Page 4 - Winter 16

A New Years Resolution – and Reflections by Wendy Dixon, NZ
Since moving to New Zealand in 2014 I have been working in a very large conventional mixed animal practice. It was quite an eye opener after being in a small, companion animal practice for so long. I was unsure as to what reception I would receive regarding my holistic interests, but at the most it has varied from kind-hearted teasing, interest and some referral of cases, to indifference. One of the vets had worked in a practice with a vet homeopath whilst in the UK (I won’t name names!) and did comment that he did seem to do very well with the behaviour cases, however my colleague was still a sceptic! As usual the nurses always seem to get on board quicker than the vets.
My focus initially has been to be a very good conventional vet, and to be fair many clients do not want any more than this, preferring the convenience of the quick fix (especially for itchy skins, of which there are many here, with a warm and humid climate perfect for fleas and pollens). This is a small place and I needed to get to know the other vets on good terms and for them to trust me as a competent veterinarian before embarking on more unusual courses of treatment. This may seem a bit cowardly but I have never been a confrontational person. They are a very scientific bunch and like to know the evidence for what they use, but don’t judge me. To be honest, I was pleasantly impressed by the high standard of veterinary care offered and relieved to know that there were two very competent orthopods to take the stress out of some of my surgical days, and I get to play with a dental x- ray machine, which has revolutionised the level of dental care, we can offer (I am one of those weird people that likes doing dentals).
But back to the holistic side, the easiest thing to introduce has been the concept of natural raw feeding. Not long ago I presented to the other vets the pros of changing to a natural diet. They were all very interested and it prompted a lot of discussion, mostly positive. I think it is hard to ignore the common sense that suggests raw feeding to be a more appropriate diet for our carnivore companions. The fear elicited by some clients in the UK at the suggestion of feeding meaty bones is not one shared by my clients, many ex-farmers, who have been feeding bones to their animals their whole lives. There is a ready supply of minced raw meats at the supermarket for pets, and chicken necks are regularly on the menu for cats. Unfortunately many clients feed raw badly
and the minced diets, most people are regularly using, are not frozen but chilled with the addition of sulphites (linked to asthma in cats). We also see on a regular basis dogs with severe and sometimes fatal constipation/ obstipation due to large and not meaty bones being followed by a dry biscuit meal.
There is a great deal for us to teach the clients on the topic. Up until now it has generally been the policy to chastise them to feeding bones and direct them towards a balanced kibble diet. I am hoping that this will change now with easy access to client hand- outs on the do’s and don’ts of natural feeding, the risks of mixed feeding and a pointer in the direction of some suppliers that do produce good quality meaty bones and minces (possum, wild hare and rabbit are also on the menu here).
Acupuncture has also been easy to introduce, and in fact another vet had just completed a short course before I arrived and was already seeing a few elderly dogs. There are plenty of cases for both of us, we just need to encourage the other vets to refer in house a bit more (why are women better at referring for alternatives than men?). The NZ Complementary Medicine Veterinary Branch of the NZVA (a very small but enthusiastic bunch of holistic vets) recently had Dr Bruce Ferguson (Australia) over for two days of intensive teaching on Chinese herbs and minimal needling techniques – fascinating stuff. There is so much to know – too much for one lifetime! Funnily the uptake for acupuncture seems to be primarily by the non- New Zealanders (of whom there are many in multi-cultural New Plymouth), who seem to either have a better cash flow or value their animals higher. Insurance is a rare thing in New Zealand at the current time.
Homeopathy has entered the picture here and there and is still my passion. It seems to be largely unknown by the clients, who are more familiar with Naturopaths, who deal more with supplements, tissue salts, diet and herbs. I recall a clients saying (when referred to me with her cushingoid dog): “I go to a naturopath myself but don’t know that I believe in homeopathy”... not a good recipe for client commitment and good follow up (especially since her dog was asymptomatic other than on blood tests). I still need to promote this side of things more – some notices in the waiting room to start with, although we even had a snarky letter about a notice mentioning acupuncture from a client (a member of the Sceptic Society - yes they exist ‘down under‘ too). I know there are many holistic minded people in New Plymouth to tap into and it is a matter of getting your name known.
The area, where I find holistic therapies can
get a foothold, is in behaviour cases. The other vets and also nurses on the counter often send problem dogs and cats my way now, and these clients are desperate, willing to try anything. I initially get a general feeling for the case and then provide a list of options along with some behaviour retraining or counter conditioning. Whilst some clients prefer to have the instant conventional option and go down the drug route, others do well with gentle therapies, such as Calmex and Bach Flower Remedies (for mild issues, such as lack of confidence, this works very well and can be prescribed without a full hour holistic consult) and homeopathy. For the strange and peculiar cases or those not responding to the first two options I encourage the client to commit to the full consult and aim for a constitutional remedy.
I would now like to present one of these behaviour cases as it was memorable and the remedy from a family of remedies I have used before with strong mental symptoms.
STERLING (male neutered cross breed cat, 2 years old)
Adopted at 8 weeks of age from the SPCA he was born and raised there with lots of socialisation, and neutered early before re- homing. He is a very pretty cat and looks to be a cross of some type of purebred cat with an unusual colour to his coat.
He wasn’t anxious at first and was the life of the party, which is why they picked him. Then he started getting anxious, when the owner left the house – trying to squeeze out of windows to try to find her. He was a little better with his brother (unrelated but similar age). Initially he
2
Datura Stramonium