Healthy dogs do not display lack of confidence in unfamiliar locations or fear thunderstorms. Another important difference between allopathy and homeopathy is the significance placed on symptoms. To the homeopathic veterinarian, disease is an underlying process which affects all levels of being, not just the physical body. The collection of mental, emotional, and physical symptoms exhibited by an ill animal represents the best defense against the underlying disease process that the animal can muster at the present time. When that disease is eliminated, these symptoms are no longer necessary and will disappear on their own.
Patient individuality is a key concept in homeopathy.
In allopathic medicine standard treatment protocols exist for most diseases. Consequently, all animals displaying a given disease tend to be treated similarly. For example, dogs with flea allergy dermatitis are routinely given antihistamines or steroids. This is important because each animal reacts differently to the stress of a disease. For example, one young dog with urinary tract problems may exhibit frequent urination, crying during urination, irritability, and a preference for warm places.