Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.

We all know that some herbs hold medicinal powers for people, but did you know your pet could also benefit from plants? Cranky cats and dogs with skin allergies are just a few animals herbs can help.

Connie Kallenberg feared a bout with distemper would kill her puppy. She credits herbal therapy with saving his life.

"Nobody expected Toby to be alive today, and as you can see he's healthy and happy and running," Kallenberg tells Ivanhoe. "I feel it like it heals the body gently. It works with the body and that's the Echinacea that my distemper pups took."

Holistic Veterinarian Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M., is Kallenberg's vet and an expert on holistic healing for animals.

"If a person really wants to have a healthier pet, and wants to minimize side effects, minimize the use of drugs which will also reduce the cost for them many times, using this natural approach is really the way to go," Dr. Messonnier, of Paws & Claws Animal Hospital in Plano, Texas, tells Ivanhoe.

Herbs can be used to treat everything from allergies to arthritis to cancer.

Dr. Messonnier says, "Echinacea is a good immune boosting herb. We don't really have a drug counterpart for this."

According to Dr. Messonnier, another herb that veterinarians use for pets with bladder problems is cranberry. Milk Thistle is an excellent herb for liver disease.

"We use aloe a lot topically for pets with allergies," says Dr. Messonnier.

Your pet doesn't even have to be sick to benefit from this green pharmacy approach.

Dr. Messonnier says, "In a lot of healthy pets we might use herbs like alfalfa just for overall health, maybe a mild stimulation of the immune system."

But be warned: some herbs, like black walnut and ephedra, may actually harm your animal so it's best to get your vet's advice.

"You really need to think of an herb like a medication, get the proper diagnosis, and the proper therapy," says Dr. Messonnier.

Kallenberg hopes herbs will keep her pets on the path to good health.

Herbs can also be better on the pocketbook than typical medications. Dr. Messonnier says some medications can cost up to three times more than herbal remedies.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.
Paws & Claws Animal Hospital
2145 West Park Blvd.
Plano, Texas 75075
(972) 867-8800
naturalvet@juno.com
http://www.petcarenaturally.com