Natural Health Care for Your Dog and Cat With Guest: Dr. Richard H. Pitcairn, D.V.M., PH.D., author of "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats" written with Susan Hubble Pitcairn. Original Air Date: 02-05-2010

1

In today's episode, we'll talk with Dr. Richard Pitcairn about how to provide better natural home based care and treatments for your dog or cat. We'll also learn about the practice of homeopathy, the approach Dr. Pitcairn has used for veterinary health care for over 20 years.
(photo courtesy of Rodale Press)

2

An example of Homeopathic medicine. Here is an eyedropper bottle with a herbal extraction made from dried herbs.

3

A Star-of-Bethlehem flower. Flower essences (as used in the preparations by Dr. Bach,) are effective in treating behavioral and physical problems. Dr. Pitcairn relates how he used the flower essence Star of Bethlehem to alleviate the symptoms of a cat that had been violently shaken by a large dog.

4

A woman looking at Bach flower remedies in a store.
(photo courtesy of Casey West from Pittsburgh, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

5

The cat, Chris of New York with serious heart disease.
(photo courtesy of Dr. Richard Pitcairn)

6

A horse with a serious injury that was treated with homeopathy. Warning: the next photo is graphic. It depicts a bloody laceration that this horse suffered.
(photo courtesy of Dr. Richard Pitcairn)

7

This is a severe laceration of the horse's chest. It was treated with just homeopathy. No antiboitics or any other allopathic drugs were used.
(photo courtesy of Dr. Richard Pitcairn)

8

Here is that same laceration, six weeks later that has healed up through the use of homeopathic medicine.
(photo courtesy of Dr. Richard Pitcairn)

9

A case of treating a mule at the Grand Canyon. This is Earl before treatment.
(photo courtesy of Dr. Richard Pitcairn)

10

Earl the mule after treatment.
(photo courtesy of Dr. Richard Pitcairn)

11

A picture of a dog's foot early on and then later with improvement through homeopathy. Maggie the dog had cancer of the foot that had been over-radiated.
(photo courtesy of Dr. Richard Pitcairn)

12

Here was an odd case, the story of Daffy the Duck, with neurological disorder.
(photo courtesy of Dr. Richard Pitcairn)

13

Thinking holistically, to help your pet heal from illness, consider three things: The first being diet. In his book Dr. Pitcairn describes what may be in your commercially processed pet food that may be harmful and also what is missing that would be beneficial. He offers a basic, natural diet you can easily prepare.

14

Secondly, consider the environment your animal lives in. As best as you can, make sure it is free from pollutants and your pet has a comfortable, secure place for rest and receives the proper amount of grooming and exercise. This is a photo of a Boxer puppy sneezing.

15

Thirdly, consider the relationships your pet has with people or other animals. Read the fascinating chapter regarding emotional connections and your pet's health in Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats. There can be emotional factors in pet illnesses.

16

Make a few changes and you can be very effective in increasing the quality of companionship, healing, nutrition and lifelong care for your pet.

Dr. Pitcairn graduated with a BS & DVM degrees from the University of California, Davis, in 1965. Entering private practice in Southern California, he worked with both small animals, farm livestock and zoo animals.  In 1967, he accepted a position at Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, as Assistant Professor. This was followed by full time attendance in graduate school with a major in microbiology and immunology and a minor in biochemistry, this work completed in 1972 with a PhD degree (WSU 1972).  Following this, Dr. Pitcairn worked as a faculty member at WSU, then re-entered private practice at a variety of clinics in Oregon and California, including a several years at the Monterey County SPCA, Monterey, California. In 1982, the first edition, with his wife Susan, of Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide To Natural Health For Dogs and Cats was published. It is now in its third edition (2005). In 1985, he moved to Eugene, Oregon, to establish the Animal Natural Health Center, a practice devoted solely to use of homeopathy and nutritional therapy.  In 1992, following several years of teaching workshops in homeopathy, the Professional Course in Veterinary Homeopathy was established for licensed veterinarians. This is a 130 hour classroom course which meets 5 times over the year and is accredited by the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy. There are homework and case assignments. Completion of the course qualifies the student to enter certification process of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy. By 2009, 14 classes and over 450 veterinarians have been trained in homeopathic practice by Dr. Pitcairn. By 2009, Dr. Pitcairn has taught 125 four-day seminars in homeopathic medicine. In 1995, Dr. Pitcairn co-founded the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy, the first professional organization of practicing veterinary homeopaths in the United States.  In 2006, Dr. Pitcairn retired from a full practice and moved to Sedona, Arizona and established the ANHC Education Programs, dedicated to educating veterinarians in the proper use of homeopathy in clinical practice. He continues to be active in teaching, consulting and writing in the area of homeopathic medicine and healing of disease.

Dr. Pitcairn's Website To Order, "Natural Health for Dogs & Cats"

Additional Resources

Find out more about Dr. Bach's Flower Esssences from The Bach Centre.

Here is a direct website to order Bach Flower Essences, BachFlower.com.