Conventional medicine, as we know it, uses drugs to target areas where disease has control. Homeopathy looks at the whole patient and treats the individual, not the disease. In homeopathy, the individual’s reaction to the imbalance is the guiding process that determines the course of action. Signs of discomfort and abnormal function as well as emotional considerations are important for proper treatment. The homeopathic practitioner also takes into consideration the cat’s personality, the time of the year, whether the symptoms are getting worse, the time of day when the cat seems uncomfortable, past illnesses, what he eats, how he is housed, and perhaps most importantly, his relationship with his owner.

When using conventional medicine, palliation or suppression of the disease is an attempt to alleviate the symptoms of the illness, not necessarily cure the disease. With the proper use of homeopathic remedies, the disease will not return. Homeopaths understand that by gently allowing the body to express the symptoms instead of suppressing them, illness can make its way out of the body.

There are two ways to use homeopathy: Classic and acute. Classic is best left to the expert practitioner since taking the case history and doing the research is an art in itself.

Once you start to read about homeopathic remedies, you may feel homeopathy is the answer to everything you may encounter with your pet. Be sensible. It takes many years to become proficient at using homeopathic remedies. The best idea is to find a veterinarian trained in conventional and homeopathic medicine.

There are many books available on homeopathic treatments and remedies. Read as much as you wish, and understand, we do not recommend that you rely solely on homeopathic remedies. To help find a homeopathic veterinarian, try visiting www.altvetmed.org.

Once you start to read about the possibilities of homeopathy and its enormous scope in treatment, you may feel as if it is the absolute answer to everything that you may encounter with your dog. Don't succumb to this temptation. It takes many years to become proficient at using homeopathy properly. The ideal is to find a veterinarian trained in both traditional, as well as homeopathic medicine.

Be sensible, and get the blood and other diagnostic tests. There may be something going on you have missed that a good diagnostic work-up will reveal. There is no substitute for a hands-on a diagnostic work-up.