Heal Your Dog the Natural Way [Hardcover]

Richard Allport (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997

How to treat your pet's common health conditions with the most popular alternative therapies

These two titles are perfect for any pet owner interested in exploring alternative therapies for his or her pet. A thorough introduction to the most popular alternative therapies covers acupuncture, herbal remedies, homeopathic treatment, and Bach flower essences. The rest of the book contains complete instructions for using these methods to treat common illnesses. A key to the various treatments allows readers to determine at a glance which conditions are best treated with which remedies. Attractive four-color photos and a superb design will satisfy even the most casual readers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In his book Heal Your Dog the Natural Way, top veterinarian Richard Allport introduces owners to a wide variety of alternative therapies that are available for our canine friends. Allport's intelligent discussion of the five main therapies in the "Natural Therapies" section--namely aromatherapy, homeopathy, herbal medicine, Bach flowers, and acupuncture--includes information on the origins and development of the five therapies, what kinds of problems may be treated by each, and how each therapy should be used to achieve optimum results. Of particular importance in this section is the emphasis placed on the safe and informed use of each treatment--"Acupuncture therapy must only be carried out by a vet trained in the technique: never attempt to use acupuncture needles yourself at home." "In aromatherapy, essential oils given by mouth can be toxic if given too frequently; a homeopathic remedy in the wrong potency can aggravate symptoms." The second section, titled "Common Diseases and Conditions," examines many common dog illnesses and the natural remedies that may be used to alleviate the symptoms--banana skin is wonderful for warts, while cod-liver oil relieves arthritic pain. Case studies, an easy-to-follow format, and color photographs throughout will help in deciding what therapy is right for your dog, but keep in mind that when thinking of alternative treatments, you must keep your vet informed, as Allport clearly states in his introduction: "it [the book] is NOT intended to be a substitute for seeking professional veterinary assistance for your dog whenever necessary. Never try to diagnose and treat illness solely from the information in these pages. If you are ever in any doubt about your dog's health or welfare, you must consult your vet--remember that failure to do so could put your dog's life at risk." --Stefanie Hargreaves

About the Author

Richard Allport is a qualified vet with a specialist interest in the theory and practise of complementary medicine. He has over 20 years' experience and this book represents the distillation of his wisdom in healing animals with alternative treatments. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876056168
• ISBN-13: 978-0876056165
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,059,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Aromatherapy, Herbs, Homeopathy & More For Dogs, June 29, 2000

By 

Sasha - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heal Your Dog the Natural Way (Hardcover)

In his nicely illustrated guide to natural remedies for canine ailments, the British homeopathic/holistic vet Dr. Allport focuses primarily on four major therapies: Aromatherapy, Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine, and Bach Flower Remedies. Discussed in less detail are acupuncture and TCM, T-Touch massage, reflexology, color therapy, crystal and gemstone therapy, iridology, chiropractic, radionics, dowsing, and osteopathy.
The main part of the book consists of a guide to nearly a hundred different health conditions that commonly affect dogs. The ailments are ordered according to body systems and each entry includes a brief description of the ailment and its possible causes and typical symptoms. This is followed by advice on which natural remedies are most appropriate for treatment. Some interesting case studies are included as well.
As an aromatherapist, I am pleased that Dr. Allport has decided to include essential oil treatments as one of his major therapies (these very effective natural remedies are still used only rarely by holistic vets in the U.S.), even if the essential oils he suggests to treat an ailment aren't always the ones I would choose. I also wish he would he would gone into greater detail regarding methods of administration and selecting quality oils. The book's overall lack of detail is its biggest drawback. For instance, homeopathic remedies are often recommended without any mention of the symptom picture that would call for said remedy. Example: For pancreatitis, Dr. Allport states, "Phosphorous and Iris vers. are both suitable remedies." Well, maybe. Depending on the dog's symptom picture, one of these remedies may indeed be indicated, but it's also very possible that the patient's symptoms would call for an entirely different remedy. I would not recommend following the homeopathic suggestions in this book without first consulting a homeopathic materia medica to ensure that the remedy is indeed indicated.