Conventional veterinary medicine, also known as allopathic medicine, is the medicine traditionally practised in our part of the world.
In recent years, complementary therapies for pets have been developing alongside it. Around us we find mainly osteopaths, acupuncturists, naturopaths, homeopaths and practitioners who use various therapeutic methods such as bioresonance and the like.
For our part, we take the view that these methods are not alternatives to our own care, but genuinely add something complementary in certain conditions.
That said, we have a preference for practitioners who are themselves vets and who have trained in these various therapeutic methods on top of their university degree. The foundations of animal health remain essential for delivering appropriate care across the different animal species. Training given in a few hours cannot be as thorough or as reliable. Be wary, too, of charlatans: they exist in human medicine, but increasingly in veterinary medicine as well!
We also take issue with therapists who run down the treatments prescribed by an allopathic vet; they cannot exercise sound judgement, because they lack an overall picture of the condition affecting the animal. The best therapeutic results are those that come from collaboration between the different practitioners. The best chances of success follow from teamwork.
The type of complementary medicine that applies varies with the kind of condition; an osteopath, for example, most often treats musculoskeletal problems in dogs, cats and horses, even though other problems can be eased as well.
In the canton of Vaud, the website of the Vaud Veterinary Society can help you find specialists in complementary medicine:
www.veterinaires-vaudois.ch
Your own vet can also help when it comes to choosing a complementary-medicine practitioner.