Over the weekend I had a scary experience with my dog Tofu who was lethargic, not eating, and tried to throw up when I gave her a treat. My mind instantly went to a potential blockage, as I’d had a fatal outcome from the same situation with my previous dog, Scooby.
While driving to the emergency room, my mind went all sorts of places but I knew that the hour drive there was necessary as this is a situation that could be potentially deadly if not checked immediately.
Once we arrived, we were told there was a 4-6 (!) hour wait time, and upon checking Tofu’s vitals, she was deemed ‘stable’ and many other more urgent cases had to take precedence. While I understand this, it also immediately made me think of the veterinary shortage crisis we are currently experiencing, not only in this country, but worldwide.
My own vet told me they are inundated and overworked, also because pet parents will take in their pet because of the smallest issues that may have been easily solved at home, or maybe with the assistance of a holistic pet health coach. This clogs up the system and affects their ability to more quickly be able to respond to and handle more serious cases.
Before I go further, I’m happy to share that Tofu’s x-rays came back fine and there was no blockage, and she is now, thankfully, back to her normal self, eating and playing.
While you may not know or think much about the veterinary crisis until you experience it yourself (it’s both frustrating and scary!) it’s important to understand what is actually happening in the field so let’s tackle that first.
The shortage of veterinarians is a multifaceted issue. There’s a growing gap between the number of practicing veterinarians and the demand for their services. This shortage is particularly acute in rural areas and for certain specialties.
The shortage of veterinarians is a multifaceted issue. There’s a growing gap between the number of practicing veterinarians and the demand for their services. This shortage is particularly acute in rural areas and for certain specialties.
Some of the issues facing the industry are:
This shortage leads to overworked veterinarians, longer wait times for appointments, and in some cases, reduced access to care, especially in underserved areas.
Additionally, the pandemic led to a significant increase in pet adoptions as people sought companionship during lockdowns and while working from home.
The American Pet Products Association reported that 70% of U.S. households owned a pet in 2020, up from 67% in 2019.
This sudden increase in pet ownership has strained an already burdened veterinary system, leading to overwhelmed clinics and longer wait times for routine care.
Then we have veterinary staff burnout – this is a real issue!
Vet professionals have been forced to work longer hours and see more patients daily to meet the demand. The emotional stress from dealing with sick animals and distressed owners takes its toll on vets and the staff, who also end up experiencing compassion fatigue, coupled with financial pressure – especially for the younger guard with high student debt.
What does this lead to? Higher turnover rates in the industry, further exacerbating the shortage.
But one of the most serious results of all of these overwhelming factors is that it can end up affecting the quality of care provided.
While most veterinarians strive to maintain high standards, the pressures of the shortage can impact care quality and will be forced to spend less time per patient. If vets are forced to see an increased amount of patients per day, it’s not hard to see that pet parents won’t get the same amount of attention and care they would have otherwise received had this pressure and demand not been as high.
Burnout can affect decision-making and attention to detail, and increase reliance on less experienced staff to handle more responsibilities.
This could in turn lead to missed diagnoses, errors in treatment, or reduced patient/client satisfaction.
As a pet parent, you will have to wait longer to get an appointment.
For example, routine check-ups might require booking weeks or months in advance, while non-emergency but concerning issues may not receive immediate attention.
This can lead to delayed diagnoses and treatments, potentially allowing health issues to worsen before they’re addressed.
And, as in my case, there will be reduced availability of emergency services:
Many emergency veterinary clinics are overwhelmed, leading to long wait times in emergency situations, reduced operation hours and some clinics are even having to turn away non-critical cases. Not a fun situation to be in when you are concerned about your pet!
In critical situations, delays in emergency care could have serious consequences for your pet’s health.
I think many of us have also seen that veterinary costs are now much higher as a result of the vet shortage.
Increased demand allows clinics to charge higher fees, while operating costs are rising due to having to pay higher wages to attract and retain staff. Additionally, some clinics are investing in advanced technology to improve efficiency, passing costs on to you, the consumer.
These higher costs have forced some pet parents to delay or forego necessary care, potentially compromising the health of their pet.
Be prepared to wait to get your dog checked out.
The vet shortage is affecting advanced fields such as oncology and neurology, which often have very few practitioners, and the wait times can be extremely long.
We’ve also seen that smaller, independent vet practices have been forced to shut down as they are not able to compete with larger companies who are buying up veterinary offices and merging them together.
The focus of these corporations is to meet the ‘bottom line’ where vets are forced to see x number of patients per day to meet their quota. As these locations merge, the effect is limited access to veterinary services in rural and underserved areas, and less personalized attention to those patients who are lucky enough to get served.
All of the above illustrate the complexity and far-reaching impacts of the veterinary shortage crisis. It’s a situation that affects not only you as a pet parent and your animals but also has broader implications for animal welfare, public health, and the veterinary profession as a whole.
So what can you do to ensure your dog gets quality care in this current, challenging environment?
The health issues facing dogs currently are chronic conditions such as obesity, arthritis, GI issues and dental disease. These could potentially be avoided if the dog’s diet and lifestyle were addressed early on and can also be supported through holistic modalities.
Recently, I had a senior dog as a client who had serious trouble climbing stairs, his arthritis had gotten so bad. I suggested adding some CBD to his daily regimen, and after only a couple of weeks he started bouncing around like he had done years prior – the owner couldn’t believe her eyes!
Similarly, another dog parent contacted me saying she was at wits end with her dog’s GI issues, and battled both explosive diarrhea and constipation ad the same time, severely affecting the quality of his life. When I suggested she try the special Crockpet diet I recommend for my clients of gentle, home-cooked food, she reported back that after 2 months he no longer had any digestive issues, and his fur was shiny and healthier than ever as well.
