ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY VETERINARY MEDICINE: USING IT TO YOUR PET’S ADVANTAGE by Rebecca Stanevich, Mountaineer Kennel Club This article can be reproduced for distribution to club members and other members of the fancy or for use in club newslet- ters. The Delegates’s Committee on Canine Health omplementary and alternative 5. Energy Therapies MEDICAL ISSUES Cmedicine (CAM) gives doctors 1. Electromagnetic and patients an entirely new arsenal 2. Therapeutic touch with which to treat many diseases, 3. Acupuncture example, should be evaluated careful- including arthritis, allergies, behavior ly by the user. problems, and many more. CAM is Approaching Complementary Examine the Practitioner’s here to stay. It is not outside the nor- and Alternative Therapies Expertise mal process of human medicine and it The decision to use complementary Health consumers may want to is quickly becoming just as accepted and alternative treatments is an take a close look into the background, in veterinary medicine. important one. The following are top- qualifications, and competence of any Because CAM is not yet in the ics to consider before selecting an potential healthcare practitioner, ‘mainstream’, there are many con- alternative therapy: the safety and whether a doctor or a practitioner of cerns about its safety and effective- effectiveness of the therapy or treat- alternative and complementary ness. Many pet owners are looking for ment, the expertise and qualifications healthcare. In some states this is gov- information and guidance about alter- of the healthcare practitioner, and the erned by the veterinary licensing natives to conventional health care. quality of the service delivery. These board. Check with your veterinary The purpose of this brochure is to topics should be considered when board to see if your selected practi- assist you in providing the best possi- selecting any practitioner or therapy. tioner is licensed or needs to be. ble health care for your pet. However, Assess the Safety and Effectiveness Consider the Service Delivery of the Therapy since this is a constantly changing The quality of the service delivery, In general, safety means that the or how the treatment or therapy is field, you, as a consumer, must be benefits outweigh the risks of a treat- given and under what conditions, is aware that every day new studies are ment or therapy. A safe product or an important issue. However, quality reported. This article is not designed practice is one that does no harm of service is not necessarily related to to provide the most current research when used under defined conditions the effectiveness or safety of a treat- study results. My goal is to assist you and as intended. Effectiveness is the ment or practice. Visit the practition- in finding practitioners and treatment likelihood of benefit from a practice, er’s office, clinic, or hospital. Ask the therapies that are safe and effective. treatment, or technology applied practitioner how many patients he or Complementary and alternative under typical conditions by the aver- she typically sees in a day or week, medicine covers a broad range of age practitioner for the typical patient. and how much time the practitioner healing philosophies (schools of Specific information about an alter- spends with the patient. Look at the thought), approaches and therapies native and complementary therapy’s conditions of the office or clinic. that mainstream Western (conven- safety and effectiveness may be less Consider the Costs tional) medicine does not commonly readily available than information Costs are an important factor to use, accept, study, understand, or about conventional medical treat- consider. Find out what several practi- make available. The list of practices ments. However, research on these tioners charge for the same treatment that are considered CAM changes therapies is ongoing and continues to to better assess the appropriateness of constantly. As they are proven safe grow. In the meantime, your practi- costs. and effective they become accepted as tioner might have literature with Consult Your Healthcare Provider “mainstream” healthcare practices. information about the safety and Most importantly, discuss all issues Today, CAM practices may be grouped effectiveness of the therapy. Credible concerning treatments and therapies into five categories: information, obtained from scientifi- with your healthcare provider whether cally conducted clinical trials, may be a doctor or other practitioner of com- 1. Alternative Medical Systems found in scientific research literature plementary and alternative medicine. 1. Homeopathy obtained through public libraries, uni- Competent healthcare management 2. Traditional oriental medicine versities, medical libraries, online requires knowledge of both conven- 2. Mind-Body Interventions computer services and the National tional and alternative therapies for 1. Behavior modification Library of Medicine. Reports of new the practitioner to have a complete 3. Biologically-based Treatments modalities found in the lay literature picture of your pet’s treatment plan. 1. Herbal supplementation and which include only testimonials Resources 2. Special dietary by individuals may not reflect a scien- National Center for Complementary 4. Manipulative and Body Based tifically conducted study. The safety and Alternative Medicine 1. Chiropractic and effectiveness of modalities report- American Holistic Veterinary 2. Massage ed in dog-related magazines, for Medical Association D

22 JUNE 2004 PERSPECTIVES