I think that herbs got their bad rep because it is generally associated
with "new age" people who think that herbal tea should be followed with
a dance to the moon goddess.  Then there are those medical doctors, that
look so professional in their sterile white jackets, who have spent so
much time in school learning all they can about scientific treatments
for symptoms.  Personally, I feel both have their place.  Being a medical
doctors is a calling and all the training they go through should give
them enough experience to diagnose and help cure various diseases, but
they are also human.  They have their own beliefs and prejudices that
can hinder the patients ability to make a full recovery.
 
It's unfortunate, but this seems to be especially true with
veterinarians.  In the past, I have run across vets who "treat ferrets".
Yeah, like a dog or cat.  They did not tell me they did not specialize
in ferrets, nor did they refer me to a specialist.  These vets are fine
for routine items such as injections, but to start to get the whole
picture of giving our little fuzzies the highest quality of life, you
need someone who is passionate about them.  Even after that, you need to
do lots of research and ask all the right questions to be sure you get as
much information as you can.  Bob Church has got to be the ideal example
of this.  I have yet to see any specific accreditation, but his obvious
love and passion have led to the type of deep research that a lot of vets
would find hard to follow.  So what is the point?  Get the right vet, ask
plenty of questions and if starting a new treatment (like herbs) check
with your vet to make sure there are no known ill effects.
 
James, Melissa & Kassidy
 
Loving:  Bebe, Riley
Missing: Wheezer, Pym, Rikki, Jako
[Posted in FML issue 4162]