ALTERNATIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
Dr. Aditya Pratap
PhD Scholar, Department of Veterinary Medicine,
College of Veterinary Science & A. H., Jabalpur, NDVSU, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
Abstract
The term “alternative veterinary medicine” refers to a wide range of interventions, procedures, and/or techniques that some veterinarians employ on animals but are not accepted as components of conventional veterinary practice or education. It is sometimes referred to as complementary veterinary care, and it is presently emerging as a viable integrated holistic approach for pet owners’ well-being globally. Many alternative forms of therapies involving herbal medicine, homoeopathic medicines, acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, natural feeding, laser therapy, and other natural therapies are making way due to rising rates of antibiotic resistance, drug intolerance, and decreased side effects of newer alternatives, as well as the constantly changing lifestyles of pets and pet owners.
Key words-: Alternative Veterinary Medicine (AVM), Acupuncture, Physiotherapy
Introduction
The field of alternative veterinary medicine (AVM) has attracted a lot of attention lately. The increased use of AVM in human medicine and the desire of animal owners to provide their pets with healthcare comparable to their own have been linked to the recent spike in interest in AVM. Other considerations include the rise in interest among certain vets in these areas and the increased desire for “natural” therapies. Regulators and professional organizations have rightly been interested in the burgeoning sectors of veterinary practice. Actually now we can say that Alternative medicine is no longer alternative at all as it practiced globally now a days.
Despite the fact that there are a number of anomalies and issues with alternative medicine use in veterinary practices. The lack of written records or data, particularly in the veterinary industry, is one of the biggest issues with the regulation of alternative veterinary treatment. The quality of the evidence underlying recommended practices is a major distinction between conventional and alternative medicine. When it comes to its practices, mainstream medicine only considers the most definitive research. Alternative, on the other hand, bases its procedures on evidence-informed procedures, which are procedures based on the best available data, even in cases where that evidence does not satisfy the most stringent requirements for efficacy and safety. The specific boundaries of alternative veterinary medicine are ill-defined, and these drug forms are subject to change throughout time.
Few alternative medications are suitable for use in the veterinary sector as alternative veterinary care, despite the wide variety of alternative medicines that are available for humans. Commonly using AVM are as follows-:
Ethnoveterinary Practice
The area of ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) aims to preserve animal health and treat ailments connected to customs, indigenous knowledge and cultural practices. Since most people’s livelihoods depend on producing cattle, plant-based ethnoveterinary medication is widely utilized worldwide. Additionally, ethnoveterinary medicine is particularly versatile and dynamic since it is less expensive than manufactured medications, readily accessible in rural locations and effective in treating a wide range of livestock ailments.
Homeopathy
The fundamental principle of homoeopathy is similar to that of cures, i.e., treating illness using dilutions of chemicals that, in their unadulterated form, may produce symptoms of the same illness. The recurrent and chronic character of many illnesses has prompted the hunt for workable substitutes. Skin allergies, ear infections, UTIs, asthma, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, epilepsy, thyroid disease, and other illnesses all react well to homoeopathic medication. It therefore adheres to the “law of minimum dose,” which says that “a homoeopathic preparation’s effectiveness will increase with its dilution.” Even if homeopathy’s foundation in veterinary medicine is still developing, it can be a fantastic substitute.
Acupuncture
A component of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, acupuncture aims to promote healing by reestablishing the body’s energy balance. Studies have demonstrated that acupuncture functions by physically interacting with nerve fibres in the skin and underlying tissues to modulate nerve pathways. This results in the release of neurochemicals from the brain and spinal cord when fine needles are inserted into the dog’s body at specific locations, or acupuncture points. Now a days it is frequently used to treat dogs suffering from degenerative joint disease, hip dysplasia, IVDD, arthritis, or joint inflammation. Even though it can’t treat the precise illness, by easing some symptoms, it can lessen the needless stress that comes with taking pharmaceuticals.
Chiropractic Therapy
Chiropractic manipulation is a therapeutic approach that treats disorders by manipulating the spine, extremities, or cranium. It may be applied to any vertebrate, including dogs, horses, cattle, and rabbits. It is a form of alternative medicine used to treat musculoskeletal issues. The link between the spine and bodily functions is the main topic of the therapy. It focuses on the motion of the spine and limb joints. They close the gap between them by connecting these motions to a dog’s general health and well-being. Dogs may sustain sprains and repeated stress injuries from limited mobility. For dogs that are prone to arthritis or other joint or spinal problems, chiropractic therapy can also be used as preventative care. Even if it helps with pain relief, it should always be used in conjunction with the right drugs to treat the underlying cause of the illness.
Laser Therapy
Veterinarians may now use laser treatment thanks to a growing trend in the veterinary field to find better non-invasive options. A laser is a device that produces concentrated, penetrating light beams in three different forms: monochromatic, coherent, and collimated. The term “laser” stands for “light amplification of stimulated emission of radiation”. Therapeutic lasers work by stimulating electrons in cellular components through the use of precise wavelength light waves, which in turn activate cells to support growth, proliferation, and repair. The kind and depth of tissue to which a particular light wavelength is applied determines how the tissue reacts to laser treatment. Surgical wounds, traumatic injuries, tendon and ligament injuries, and chronic arthritis are a few of the conditions that can benefit from laser therapy.
Veterinary Massage Therapy
Veterinary massage therapy involves applying particular hand motions to a patient in order to enhance muscle and joint function by releasing tension, spasms, or other constraints on normal mobility. Warming up the body, promoting or relaxing muscles to avoid damage and helping patients recover from an accident are just a few uses for it. Massage is also used to increase the regular flow of lymphatic fluid and blood, which helps to compensate for poor circulation.
Conclusion
Treatments that don’t fit under the traditional scope of veterinary medicine are called alternatives. The definition of it is that it exists independently of and in place of traditional veterinary treatment. With differing levels of scientific support for their treatment efficacy, a multitude of AVM methods are available. Veterinarians or others working under their supervision should administer AVM treatments.
