This past week we’ve learned a good deal about trusting our gut feelings. What comes naturally for most members of the animal kingdom is often repressed in us humans - and that’s Instinct.

We took Scout to the vet after he began showing physical discomfort for no apparent reason. We couldn’t determine what was causing him pain, and we were terribly concerned about his plaintive yelping. He obviously felt awful. After a cursory exam, our vet told us that Scout was probably suffering from a groin pull or possibly a bladder infection. She prescribed Rimadyl (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent that has been linked to kidney and liver failure in dogs) and sent us on our way reminding us to check in with her in a couple of days if Scout was not feeling better.

Now, we’re not veterinarians, but this diagnosis just didn’t sit well with us. We’re not knocking her, we think our vet is pretty great most of the time. But, in this situation we felt she missed the mark. Vets are busy people just like rest of us. With hectic holiday schedules, routine surgeries and the daily influx of emergencies, it’s easy to take a “wait and see” approach and provide pain relief to alleviate symptoms.

When it comes to our own health, and that of our animals, we feel it’s imperative to treat not only the symptoms of illness but the actual underlying cause. That’s why we scheduled an appointment with a holistic vet for a second opinion. During our consultation, our holistic vet spent 45 minutes watching Scout move. We gaited him around the room so the vet could take a good look at his skeletal and muscular structure. She manipulated Scout’s front and back legs, neck and tail to test his flexibility, palpated his bladder and groin, requested X-Rays and took a detailed health history including diet, exercise and prior ailments.

After a fairly comprehensive exam including a review our primary care vet’s notes, the holistic vet determined that Scout’s discomfort was due to a neck injury. She prescribed Traumeel, a natural homeopathic anti-inflammatory agent, and chiropractic care. During his adjustment, the vet found 5 sublexations (misalignments in the spinal column) in Scout’s vertebrae which she corrected. We could visibly see Scout’s body respond postively to chiropractic work. He was able to “relax” for the first time in days. And, we’re happy to report that he’s clearly on the mend.

The bottom line is this: don’t be afraid to question your vet. You know your dog better than anyone including your vet! If you feel that your pet is not getting the care she needs, get a second opinion. You won’t hurt your vet’s feelings, in fact, he or she will respect your decision to seek out further information. The important thing to remember is to communicate with your primary care vet. If requested, he or she will be able to provide you with a referral to a specialist. And, when you do get a second opinion, make sure your primary care vet receives a copy for your pet’s records.

For more information or to find a holistic veterinarian in your area visit The American Holistic Veterinarian Association. You can find additional information on animal chiropractic care at the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.