questions

Twice

My Bully Gave Me Wings
Feb 3, 2012
2,686
311
Woodbridge Township, NJ
Bulldog(s) Names
Abby (my Sweetie Head 10.24.11-11.23.12) and Otis
Abby has her first visit with a holistic vet tomorrow. Normally on a first visit I have a list of questions to ask. But this being our first visit to one who practices alternative therapies I have no idea what to ask other than my normal questions.

Is there anything special that I need to ask?

I'm not giving up her regular vet or any of her specialists, I just want to talk to someone who might have new ideas. Especially since last week her numbers were so off, it might be time to try something different so we can keep her around for as long as possible.
 

JAKEISGREAT

.................
Mar 25, 2011
14,802
1,155
Southern California
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Jake
When we took our Rottie to an acupuncturist..she was also into holistic medicine. Now, while not a vet..she did work on people too! I would just listen. They are very interesting and in our case had lots of vitamins and special remedies. we kind of picked and chose what we felt comfortable with. We kept Ana on her meds from our vet mostly because we didn't want her to be in pain. We often researched on our own but learned a lot. Go with an open mind and I hope Abby benefits!
 

izstigspunks

Moderator
Sep 16, 2010
5,939
336
Toronto, Ontario
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Canada
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The Stig Racecar Driver and (Sweet Angel) Punkin Brutus
i would ask ger if she has any experience with kidney issues. telll her your concerns abiut drugs passing through her system and also the diet you are using. so far the holistic meds the boys' vet gives us are more like supplements.
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
Staff member
Community Veteran
Jul 28, 2011
48,581
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Gilbertsville, PA
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wish I could give some insight, but I also have no experience with them. Once you are there and they start talking, I am sure the questions will follow easily.
 
OP
Twice

Twice

My Bully Gave Me Wings
Feb 3, 2012
2,686
311
Woodbridge Township, NJ
Bulldog(s) Names
Abby (my Sweetie Head 10.24.11-11.23.12) and Otis
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #6
The first question I asked on the phone was are they experienced with canine renal failure. I'm really concerned with her kidney values but there is also the anemia and immune system to worry about. Then there's her bones themselves. Her elbows didn't form properly, there is no tissue holding keeping the bones together. There is also a strong suspicion of hip dysplasia now. We won't know for sure until we do xrays but I'm not subjecting her to radiation until her immune system is working better.

I read something in a book about animal health. It was the simplest idea ever. "Treat the dog not the numbers" and that's what I'm trying to do now. I need some new ideas. My poor girl is falling apart :(
 

JAKEISGREAT

.................
Mar 25, 2011
14,802
1,155
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Jake
Just take a big breath...you are going down a path to do the best you can. All you can do is take one step at a time. There will be obstacles aplenty, but what you are looking for is a new way around. Not one with signs nor heavily traveled. But one just for Abby. What you find on this path will be new and probably a bit scary. But just focus on Abby..follow your instincts. There will be false starts and really I suppose no guarantee what you will find..but just hug Abby along the way and take those big breaths. We are with you..in spirit at least. She is so lucky you love her..and honestly there isn't one of us who has a guarantee either.
 
OP
Twice

Twice

My Bully Gave Me Wings
Feb 3, 2012
2,686
311
Woodbridge Township, NJ
Bulldog(s) Names
Abby (my Sweetie Head 10.24.11-11.23.12) and Otis
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Just take a big breath...you are going down a path to do the best you can. All you can do is take one step at a time. There will be obstacles aplenty, but what you are looking for is a new way around. Not one with signs nor heavily traveled. But one just for Abby. What you find on this path will be new and probably a bit scary. But just focus on Abby..follow your instincts. There will be false starts and really I suppose no guarantee what you will find..but just hug Abby along the way and take those big breaths. We are with you..in spirit at least. She is so lucky you love her..and honestly there isn't one of us who has a guarantee either.

Thanks for that :)
 

agingermom

ink-a-licious redhead bully mama
Aug 31, 2011
4,243
439
Washington State
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Miss Bertha Bacon and Petey Herman (Frenchie)
I read something in a book about animal health. It was the simplest idea ever. "Treat the dog not the numbers" and that's what I'm trying to do now. I need some new ideas. My poor girl is falling apart :(

We treat our patients on psych meds with that quote! Often the meds my have sub-therapeutic lab values but the vet is stabile, no side effects and all is good. It is one of my favorite philosophies as a RN!! Also with any alternative therapies (again , I only know humans), it is imperative to know if they interact with any other meds she is on. Even meds that may seem benign are not always so!! If this is redundant info, I am sorry!!
 
Last edited:

kazzy220

..........
Jul 31, 2010
8,556
441
Grafton, OHIO
Country
England
Bulldog(s) Names
Maggie (My Angel Baby 5/31/2012). Daddy (2 years). Linus (1year). Bella (4 years)
I have no experience to tell you first-hand. However, I do have a husband and wife that I train separately during the week and they have Bouviers. They were just recently recommended a holistic vet to try for their eldest Bouvier who is 12 years old and who they did not expect to live more than a few months more. This particular vet graduated from Ohio State University veterinary school with honours but has also studied chinese medicine and acupuncture. Apparently she combines what she feels is the best of both worlds .. western and eastern animal medicine. So I'm not sure if this is what your holistic vet does or not. All I know is that both the husband and wife think she is an angel sent down from heaven and that Gus, the 12 yr old Bouvier, is like a different dog. This vet recommends the high quality foods, and has switched Gus' arthritis medication to one she feels is less damaging but has also combined with a combination of chinese herbs that they feed him every day. This vet also does acupuncture which is another treatment that Gus has ... first every two weeks but the times in between are lengthened until he shouldn't need them any more.

Linus is due to be neutered very soon, and as soon as I get a chance I'm going to be calling her to speak to her about him and get a "feel" for whether I want to switch him over there. Maggie will probably stay with our current new vet because she specialises in neurology and that is one of Maggie's issues ... or at least that is the plan so far. But if this holistic vet is somebody my intuition says to go with, then I may switch them all over to her!!

Not sure that helps or not!!
 

ChanelnBrutus

Snookie ain't got nuttin on me!
Feb 6, 2012
4,928
181
New Jersey
Bulldog(s) Names
Brutus (EBD 6/4/11), Chanel (Pitbull 12/23/06)
Dont have much advice as you got it already! Just want you to know we are here if you need anything! You are doing the best you can for you and you go the extra mile to make her happy and healthy! :) Good Luck with everything and big big :hug: to you and Abby!
 

bullmama

Owner/Administrator
Staff member
Community Veteran
Jan 28, 2010
24,756
1,251
Tucson, Arizona
Country
USA
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The Home of the Desert Sky Pack
No advice except seeing what kind of approach they would take, instead of telling them what you are doing find out what they would do first? That is how I get second opinions, I never tell them what the other vet has me doing or the diagnosis that was given.... Go in with a fresh start and a clear head. I hope you find some alternatives, hugs to you and Abby :hug:
 

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