First Veterinary Homeopathy in Saskatchewan
Complementary Health Care for Pets
by
Dr. Marilyn Sthamann, DVM
Veterinary Homeopathy is now an option for your pet's health
care in Saskatchewan. My name is Dr. Marilyn Sthamann and
I have been practising small animal medicine in Regina for
15 years since graduating from Saskatoon's Western College
of Veterinary Medicine. In the past few years I have witnessed
the increasing public interest in complementary medicine.
Having no previous knowledge or experience in this area,
I assumed conventional medicine was the best medical option
for my patients. At the same time I felt it was necessary
to advise clients on all options for their pet's care. Last
year I made the decision to introduce myself to complementary
medicine. I contacted a holistic veterinarian in the Maritimes
whom I was acquainted with and asked for his suggestions
on how to proceed. He provided a list of readings on the
introduction to homeopathy and I contacted other veterinarians
practising it. They all gave glowing reports on their beliefs
and successes with homeopathic medicine.
Even after hearing my colleague's comments, reading and
accepting this material was difficult. The philosophy and
principles of homeopathy are so different from conventional
medicine. But I was determined to keep an open mind! As I
studied, my interest grew. On reporting back to the holistic
veterinarian, he informed me that the first Canadian veterinary
homeopathy course was being held in Guelph, Ontario in 1999-2000.
The veterinary profession and all pet lovers owe a debt
of gratitude to a veterinarian named Dr. Richard Pitcairn.
Twenty years ago, as a graduate veterinarian in the United
States, he became frustrated with conventional medicine's
inability to cure chronic disease. Believing that this was
due to his own limitations, he pursued graduate studies in
veterinary immunology, virology and biochemistry. He believed
that this would give him the tools to successfully heal patients
with chronic disease. But five years later, after obtaining
his Ph.D., he still felt he was unable to find the answers
he sought.
Conventional medicine relies on fragmented disciplinesimmunology,
cardiology, gastroenterology, etc.looking at the body
as simply a sum of its parts. Dr. Pitcairn began researching
complementary forms of healing and became intrigued by the
holistic approach to medicine. He could see that approaching
medicine and health from a holistic perspective was very
logical. After investigating several complementary modalities,
he came across homeopathy. He began studying its principles.
Remember, all of the resources, texts and remedies have been
developed for treatment of people. He decided that there
was no reason these principles couldn't be applied to animals.
With his experience in veterinary medicine, he was able to
begin relating symptoms of illness in animals to guide him
to the appropriate homeopathic remedies.
To his delight, after years of study, he was able to successfully
treat animals using these homeopathic principles and remedies.
After many years of dedication to the development of veterinary
homeopathic medicine, Dr. Pitcairn has become well-known
and respected for his successful homeopathic practise. He
has authored two editions of his book, Natural Health
Care of Dogs and Cats, a wonderfully written guide to
better nutrition and homeopathic care for companion owners.
Excited about the potential for offering this care beyond
his clinic doors, Dr. Pitcairn and his wife Susan developed
a training course for veterinarians in the United States.
In the past few years, approximately 50 veterinarians per
year have studied under him. He has also been one of the
major forces in forming the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy,
which will serve as the guiding organization for training
and research. This is a big step forward for complementary
veterinary medicine in North America!
I decided to enroll in the first of Dr. Pitcairn's courses
to be offered in Canada. I spent the next nine months travelling
to Guelph for study sessions with fifteen other veterinarians
from Canada and the United States. I completed the course
in July, 2000 and will continue to study and work towards
certification with the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy this
winter.
My ideas of disease and health have radically shifted upon
learning the principles of homeopathy. I began treating patients
early in my studies and as the community learns of my abilities,
I am beginning to see more clients requesting homeopathy.
As an integral part of providing homeopathic care, I spend
time advising clients on nutritional support and am beginning
to prescribe herbal therapies as well. All clients are counselled
to give their pets all that is required to maintain health:
proper nutrition, exercise, emotional support, minimal use
of medicine and other potentially harmful products. My business
partner, Dr. Bill Preston, and I have recently opened a nutritional
centre in our hospital to provide clients with advice on
quality diets and supplemental products such as vitamin,
herbal and nutraceutical products. We will soon be expanding
our inventory to provide additional help for pet ownersi.e.
gentle grooming products, etc.
After fifteen years of practise, I was comfortable and
confident with the medical care I was offering. But now that
I have taken this road to a new form of health care, I feel
like a new graduate again! Most of my clients are new to
homeopathy. They have been intrigued to witness the process
of taking their pet's case, detailing all symptoms, the analysis
of medical history and the recommendations for fresh food
diets and supplements. Initially, some witnessed immediate
improvement in the pet's feeling of well-being and gradual
healing of their pet's illness.
Others have been more difficult to treat successfully.
The individual's ability to heal depends on several factors.
There are obstacles to cure including previous drug treatments,
severity of the disease, degree of pathology that has occurred
and emotional stresses. At the first interview, I discuss
goals for treatment. Homeopathy can be successful for healing
but can also do a wonderful job palliating illness. Palliation
is treatment that helps the pet cope with the illness, treating
pain and creating a feeling of well-being, when a cure is
not possible.
I have been excited to treat cases such as Foo Foo, a Chow
who was diagnosed with a large liver tumour. She had been
given a poor prognosis and was not expected to live long.
Foo Foo was beginning to become sluggish, show little interest
in life and had a poor appetite. With homeopathic treatment
over the past six weeks, Foo Foo's owner has seen her "return
to her old self." She has a good appetite, is back to her
bright and inquisitive self and wants to go for walks and
car rides. Foo Foo's tumour is still there. Treatment may
or may not fully heal her cancer. Only time and further care
will tell. But in the meantime, she is enjoying a good summer
and her owner is very pleased.
Another dog named Buddy is under my care. He is a 12 year
old German Shepherd who developed neuropathy (weakening and
uncoordination of his hind legs) over the past year. Conventional
treatments were unsuccessful. Buddy's owners requested homeopathic
treatment. After one month, his owners report he has been
able to rise up from a sitting position on his own for the
first time in about six months. He is taking an interest
in his surroundings and now can "walk with a purpose" instead
of his previous unsteady, clumsy gait. This is so gratifying
to see. I know that without this treatment, Buddy was destined
to continue to decline and eventually become completely debilitated.
In addition to cases such as Buddy and Foo Foo, I am in
the process of treating pets with a variety of ailments,
including allergic dermatitis, bladder stones, kidney disease
and other cancers.
I am very excited about the future. Before venturing into
this new endeavour, I was intimidated by being the only veterinarian
in Saskatchewan to offer homeopathy. Now that I am one year
into my studies, I passionately believe what I am doing has
real value for my patients. I am ready to face my colleagues
and suggest they too keep an open mind about complementary
medicine.
Conventional medicine is valuable for the treatment of
many pet ailments. I do not suggest we return to the days
before modern surgical and medical care was available. I
do hope to see a day when conventional and complementary
medicine commonly work side by side to provide the best health
care for our pet companions. The Lakewood Animal Hospital's
clients will be seeing both modalities offered to them for
their pet's care!
Anyone interested in considering homeopathic treatment
for their pet or for more information is welcome to contact
Dr. Marilyn Sthamann at Lakewood Animal Hospital, 1151
Lakewood Court North, Regina, SK S4X 3S3, Phone: 306-545-6487
Fax: 306-545-1374.
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