The holistic veterinarian will try to address the whole patient, in the hopes that modifying other problems will prevent a recurrence of the problem of the day. Dogs with chronic, recurrent ear infections often receive repeated prescriptions for ear salves containing steroids and antibiotics, but these poor dogs are rarely permanently cured. Experts now recognize that many ear infections are caused by underlying allergies, which might prompt the doctor to recommend diet changes, nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, or any number of holistic treatments. Pets with chronic skin disease and even epilepsy often respond favorably to a simple change in diet, yet many go through life living from one steroid or anticonvulsant pill to the next, unnecessarily. Holistic medicine often gives a pet with chronic or incurable diseases a new chance at health.
Holistic veterinarians use many of the modalities found in holistic medicine for humans.
By contrast, many conventional drug treatments are employed simply to make the symptoms disappear. Picture a car with a low oil warning light. Many thousands of pets live on steroids to get through the flea and allergy season. The drugs do not cure the problem, and do not improve the pet's health. Holistic evaluation of the dog gives the veterinarian some insight into why only some dogs develop these horrible skin problems, and he or she will make recommendations that begin to solve the problem, and not cover it up.