Using Holistic Medicine...

Sigh.

Ok, first off...I just wish there was something in between.  I'm not 100% sold on doing only Western or only Eastern Medicine 

Maybe because I'm an Aries, I question EVERYTHING...and only trust what I see with my eyes and not what people tell me...what I do know is that I'm going with my gut.

My gut says to try something a little more gentle, something that has been around for a very, very long and something that has been proven to work with other people going through what we are going through.

So...Holistic medicine was that route to take.

I just couldn't get comfortable with certain vaccines that came only as a tri-medicine form (EEE/WEE/Tetanus for example) to administer to Lazarus.  I can't run the risk of his laminitis returning or setting him back with a typical vaccine.  That being said, I didn't want to leave him unprotected against the EEE which has been showing up in our State of Michigan.  

So...I purchased a nosode of EEE and gave him his first dose on Sunday.

He seems totally fine (knocking on a forest of wood!) and he'll get 2 doses a month until frost for this.

So, let me back up.  

Last Tuesday evening I met with a lady that many of my horse friends (including Cliff) use.  Her name is Sue and she is a Homeopathic Equestrian Care Consultant.  What does that mean? To me it means another source of care for Laz, that explores more into the holistic world.  It's micro nutrition used to stimulate and strengthen the body's own natural ability to heal itself.  I think it's a good balance along with normal vet care, and in this case, offers me options to treatment for Laz, who seems to react strongly to medicine.  I did talk to a different young vet who offered me some great insight. She is a MSU Vet and said she's intrigued by holistic treatment as an option, and supports it via using Sue, but offers normal vet care when needed.  I'm hanging on her number in case we choose to switch to her.  I like the option of having a vet that is open and clear on what I'm doing, instead of against it because they aren't willing to hear/learn about it.

So back to Sue.

For $55 she came out and did a 2 hour check of Laz (all external, no bloodwork) and talked to me and listened to our story.  She thought he looked good, bright eyes, good coat/skin/hair.  It was CRAZY windy so he was UP UP UP and she was like "is he always this nervous?" but on windy days, yes. 

She gave us all the goodies shown below to aid in his healing, and we may stay on some for longer, or switch it out for new versions.  It seems with some of these 'meds' they can help many issues and some are needed for beginning, or for a cleanse and not long term.  

What I like too, is the price point.  The meds range from $11-22 each and last up to 3 months. 

I took a close of picture of the 'dose'..they are teeny tiny little globules, or balls, about the size of 1/2 a sesame seed.

One dose is approximately 10-15 but Sue said it's ok to be a little more/less when dosing.

So, I know, some of you were interested in the details.  

I'm going to list what we have, and what it does.  PLEASE by no means, do this on your own.  I would recommend to talking to a professional and doing your own research, as we are learning as well and using Sue for our knowledge.  I haven't started any of this yet...I wanted to give Laz a chance to do well with equine dentist (check) and with the nosode of EEE (check).  

Ok, here's what is in our little apothecary:

Conium-2 x a day-for motor nerve endings in rear end

Arnica-2 x a day-for inflammation and swelling 

Ruta-2 x a day-ligament and joint stiffness

Silicia-2 x a day-for regeneration

Calc Fluor-2 x day-for hoof growth (use 2 x a day for 2 months, then 3 x a week for a month, then 3 x a month until hoof is normal)

Secale-1 x a day-for circulation restriction, to allow circulation in weakness of rear

Lycopodium-1 x a day-every 2 days-cleanses stomach, liver, spleen

Kelp-1 to 2 tablespoons, 1 x a day-helps general health; digestion, condition of skin, hooves- 12 vitamins, 60 major and trace minerals and 20 key amino acids

Celtic Sea Salt-1 teaspoon, 1 x a day-nature's electrolyte aiding in better digestion and stabilizing bodily functions and fluids

Overwhelmed yet?! 

My plan, is to give this a good try...when I'm out of the medicine, I will revise and see what I think is essential. I like the idea of the sea salt and kelp..and possibly the Arnica

We'll see.........I hope for good luck with this and above all, for Laz to continue to feel healthy and grow strong.  I also hope that this will build his immunity up so he won't react to medicine so adversely in the future, if/when he needs it.  

Also, Sue works with dogs! So Mason may be put on some holistic options to help him out.  She thought his thyroid was goofy which is quite interesting because as a puppy, he got really sick with demodex and the vet back then, told me that he could have a screwy thyroid...so we'll see.  She also recommended stopping the use of vaccines (other than rabies) because many of them cause tumors, which he has a couple lumps already on his rib cage. 

Again, I feel the need to say...I'm not selling holistic as the only option.  I don't have an 'easy keeper' horse and I have to find alternative solutions and second guess what goes into his body from what happened to him last Fall.  I'm stepping into this direction and if it works for us, GREAT...if not, I'm still learning.  All I know is that I feel better about this treatment for US.  I want to write about it in case someone out there finds themselves in a similar situation as we are in.