I came across recently in - of all places - a science fiction novel!



"Nothing limits intelligence more than ignorance.



"Nothing fosters ignorance more than one's own opinions.



"Nothing strengthens opinions more than refusing to look at reality."



Sheri Tepper "The Visitor" 2002



(I like it!)

[Megan]

*applause*



Our Holistic Club meetings start every year with a talk from our faculty advisor, in which she reminds us that you can have a very holistic practitioner who doesn't use a single herb or acupuncture needle, and you can have a clinic without a pill or artificial chemical in sight that practices very un-holistic medicine.

[Colorado Transplant]

Investigation before judgment--a great concept!



I, myself, believe in using traditional and holistic medicine for me and my pets.



Whatever will heal and not harm is what I use.



I like the idea of healing the whole animal, not just the symtoms.



Wouldn't it be wonderful if more doctors and veterinarians would go this route.



I also believe, contrary to some veterinarians, that animals can catch a few viral infections from humans and that humans can catch some germs from animals. Maybe that belief will prove true at some point.



Great piece of writing on this subject, Christie--and I like The OTHER Pat's quote a lot, also.

[Janeen]

" ...holistic isn’t about the substances you use; it’s about how you think."



That completely and absolutely sums it up in one lovely sentence.



In fact, I may need to steal that quote (of course giving you credit!!!)



Well Done!

[Lola]

So beautifully summed up, yet so succinct. The primary point: work towards the well-being of the patient, not the well-being of the theory. Bravo!

[kb]

Now if I could just find a vet that thinks like Christie.

[Carol]

I'm so fortunate to have a vet that respects my wishes. They are excellent traditional vets but are open to holistic methods - sometimes at my suggestion and sometimes by theirs. I believe in using every reasonable method available to keep my pets happy and healthy.



Christie - I read your piece a few weeks ago about the extraordinary challenges you faced in keeping one of your dogs alive due to kidney failure, and the dilemma in deciding when enough is enough. I faced a similar challenge a few weeks ago with a little cat about 3 yrs old who never had much of a life. Reading that article helped immensely in making my own decision. I know this is "off topic" but wanted to express my appreciation.

[emily]

I think there is a propblem with the term holistic. Because even as a person very vehement about literal holism (taking into account lifestyle, relationships, psychology, agnecy and the whole animal in every sense fo the word) I hear the term used most often in relation to things like aura cleansing, pet whispering and other practices that I consider overly credulous. While this term relate to everything from appropriate feeding to psychic messages from dolphins and their alien friends there will always be an acceptability problem.

[Cardimom]

Maybe it's just where I'm at in my life, but ak I was reading, I kept thinking 'Replace food/medication/whatever with training (or whatever you want to call it)and you've summed up a thinking persons approach to dog (animal) training!' This paragraph in particular struck me.



It’s about looking at the whole animal and his or her whole environment, genetics, and lifestyle. It’s about making the best, most informed decision possible using all available resources, the one that relieves suffering and illness without doing harm. Balancing risk and benefit. Not seeing the animal as a collection of parts, but as a living creature in a dynamic environment.



Don't get me wrong, the intended point of the post is striking too. Like I said, it must just be where I'm coming from mentally. . .

[Keeper of the Catnip]

What a lovely post Christie. A phenomenal articulation of concepts I have until now not been able to give words. Having just recently buried a beloved feline friend of 24 years, I can certainly attest to the power of holistic animal care. Miss Cali died of her own will, free of any debilitating disease. She died of old age, as I wish it could be for all animals.



I find comfort in knowing there is such a devoted group of like-minds on the planet. I've heard it said that it only takes a small percentage(3%?) of devoted individuals coming together to create great shifts. As I embark on fulfilling my greatest dream (becoming a holistic veterinarian) I am realizing that there is a growing number of students who are in fact looking toward a more complementary and holistic veterinary career. The future will bring more holistic veterinarians to satisfy the desire of holistic pet guardians in the world.



Here's a video that the readers of this feed might like if they haven't already discovered it:

Dr. DoMore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84RLMs4BHSo

[Keeper of the Catnip]

Ooops.... http://www.drdomore.com/

[Lisa]

Thank you for so eloquently articulating the concept of holism. So many, it seems, fail to understand what should be obvious. I am so very tired of those who take the concept of "natural" to illogical extremes, who make so-called natural rearing into a religion. To me such individuals are as hard to bear, as narrow-minded, as those who discount every modality that has not been proven by a flurry of double-blind studies. I want what is best for my dogs, and I do not want to be ridiculed for endorsing homeopathy any more than I want to be labeled a "murderer" for euthanizing a dog who is starving to death owing to liver failure. Natural is not always preferable, and science does not have all the answers.

[Mark Bullock]

Wonderful article--wish more vets like you existed