Alternative medicine often gets a bad reputation in the mainstream medical and veterinary professions. It is frequently dismissed as a “new thing” with little tangible (or scientifically measurable) impact on human or pet health conditions. This article examines alternative medicine for pets and evaluates its position in animal healthcare.
The outlook that alternative medicine is a new thing is a little short-sighted to say the least. Some forms of “alternative” medicine, such as acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have existed for millennia. Other approaches such as homeopathy and hypnosis have existed for centuries. “Alternative medicine” has helped countless people throughout the ages overcome a vast range of health issues.