Ask A Vet – Live Q&A 05/29/26

Ask A Vet – Live Q&A 05/29/26

by | HA! Alternative Therapies, HA! Cancer, HA! FAQ, HA! Homeopathy, HA! Videos

Receiving a difficult diagnosis for your pet can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s cancer, urinary stones, kidney disease, allergies, or another chronic condition, it’s easy to feel like you’ve run out of options.

In this month’s Ask A Vet Q&A, Dr. Christina Chambreau and Dr. Jeff Feinman answered questions from pet parents navigating some of their biggest health challenges. While the conditions varied, one powerful message emerged throughout the discussion:

A diagnosis is not a prognosis.

By looking beyond symptoms and supporting the whole animal, we can often uncover new possibilities for healing, resilience, and long-term wellness. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from this month’s conversation.

Click Here to listen to the audio

Key Takeaways

  • Prioritize Eating Over Diet: For sick pets, feed whatever they will eat to maintain strength. A month of non-prescription food will not cause immediate, irreversible harm like stone recurrence.
  • Treat the Whole Animal: Symptoms (e.g., epulis, allergies) are clues to an underlying energetic imbalance, not isolated problems. A holistic vet (homeopathic, Chinese medicine) treats the root cause to prevent recurrence.
  • Build a Holistic Health Team: Proactively assemble a team (virtual homeopath, local chiropractor) using the holisticactions.com/select guide. This ensures expert support is ready when needed.
  • Use Holistic Actions Resources: Members should use the forum for ongoing guidance and SAGE (VIP AI concierge) for quick answers. The free 101 course is the best starting point for non-members.

Topics

Urgent Care & Dietary Choices

  • Pomeranian with Oxalate Stones: A 9-year-old Pomeranian refused prescription urinary food post-surgery.
    • Recommendation: Feed whatever the dog will eat (e.g., beef, chicken) for ~1 month to restore strength.
    • Rationale: The risk of immediate stone recurrence is low, and the priority is nutrition for recovery.
    • Long-term: Address the root energetic imbalance with a homeopathic or Chinese medicine vet to prevent future stones.
  • Pancreatic Tumor (Sam’s Dog): A dog recovered quickly from a suspected bleeding pancreatic tumor.
    • Recommendation: Continue fresh food and immune support (e.g., turkey tail mushrooms).
    • Considerations:
      • The quick recovery suggests the bleed clotted, a common pattern for hemangiosarcoma.
      • A second opinion from a homeopath or Chinese medicine vet is recommended if the current vet is not providing a full homeopathic case analysis.
      • Research the Bengston Method (“The Energy Cure”) for tumor healing.
  • Pancreatitis Flare-up (Sharon’s Cat): A 13-year-old cat had a pancreatitis flare-up from stress.
    • Recommendation: Rejoin Holistic Actions to use the forum for ongoing guidance.
    • Rationale: The cat’s quick recovery is a positive sign. The goal is to rebalance the vital force to reduce stress susceptibility, not just manage symptoms.
  • Vaccine Concerns:
    • Recommendation: The best “vaccine detox” is building overall health via fresh food, exercise, and a happy environment.
    • Rabies: Stay current on rabies per local law to avoid legal issues (e.g., mandatory quarantine).
    • Other Vaccines: Leukemia and pneumonia vaccines are generally not recommended.

Chronic Conditions & Holistic Framework

  • Anaplasmosis Antibodies (Ava’s Dog): A 4-year-old dog tested positive for Anaplasmosis antibodies after a single day of not eating.
    • Recommendation: Do not use doxycycline. The positive test only indicates past exposure and antibody production, not active disease.
    • Action: Post in the HA forum for ongoing guidance.
  • Epulis (Maria’s Dog): A 5-year-old Australian Shepherd has an epulis (benign gum growth).
    • Recommendation: No surgery is needed if the epulis is not interfering with eating.
    • Rationale: The epulis is a clue to an underlying energetic imbalance. The dog’s inability to eat raw meat without diarrhea confirms a gut issue that needs addressing.
    • Action: Use finger-scrubbing for dental hygiene and find a homeopathic vet (e.g., via the International Veterinary Homeopathy Association).
  • Brain Tumor & Kidney Disease (Kathryn’s Cat): A cat with a suspected brain tumor and kidney issues is on a single homeopathic remedy (Phosphorus).
    • Recommendation: Seek a second opinion from a different homeopathic vet.
    • Rationale: A single remedy based on a superficial characteristic (“orange cat”) is insufficient for a complex case. A full case analysis is required.
  • Allergies (Red Eyes & Scratching):
    • Recommendation: The fresh food diet is a great start. Experiment with protein variety and add pureed vegetables.
    • Action: Keep a detailed journal to track triggers. Consider gut support (e.g., Adored Beast probiotics) and energy healing.

