Messonnier - Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats

The Allergy Solution for Dogs
The Arthritis Solution for Dogs

PART ONE:
CONDITIONS

PART TWO:
HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS

PART THREE:
DIET

PART FOUR:
OTHER COMPLEMENTARY
THERAPIES

I was first introduced to Dr. Shawn Messonnier, a holistic veterinarian, at a veterinary conference. I was impressed with this young mans sincerity and passion for his work. When Dr. Messonnier discussed with me the scope and breadth of his work in progress, I smiled to myself because I didnt believe that he could really pull off a project of the magnitude that he had planned. I was wrong. After reviewing Dr. Messonniers Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats, I am even more impressed with his work.

Many, if not most, of the currently available texts on Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine (CAVM) have been simply compendiums of information without an overriding attempt to integrate these catalogs of information into a cohesive whole that can be used pragmatically, as a practice companion or by the pet owner. That is where I believe this work of Dr. Messonniers excels: It offers the veterinarian and the pet owner with an interest in CAVM a guide to the appropriate uses of natural therapies. Even with my many years of experience in practicing CAVM, I have learned quite a few new things during my review of Dr. Messonniers detailed and thoroughly written text.

Each holistic veterinarian has his own interpretation of how to practice CAVM. There are those veterinarians in the holistic field who are very negative about the benefits of most, if not all, conventional medical procedures, including vaccinations and pharmaceuticals. I found it refreshing to view Dr. Messonniers perspective: that it is important that we not throw the baby out with the bath water. In other words, we shouldnt reject the valuable and safe aspects of our conventional veterinary medical training, but rather, integrate the best of both worlds into a superior form of medical practice.

I have found that the following statements summarize the most important aspects of CAVM:

1) Know what the diagnosis is for the patient you are treating, whether you are using conventional or alternative therapies.

2) Teach, and thus empower, the animals guardian to care for and heal the animal.

3) Be a team. The pets guardian needs a caring and professional veterinarian who has an interest in complementary and alternative therapies. A veterinarian can best guide and direct the owner in the animals best interests, and can help design the best herbal, dietary, and nutraceutical program for the pet. (I very much approve of the fact that Dr. Messonnier reminds the reader that it is frequently necessary for ones animal to be seen by a veterinarian.)

I have been practicing CAVM for the past thirteen-plus years of my nineteen-year career as a small-animal veterinarian in private practice. For most of that time, I have been flying without instruments, which is to say that there has not been much available in the veterinary literature that I could use as a guide for my clinical practice. I had to learn everything the hard way: on my own. With this book in hand, you wont need to learn it the hard way as Dr. Messonnier and I have done. This text will provide you with a ready-to-use clinical tool. Or just simply help you understand more about your pets health.

ROBERT J. SILVER, D.V.M., M.S.

I am a conventional doctor by training, an Aggie from the Lone Star State. I graduated in 1987 from Texas A&M University with a doctorate of veterinary medicine, and in 1991, opened Paws & Claws Animal Hospital, the first referral hospital for dogs, cats, and exotic pets in Plano, Texas.

After using conventional treatments for several years, I became convinced that many pets that were not improving with lifelong use of conventional medications might improve if some type of alternative was available. This desire to improve the quality of my patients lives led me to become adept at treating pets with a variety of complementary therapies. Due to the success of this idea, I created the Acupuncture and Holistic Animal Health Care Center, the only hospital in the area to offer both conventional and complementary therapies for dogs and cats.

Now, in addition to practicing medicine, I spread the word of holistic health care for pets as a regular columnist for the Dallas Morning News and the Wylie News. For two years, I hosted Fox Televisions 4 Your Pets pet care show. I serve on the board of the prestigious international journal, Veterinary Forum, and I am also founder and editor-in-chief of Exotic Pet Practice, the only monthly international publication devoted to the care of exotic pets. Each month I reach over half a million pet owners as the holistic columnist for both Dog Fancy and Cat Fancy magazines. I also serve as a consultant to Our Pets, a leading manufacturer of natural pet products, and am the holistic veterinarian for www.planet-pets.com.

This book, the Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats, is part of a new series of health guides called T HE N ATURAL V ET . With this exciting project I hope to show you ways to care for your pets using safe, natural, alternative treatments for a variety of medical conditions.

I always enjoy hearing from readers. If you would like to contact me regarding the Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats, for consulting services, or speaking engagements, you may do so at: 2145 W. Park Blvd., Plano, TX 75075; (972) 867-8800; .

F irst, a big thanks to all the folks at Prima who have helped make this project possible.

Second, I would like to express my appreciation to all of my clients and their pets. Thank you for putting your trust in me and for choosing a more natural, holistic approach. Seeing the improvement in your pets has continued to encourage my interest in learning about more natural options to help your pets recover from their diseases and maintain their health.

Third, thanks to all of the veterinarians and medical doctors for their input during the development of the Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. Attempting to single out those who have been particularly helpful means that someone will invariably get left out, and for this I apologize. I would like to say a special Thank You to the following who have been particularly helpful:

Thanks to Dr. Robert Silver. You are inspirational.

Thanks to Dr. Christina Chambreau for your careful editing of the section on homeopathy.

Thanks to Dr. Marilyn Moore for the information on glycoproteins.

Thanks to Dr. Susan Wynn. As moderator of the AHVMA email list, you keep us all in line. Thanks also for all of the up-to-date medical information and literature you bring to our attention.

Finally, thanks to all of the holistic veterinarians who freely share their ideas on the AHVMA email list. Your help is appreciated by all of the clients whose pets benefit from your in-the-trenches experiences.

As always, a special thanks to God for all I have, and to my wife, Sandy, and daughter, Erica, for giving me the time to complete this very important and special project. I love you both!