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 disciplines—immunology, 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 owners—i.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.