Page 10 - Spring 19

continued from page 7
An important difference between UK-based and Japan-based patients is that our practices in Japan predominantly treat small animals. Livestock is not a concern for many private vets in Japan, especially those practicing homeopathy. In my clinic, for example, 100% of my patients are dogs, cats, and exotic animals like rabbits, hamsters, ferrets and small birds. The urban nature of many Japanese private clinics requires a different focus than that of many mixed practices in the UK. Moreover, our patients’ requirements tend to be demanding. People in Japan who adopt pets tend to personify their pets as children or grandchildren. This means euthanasia is incredibly rare and generally requested only when a pet is fatally ill with a very severe condition at the terminal stage of cancer or dementia. But, this only occurs when a pet owner is convinced that he/she cannot care for the animal. Chronic renal failure, for instance, is not curable, but my clients generally care for their pets until death. Homeopathy is very helpful in these situations, but this isn’t a focus in UK-based homeopathy. In Japan-based practices homeopathy is a very useful tool, but it’s used in conjunction with modern medicine. My clients, for
example,
prefer to
behavioral issues. In these cases, homeopathy is sought after when a patient is made aware of that option. Those of us in the JAVH are working towards promoting homeopathy as an incredibly valuable asset to vets across Japan as an addition to modern medicine, not a replacement. In Japan, homeopathy is generally an unproven science in a foreign language. Until homeopathy can be fully explained and described in Japanese it will be difficult to sell to Japanese vets and government officials. We can’t rely solely on theory. We require solid scientific data.
It is our sincere hope to adopt and mold various homeopathic treatments based on the UK model, however, this must be done taking into consideration Japanese societal norms. This requires proving of the scientific merits of homeopathy beyond a doubt. Once this has been accomplished, it will become possible to gain more support from other vets who then will help us in our
mission to have the government formally recognize and regulate the field of homeopathy in Japan.
Without the endorsement of the government, homeopathy can never become a mainstream medical
treatment in Japan.
utilize
scientific methods to unfamiliar homeopathy with the exception of
8
proven