Rarely are these options ever discussed or mentioned at the veterinarian’s office, usually you will walk out with a bunch of pills that only function as a band-aid on the problem, not fixing it, but potentially wrecking your dog’s gut health over time, leading to even further health issues.
While many reading this might be skeptical of the validity of holistic treatments, there have actually been peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate the efficacy of these kinds of treatments.
Take for instance the study entitled “Effects of feeding a blend of essential oils and oleoresins to dogs with experimentally induced allergic dermatitis” by Marsella R. Messenger L, Zabel S, et.al published in the Journal of Veterinary Dermatology (2010).
This 8-week long, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study had essential oils added to the diet of 18 Beagles with dermatitis and they experienced less itching and improvement in lesion scores while not experiencing any adverse effects of the treatment. Essential oils is just one of the holistic modalities I employ in my practice where many dogs come to me with allergies, hot spots, and constant itching.
Certified Holistic Pet Health Coaches are trained professionals who specialize in providing guidance and support to pet owners who want to achieve optimal health and well-being for their pets using holistic, integrative veterinary approaches. These coaches have an understanding of the various factors that impact pet health, such as nutrition, exercise, emotional health, and environmental factors.
Personally, I received my training through Dr. Ruth Roberts, a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience and one of the nation’s foremost experts in holistic and integrative veterinary medicine.
Dr. Roberts is also known as the Original Pet Health Coach and the founder of the Original Crockpet Diet, and her program has received approval for 40 hours of RACE CE Credits for Veterinarians and Vet techs through AAVSB.
This is a rigorous, comprehensive and in-depth certification program that is considered a trailblazing new direction in the pet industry with a mission to help empower as many pet parents and pet professionals as possible, providing cutting-edge information and education about holistic pet health.
Holistic pet health coaches focus heavily on nutrition because a proper diet can significantly impact issues like allergies and digestive issues. Our mission is to teach pet parents about preventative care, first and foremost.
So many pet parents wait until there’s an emergency or the situation is really bad with their dog before taking action. Don’t make that mistake!
While there’s an upfront cost to holistic care, the preventative focus of holistic care can lead to fewer veterinary emergencies and chronic health issues over time. This can result in significant savings on medications and treatments in the long term.
Simultaneously, when hiring a holistic pet health coach, you will get highly personalized attention, because we realize this is crucial! This is often difficult, if not next to impossible, to get from an overworked veterinarian who typically sees an average of 20-30 patients per day (I max out at 5!).
Unlike brief vet visits, sessions with a holistic health coach often allow for more in-depth discussions about your dog’s health. This extra time and attention can lead to insights and solutions that might be overlooked in shorter consultations.
A holistic health coach takes into account your dog’s entire being : their physical, mental, and emotional health.
We create a tailored plan that addresses your dog’s specific needs, considering factors like breed, age, lifestyle, and existing health conditions. This personalized approach can lead to more effective and sustainable health improvements, because we address the root cause, not just the symptoms.
While medication is sometimes necessary, holistic approaches often employ natural remedies and lifestyle changes that can be equally effective for certain conditions, with fewer side effects.
Many holistic methods, such as acupressure, massage, or herbal remedies, are non-invasive and gentle. These can be particularly beneficial for dogs that require lengthier treatments over time and older dogs or those with sensitivities to conventional treatments.
While conventional veterinary medicine is crucial for many health issues, integrating holistic approaches can provide additional benefits for your dog’s overall well-being. A pet health coach offers information, education and insights into nutrition, lifestyle, and preventative care that could complement your vet’s treatments, potentially leading to better long-term health outcomes and fewer recurring issues.
It’s worth exploring these options as part of a comprehensive approach to your dog’s health care, especially for managing chronic issues like allergies and digestive problems.
By addressing health from multiple angles, holistic approaches often lead to improvements in energy levels, mobility, and overall vitality. This can result in a happier, more active dog with a better quality of life.
A holistic health coach doesn’t replace your veterinarian but works in conjunction with them. They can offer additional perspectives and options that complement conventional treatments, potentially enhancing their effectiveness.
And finally, our main goal is really to empower you, the pet parent, through education and to take a more active role in your dog’s health. Not by lecturing to you, but showing you the “why” of our suggestions and how we look at ways to support your dog. You’ll gain knowledge about canine health, nutrition, and preventative care that can benefit your dog for years to come.
The process of working with a holistic health coach often involves spending more quality time with your dog, whether through dietary changes, exercise routines, or therapeutic techniques. This will strengthen your bond and deepen your understanding of your dog’s needs. What’s more valuable than that?
P.S. It’s important to note that a holistic pet health coach is not a substitute for a veterinarian, rather we work in conjunction with your medical professional to add support, gentle remedies and options you can employ to help the quality of your dog’s health and happiness.
Ready to try the holistic route? I’m currently offering a special intro consultation to first time clients only at a reduced price so you can see what it’s all about and if it’s a fit for you and your dog!
I promise to give you and your dog my undivided attention while we chat as well as the opportunity for follow-up questions!
Disclaimer: medical information or statements made on this site are not intended for use in or as a substitute for the diagnosis or treatment of any health or physical condition or as a substitute for a veterinarian-client relationship which has been established by an in-person evaluation of a patient. This information and advice published or made available through this website is not intended to replace the services of a veterinarian, nor does it constitute a veterinarian-client relationship. Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary based upon the circumstances, the patients’ specific situation, as well as the health care provider’s medical judgment and only after further discussion of the patient’s specific situation, goals, risks, and benefits and other relevant medical discussions. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
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