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www.GreaterCincinnatiPetPages.com
Animal Hospitals/Clinics
Holistic
Veterinary Care
Dr. R.E. Neubauer, D.V.M., M.B.S., N.D.
2818 Blue Rock Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45239
For Appointment Call:
513-931-9127 Message Number: 513-245-0012
By R.E. Neubauer, D.V.M., M.B.S., N.D.
Okay, so what do we mean in the medi-
cal fi eld by the word holistic? A holistic
view will examine an organ or integrated
whole reality independent of, and greater
than, the sum of its parts. Thus, each or-
gan unit (heart, lung, kidney, etc.) in the
body is a complete operational system,
but must function in relationship with all
the other organ systems to provide opti-
mal health. I think all too often, western
medicine has become so specialized that
the whole body is not the main focus, but
the "system" of the organ is the emphasis.
For example, the digestive tract is de-
signed to digest the food intake, and must
consider how the food groups (protein,
fat, carbohydrate) function in relation-
ship to each other. Fruits should be eaten
by themselves and/or 30 minutes prior to
proteins and vegetables. If protein (meat)
is consumed with starches (potatoes) there
can be acid/base (PH) imbalances that
could lead to more serious problems. The
western approach would most likely be to
take an antacid and forget about the way
the body should digest the foods. Drugs
have their place in medicine, but realize
they are designed to "push" the body
function to overcome the symptoms of the
imbalance. Going to a holistic veterinarian,
physician, dentist, or naturopath will ad-
dress the body as a whole and treat rather
than suppress the symptoms present. It is
important to realize that symptoms are
guidelines to the cure, not the object to
overcome. A holistic practitioner may uti-
lize a variety of modalities to treat various
conditions, such as nutrition, acupuncture,
TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), herbs
(both western and Chinese), chiropractics,
homeopathy, fl ower remedies, color/light
therapy, oxygen and ozone therapy, and hy-
perbaric chambers, just to mention a few.
It is my opinion that in order to achieve
optimal health one must look at prevention
as opposed to prescriptions. Begin with a
good nutrition both for yourself and your
pets. Give the body the means to maintain
a good immune system. With 80% of the
immune system in the gut, proper G-I bal-
ance of bacteria, supplements, vitamins,
and minerals is critical. And realize that
disease is either toxicity or a defi ciency, so
don't put anything in or on the body that
can lead to imbalance if at all possible. Do
your own research on nutrition, vaccines,
fl ea and tick products for your pets, drug
side effects, and why the body responds
to various environmental conditions. You
are your own best doctor, and you know
your pet and yourself better than anyone
else, so don't neglect a symptom or ac-
tion as meaningless since symptoms are
the guidelines to staying healthy. If your
doctor doesn't agree with your inner feel-
ings, get a second or third opinion. Don't
let a medical degree trump your instinct.
We live in an age where computers
and TV do so much of our thinking that
we suppress our natural instincts, so stop
and think. The Lord gave us the means
to stay healthy, all we have to do is use
and trust the gifts and talents He gave us.
R.E. Neubauer is the veterinarian at
Blue Rock Holistic Veterinary Care.
Health and Holistic Medicine