My dog needs to visit the vet... Need vet/vet tech advice. And holistic or conventional?

Question

First of all, I'm poor. I've got a part-time job and am in grad school.

I'm a big fan of holistic medicine and have often given my dog (and myself) herbs and homeopathy and things that have made a big difference in his health.

He's 13 years old and recently he's developed some bladder problems. Yesterday he actually started peeing in the house, which is really unusual for him. He gets a number of kidney supporting herbs/supplements (such as cranberry). When I started giving this to him, it seemed to improve a lot, but now it's gotten bad again.

So my dilemma: I'd really like to take him to a holistic vet. From my preliminary research, the holistic vets in the area are expensive and don't have immediate openings... One I found that sounded good I'd need to wait about 2 weeks for an appointment.

1. Do you think that, given the symptoms I described, it would be OK to wait a couple weeks to have him seen by a vet?

(more...)

2. Do you think that a holistic vet would be a good match for his symptoms?

3. Do you think that I should get blood work, urine tests or whatever other tests needs to be done at our regular vet (immediately) and then go to the holistic vet when they have an opening? I really don't want to do this because that would mean two office visits to two vets and just stepping into a vet's office is expensive.

But holistic vets can check for all of the things (kidney stones, diabetes, etc.) that conventional vets can, right?

And the vet I'm looking at also uses conventional medicine. It just seems to me like I've got more options with a holistic vet.

It isn't the problem of money that makes me wait 2 weeks. It's the problem that the earliest appointment I can get with a holistic vet is in 2 weeks.

Majestikmoose: I don't know where you live, but where I live there seems to be far more people wanting holistic care than doctors to provide it (even though there are a dozen doctors in my area).

So, as much as I don't like it, the law of supply and demand says that they should be more expensive than a regular vet.

One place that I called that had both holistic and conventional vets charged about twice as much for an office visit wtih the holistic vet.

Answer 1

He needs blood work, urinalysis, possible X-Rays(stone), possible tumor, kidney, liver, diabetes or etc. Or hopefully could just be a bladder infection. What was working for him, isn't any longer. I wouldn't wait 2 Weeks, no way. He should be seen ASAP. You may want to check with the vet some will hold a check for a week or two? What's best for him? Is he in pain (don't know, he can't talk) for his sake take him in. Best of Luck and hope he's okay.

Answer 2

I've found that holistic vet care goes hand in hand with traditional vet care. My dog sees both a "regular" vet and a holistic vet.

If I were in your position, I would probably take a urine sample to the regular vet and see if they can find out what the problem is. It may be something as simple as a urinary tract infection. A simple urinalysis shouldn't be too costly and will at least give you a starting point.

Then you can treat it holistically if you prefer. Might be able to save yourself a trip to the holistic vet. Or, by the time you get your appointment with the holistic vet your dog may be feeling better and you can keep the appointment and just use it as a consultation to see if there are any other things you can/should be doing.

Answer 3

I am sorry to comment, without malice, but a homoeopathic or holistic vet, is also a regular and qualified vet. A vet cannot call himself/herself a vet, unless they have the appropriate qualifications.

The important issue here is the dog is 13 and so far you have managed to handle him with natural products. Although it is true to say that each animal has a certain life span, at 13 we need to prepare for the autumn years. It is possible that further homoeopathy can help. You've given him cranberry juice which worked, so upgrade this to the triple juice or add triple fruit cranberry, bilberry and blueberry. I can get you the Herbalife products, which is excellent. If you have a friend who is an HBL distributor ask them to order this for you. Next mix raspberry or other berry fruit with live yoghurt. See how this affects his bladder. If he has potentially gall stones, you may wish to try and find a Chinese Herbalist and get a product called Gold Leaf. There is an excellent Chinese Herbalise in Canada who sells this. I do not know her name, but she is the only one who provides these.

Once you switch over to traditional pharmaceutical products, you'll be interfering with the natural immune system and this can lead to other problems, so stay natural for as long as you can. If the problem continues or becomes worse, you can always visit an orthodox vet. My brother's dog is 14 and he and his wife will only take their animals to the alternative vets, as it has been proven in continental Europe that these are far more effective than traditional interventions.

Pulsatilla is a good product for the hormones and general strengthening of the immune system. It will not hurt to keep him on that for a while. You know when to stop. I cured my b*tch from Pyometria which conventional medicine claim to be impossible. My sister-in-Law had a cat with 2 weeks left to live. She changed this cat onto a macrobiotic diet. The cat had a liver or spleen damage. She lived another 7 years. Absolutely no dairy products and no meat or fish. Imagine what is left for this cat to eat? As she slowly improved, fish was reintroduced to the food and a little piece of cheese. Live Yoghurt, Cottage Cheese, Fresh Soy block to replace the protein.

So long as the heart is healthy, you have a long stretch ahead of you. Don't give up. Be diligent and vigilant as it requires focused attention and concentrated timed feeding, which I'm sure you do not mind. Good luck.

Answer 4

I'd take the dog in to see a conventional vet first since you can't get in to see a holistic vet at the moment. They can pull the blood work and urinalysis, palpate for the organs, etc. Depending on what they think and find would determine my next step. If you do need to see the holistic vet, be sure to take a copy of what the conventional vet finds with you or have them fax it to the holistic vet.

The one thing I would probaly definately do though, is start using distilled water with the dog as that would reduce the amount of minerals and other things that may be coursing through him from the water he drinks.

Answer 5

a holistic vet is a real vet, with additional holistic training. They are vets first, and do have to complete vet school. They just opt to take the holistic route. Therefor, they will be able to test for kidney/bladder problems. They do the same things to find problems(like x-rays and blood testing) they just differ in their approach of treatment. Real healing vs. symptom treatment.
A holistic vet should not be any more expensive than a regular vet, either way, you are going to be shelling out money. I would rather pay one fee for a good holistic vet than two(one foe the trad. vet and one for the holistic when the trad. doesn't work)

Answer 6

I too am a fan of alternate homeopathic remedies if they "fit". Urinary tract infections are caused by either bacteria or e-coli which need antibiotics. There are no over-the-counter meds., diets or herbal remedies that I know of that will clear up a UTI. I used d-Mannose with one of my pups that went back to back UTIs AFTER she'd been on the meds., it's a natural supplement that flushes e-coli out of the bladder. Since your dog is a senior I'd recommend taking him to the conventional vet for a urine/kidney check soon, I would if it were my dog. Good luck.

Answer 7

Your dog is 13 y/o he needs proper medical care not and I say that with the most respect for alternative medicine. I think it's good for a rash but not for a kidney or liver disease. At his age his kidney may be failing him, only a blood sample will tell you. Your dog is at an age where you will have to accept spending more money on his medical care. See the vet now and put aside your personal preferences for the sake of your 13 y/o companion.

Answer 8

I'd take him to the regular vet first, just to rule out any kidney stones / infections, etc.

In reality, it's probably just old age and there is probably not much a regular or holistic vet could do for him...

Answer 9

Sorry, I can't answer about holistic vets.. But you should try applecider vinegar in the drinking water..
1tsp in each bowl of water he gets. Get the Natural kind w/ the ' Mother ' we use the Braggs Applecider vinegar..

It PHs the system.. I have found that it makes even puppies have an easier time to ' hold it ' as tho urine is irriating and the vinegar makes it neutral and easier to hold.. Less likely to have urgent accidents.

Answer 10

take him to a real vet. He is old and probably needs a through exam. Yes, it is expensive, and he is old, but, he is your responsiblility. Holistic has its place, in this case I am thinking that a vet would be better suited.