Alternative medicine generally refers to medications or treatments outside of the regular mainstream of Western medicine. Alternative medicine dates back thousands of years and has, in most cases, been passed down by word of mouth. Most of the ancient cultures have their own particular healing system. Like humans, animals could also be treated with these systems.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has established guidelines for alternative treatments such as acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, and holistic medicine. All alternative medicine should be resorted to after consulting with your veterinarian. Remember, natural doesn’t necessarily mean harmless. There are laws in every state about who can legally treat an animal. Check with your state veterinary medical association to find out what is legal.

There are several treatments available in the United States for pets, including acupuncture. This 3,500-year-old system awakens the body’s own healing processes by stimulating certain energy points on the body with fine needles. It has been said to have been effective in epilepsy, hip dysphasia, or pain relief.

Chiropractic is a system that manipulates and adjusts the spine to restore regular movement to the affected joints. There is usually immediate relief, but the pain may return and more travel may be necessary. With most pets not comfortable with manual treatments, a device called the Activator, introduced a few years ago, makes treatment easier for all concerned.

Herbs have been used for healing for centuries. Most wild animals instinctively use herbs. Nowadays, many drugs are derived from plants, but herbalists believe that it is better to take the real thing. The herbs are available in their dried and bottled forms in most cities.

Another form of treatment that is rapidly gaining popularity is homeopathy. Homeopathic medicines are dilutions of animal, plant, and chemical products. The more diluted the preparation, the more potent it is said to be. Care must be taken with diet during treatment. In most cases, processed foods should be avoided.

Massage is also helpful in improving the immune system. However, most pets do not like the feel of strangers’ hands on them.

Whichever system you would like to try for your pet, be sure to let your vet know. Certain medications can interfere with each other and the systems can be harmful if your pet has certain health conditions. Prevention, here too, is better than cure.