Soooo — I learned something recently:  I’d previously used the terms “holistic” & “homeopathic” interchangeably.

Well, turns out, they are not the same. And maybe you know this already, but I might as well admit to what I didn’t.

Holistic veterinary medicine takes a whole-patient approach, considering body, mind, and lifestyle, and may include methods like Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM — treatments like herbal medicines, nutritional support, acupuncture, etc.), supplements, and . . . homeopathy.

Homeopathic medicine is based on the principle of “like cures like” and refers to the treatment of disease with highly diluted substances that trigger healing, but in undiluted form, might cause symptoms of that same disease.

…An example, “coffea cruda” (a homeopathic preparation made from coffee) is used to treat patients with “insomnia associated with an overly alert mind.”

In short: homeopathy can be part of a holistic plan, but not all holistic care is homeopathic. 

So, after learning about alternative therapy options for dogs with hemangiosarcoma, I scheduled a homeopathic consult with a doctor recognized as one of the foremost experts in this modality. Took 26 days to get in, but I’m determined to consider every avenue.

Will recap the appointment tomorrow (fingers crossed — as always!).

Update: The appointment is recapped in my article “Snake Oil Salesmen”. It did not go as hoped. At all.