Question 1

What is naturopathy?

Accepted Answer

Naturopathy is a form of alternative medicine that uses herbal medicine, nutrition and other holistic therapies to bring the body back into balance and promote healing.

The naturopathic process allows healing through nature, where the therapies are used to help promote health through stimulating the bodies own capacity to heal.

When addressing an animals health concerns, I focus on the underlying driver, or underlying physiological dysfunction, whilst also helping to reduce symptoms they may be experiencing.

Herbal medicine and nutritional therapies may help to support the biochemistry and energy systems throughout the body, which engages the body to heal, rebalance and restore function.

Question 2

How do the consultations work?

Accepted Answer

When you book in an online session with me, there will be a form to complete, that will allow you to send through all of the information that I need before our appointment.

In our zoom or phone call we will further discuss your animals health needs and how we can approach their health concerns. After our appointment, I will send you through an email, that will entail the health protocol for your pet. Any products that you need to purchase can be done through the website.

All initial consultations include a follow- up phone call consultation to check in and make sure everything is on track, and address any issues that may have come up.

When you are ready for a further follow up consultation, you can book this through the website too.

Depending on your individual animals needs, several consultation sessions may be required to get the best results.

Follow up consultations are suitable if your animal has developed a new health concern, or there has been a change in the symptom picture they are experiencing. I also find that this can be ideal for keeping things on track throughout their health journey.

Question 3

What animals do you work with?

Accepted Answer

I can work with all sorts of animals, and adapt things for each unique digestive tract.

Question 4

How long until I can expect to see some changes or results?

Accepted Answer

Generally, I like to see some changes starting to occur around the 2-3 week mark. There are different types of conditions that you will find respond very quickly. Generally I expect this with acute conditions. For more chronic conditions, there is going to be a longer time frame for healing.

If you think about it, these disease processes and imbalance within the body take time to develop, so we have to expect this to take some time for balance and harmony to be restored and function to return to normal.

For some conditions that are more chronic, or degenerative in nature, we may need to look at ongoing care in a management style protocol.

Question 5

Can you work with my veterinarian?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I love to work alongside the animal's veterinarian. I feel very strongly about your animal getting the best care they need. I always think the best care is when you are using a combination of conventional therapies, and alternative therapies.

I cannot diagnose your pet, only a vet can do this.

Some vets are very open and willing to work together, whereas others can be quite negative about you seeking other care options.
I think it is always important for your vet to know everything you are using with your animal. This can help with potential interactions between herbal and nutritional therapies, and medications.

You may find your vet is not as accepting as you would like. Some can be outright rude about it, but generally I find they are willing to work together. If your vet would like to contact me directly, please encourage them to do so via email.

I also encourage you to get copies of any pathology, blood tests etc. These details can be uploaded with the initial consultation form.

Question 6

What are your views on animal nutrition?

Accepted Answer

There are many different ideas around nutrition, and what is the most ideal diet for certain animals.

Each animal has a different set of nutrient requirements and digestive differences, and this needs to be taken into account.

I strongly believe that we have a responsibility to meet the animals’ dietary needs in the best way we can. This includes fulfilling their nutritional requirements - I’m an NRC girl (National Research Council). Animals have their nutritional needs, and it doesn’t matter how natural or organic or varied a diet is, if you are not meeting these basic nutritional needs, you will not see optimal health in your animals- it is basic biochemistry.

Other aspects of nutrition that are also important is the psychological role of food. Are they enriched by this food, or is it the same boring food day in and day out? Are we meeting needs of jaw exercise, gum and tooth stimulation? Are they able to secrete adequate saliva with this diet for the rest of the digestive tract to function optimally?

I also believe diets have to fit into the owner’s financial means, and also in their lifestyle. If you work 50 hours a week, a diet you must make from scratch each day is not going to work. If you are immunocompromised, you may not want your pet eating a full raw diet.

You may not have access to beef hearts, duck feet and angels’ tears, don't worry, I can work with what ingredients you do have access to.

Question 7

Do you use Nutritional supplements in diets, or are they all natural food based ingredients?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I do use nutritional supplements in diets. This is often the only way to meet some of the nutritional needs of your pet. Animals are living a vastly different lifestyle to their closest wild ancestors. The nutritional needs of your high level dressage horse is going to be quite different to the wild fiord ponies. Your couch potato Maltese terrier has different needs to a wolf that is travelling 20km per day.

I always try to meet their needs with food alone, but sometimes its much easier for you as an owner to add in some additional vitamin D, or manganese, vitamin E etc, rather than meeting this with foods.

Some owners that have access to some very good varied ingredients, specifically whole prey- may not need supplementation. Depends if you want your dog chewing on a whole rabbit in the yard, or not.

Many nutritional deficiencies are subtle. There will be a general poor health, or propensity to different diseases. They can take some time to manifest- especially in adults.

In clinic I see many animals that are grossly under supplemented, with overt deficiencies in the diet, but equally I see others that are so over supplemented, the animal has a job to find the food in their bowl of supplements.

I often find myself taking out unnecessary supplements as often as I am adding necessary ones in!

Question 8

How can I find out what my herd animals need in addition to my grass?

Accepted Answer

There are ways to estimate the nutrients in the different grass types. I use a program to calculate their intake from these different grasses and fill the gaps where needed. For the best results, I do recommend a pasture analysis to see exactly what they are getting from the grass. I can also enter this data to calculate what they need.

Question 9

I don't want to change my animal's diet, can you still help me?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Your animal will still benefit from herbal supplements, nutritional supplements or feed additions that are focused on their health needs.

Question 10

I cannot afford everything you have recommended. Can I only use some of the protocol?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I always offer the gold standard advice for my clients. This can mean a very comprehensive protocol. I always try to prioritise my recommendations in order of importance. I do not like to make assumptions on what people can and cannot afford. I offer the best advice in the situation presented. If this falls outside of what you can realistically achieve, please let me know and we can tailor the protocol as required.

Please don't feel uncomfortable discussing this with me. I don't want anyone feeling like natural health care is not financially accessible for their pet.

About Kerrie

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