Rex and I both use a common homeopathic treatment called Rescue Remedy when we get stressed out. It helps Rex when his McNab friend harasses and jumps on him, and it helps me when I need to fly on a plane. Essentially a flower essence, Rescue Remedy keeps Rex from going to that manic place of spinning in circles when he can’t get away from his doggie friend, and keeps me from crying when the plane goes through a little turbulence.
Is homeopathy an option you consider when it comes to treating your pets?
The philosophy of homeopathy revolves around not just suppressing symptoms, but gently triggering the body’s natural ability to heal. The treatment principle is based upon ‘like curing like’- nudging the animal (or person) in the direction of the disease so their body will rebound into a state of health. In other words, a substance that can make you ill in large doses can cure you if taken in small doses. First developed over 250 years ago, homeopathic medicines today are regulated by the FDA. Homeopaths prescribe remedies- these are created from animal, plant and mineral substances which are then diluted many times so that a very small amount of the original chemical substance remains. When prescribing a remedy, the homeopath considers every aspect of the patient, from their physical symptoms to their mental and emotional state, thus treating the whole animal, and not just their symptoms.
Dr. Barbara Fishelson is a local licensed veterinarian and certified veterinary homeopath. She has her own practice, Veterinary Homeopathy, and also makes house and farm calls through her business, On The Road Veterinary Care. She is also the veterinarian at the Gualala Humane Society (along with me, as her veterinary technician). Dr. Fishelson spent many years treating animals allopathically, including owning her own animal hospital in San Francisco. Searching for a different system of medicine, she took her first course (of many to follow) with Dr. Richard Pitcairn, the “guru” of veterinary homeopathy. Dr. Fishelson says “he was my first teacher (and friend) who taught me how to ‘take off the blinders and think’. I learned about animal nutrition and behavior in ways that I did not learn in my conventional medical training”. You can reach Dr. Fishelson at 707-937-1358 or at veterinaryhomeopathy@mcn.org and ontheroad@mcn.org. If you are looking for over-the-counter homeopathic (or natural and herbal) products, check out Roots Apothecary in Point Arena.
