Many holistic therapies such as acupuncture, refined colostrum whey products, microbial products (lactobacillis, yeasts, etc), herbs, homeopathy and other natural products are useful and effective alternatives to the use of the antibiotic and chemical therapy now commonly used in veterinary medicine. However, the success of holistic products and procedures requires a change in perspective and the development of a holistic outlook towards livestock management and disease control ... it is not as simple as merely substituting an alternate therapy for a conventional therapy.

There are three levels of approach to livestock health. The lowest level and the most expensive level is treatment of sick animals. At this level some economic loss has already occurred and more will be spent in an attempt to cure the animal. Timing is important. The earlier the treatment is started the more moderate the treatment can be to accomplish a remission of symptoms. If healing and/or health occurs at all, it is a function of the natural inclination of the animal to be healthy. Drugs, from whatever source derived, only aid this natural process. Even if the treatment is successful, some economic loss is inevitable.

The second level is disease prevention. Herd health checks and vaccination programs fall into this category. These programs are generally good but the outlook is still towards preventing disease. The common thinking is that a "disease or illness" is an entity unto itself, when in reality it is only a symptom of lowered vitality.

The third and highest level is health enhancement. This is the most profitable level and is the level where holistic practices are most effective. At this level all management practices are evaluated on the basis of their effects on the vitality of each animal in the herd. In so far as possible, all environmental stress factors are eliminated. Water is checked for nitrates or other toxins. Strict attention is given to providing superlative nutrition. Housing and proper ventilation are maintained at optimum levels. There are literally hundreds of other environmental factors that impact animal health and they all must be considered. When animals are maintained at a high level of vitality their resistance to all sorts of disease condition is much higher. In the event that some treatment is required, timely intervention with a mild, holistic practice or product will usually suffice. No therapy is effective all the time, but starting with the mildest first allows an escalation of therapy if the problem does not respond.

In many respects, holistic veterinary medicine requires a higher level of professional expertise. Unfortunately, most farm veterinarians have not had the proper economic motivation to educate themselves in these areas. As more organic producers demand holistic veterinary care for their livestock, hopefully, more veterinarians will avail themselves of the many advanced training courses in holistic veterinary medicine that are currently available.

The following examples may serve to illustrate, in a general way, some of the alternatives available to alleviate specific conditions

If possible, discover and eliminate the predisposing factors or underlying causes. Lack of vitamins and trace minerals (esp. Selenium) may predispose to infections. Feed lactobacillis products or administer them orally. These beneficial microbials are the body's first line of defense against infections. Administer generalized supportive therapy such as high level of Vitamins A, D, and E. If a toxic state exists, give massive doses of Vitamin C. B vitamins are indicated when the animal is not eating. Administer intravenous fluids if the animal is dehydrated. Colostral whey products (available from several commercial sources) usually have beneficial effects in cases of infection such as pneumonia, mastitis, etc. While all of these products have value, the best results are obtained from whey products where the donor cows have been individually challenged with specific bacterial antigens during the dry period. Stimulation of certain acupuncture points can strengthen and mobilize the immune response. Ideally, all of the above modes of therapy could be utilized on any one patient, as they have a synergistic effect on each other and have no adverse side-effects. Start treatment early. Use the mildest treatment first and if no response is noted in a reasonable time, use more heroic treatments.

If surgery is necessary on an animal of high vitality, routine use of antibiotics is not indicated as long as the surgery is accomplished cleanly and with a minimum of trauma. (Many times antibiotics are used as a crutch to cover up poor surgical technique.) Supportive therapy with vitamins, trace minerals, and fluids should be administered as indicated. Specific colostral whey products are indicated, as are various herbs such as comfrey. Acupuncture is indicated to mobilized the immune system. Appetite and body temperature should be monitored frequently. If the patient quits eating or if a moderate to severe fever develops, then and only then, antibiotic therapy may be indicated. It is interesting to note that as the routine use of antibiotics goes down the response to antibiotics increases. Acupuncture is very successful in the treatment of musculo-skeletal injuries, lameness, sprains, etc.

Check nutrition first. Even small deviations from optimum nutrition can have a profound effect on reproductive efficiency. Identification and correction of any nutritional deficiencies should be the first consideration. In selected cases the use of various herbal tonics are often beneficial. The use of specific colostral whey products as a uterine flush is very successful, especially when coupled with laboratory cultures. Acupuncture has been very effective in treating individual reproductive disorders, especially in cases that do not respond to other treatments. In my opinion, the routine use of any natural or synthetic hormone products is contraindicated except as a last resort. Even though there may seem to be a short-term advantage, in the long run they do more damage than good.

In summary, holistic practices and products are effective alternatives to conventional veterinary practices. The technology and expertise to implement holistic veterinary medicine is currently available. The use of this technology will hopefully become more widespread as organic producers and veterinarians alike become educated to it's many benefits.