General Holistic Advice

  • Giardia:
    • Recommendation: Do not treat Giardia if the pet is asymptomatic.
    • Rationale: Giardia is often a normal gut flora. Most in-house tests show antibodies (past exposure), not an active infection. A quantitative lab test is needed to confirm a significant parasite load.
  • Worms:
    • Recommendation: Get a stool sample tested to identify the worm type before treating.
    • Rationale: Different worms require different treatments. Roundworm medications (e.g., Pyrantel, Panacur) are generally safe and effective.
  • Dental Health:
    • Recommendation: Use finger-scrubbing for daily dental hygiene.
    • Rationale: This is often as effective as brushing and can be easier to implement. Dental tartar is a sign of an energetic imbalance.
  • Feeding Bowls:
    • Recommendation: Feed pets on flat surfaces, not in bowls.
    • Rationale: Bowls can cause whisker fatigue and are an unnatural way for pets to eat.

Next Steps

  • Amy:
    • Feed whatever the Pomeranian will eat for ~1 month.
    • Join Holistic Actions (holisticactions.com) and post in the forum.
    • Take the free 101 course.
    • Find a homeopathic or Chinese medicine vet using the holisticactions.com/select guide.
  • Ava:
    • Post in the HA forum for ongoing guidance on the Anaplasmosis antibody test.
    • Find a holistic vet using the holisticactions.com/select guide.
  • Carolyn:
    • Post in the HA forum for guidance on gallbladder sludge.
    • Connect with Evie in San Francisco via the forum.
  • Kathryn:
    • Find a different homeopathic vet for a second opinion using the holisticactions.com/select guide.
  • Maria:
    • Continue finger-scrubbing for dental hygiene.
    • Find a homeopathic vet via the International Veterinary Homeopathy Association.
    • Consider joining Holistic Actions to use the forum.
  • Sam:
    • Continue fresh food and immune support (e.g., turkey tail mushrooms).
    • Consult with Dr. Harmon about a homeopathic treatment plan.
    • Consider a second ultrasound to better define the tumor.
    • Research the Bengston Method (“The Energy Cure”).
  • Sharon:
    • Rejoin Holistic Actions (holisticactions.com) and post in the forum for guidance on the cat’s pancreatitis.
    • Review lesson two of the 101 course on food.
  • All Participants:
    • Save the chat for links and notes.
    • Take the free 101 course (holisticactions.com/101).
    • Build a holistic healthcare team using the holisticactions.com/select guide.
    • Keep a detailed health journal for your pet.

Embrace a whole-istic mindset based on vitality, balance, and your pet’s individuality

Would You Like to Join Our Next Public Q&A Webinar?

We hold them every LAST Friday of the month.
Sign up below to get notified about the next session.

Dr. Christina

Christina Chambreau, DVM, is an internationally known homeopathic veterinarian and associate editor of the Integrative Veterinary Care Journal, she’s written several books on animal healthcare.

After opening her own homeopathy veterinary practice in 1983, she founded the Academy Of Veterinary Homeopathy and was on the faculty of the National Center for Homeopathy Summer School for ten years.

Dr. Christina is also an integrative medicine adjunct faculty liaison for the Maryland Veterinary Technician Program and lectures on a wide array of topics including integrating holistic options into veterinary practices, as well as guidance on how to choose the best approaches to heal animals and sustainability.

Dr. Jeff

Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.

Ask A Vet – Live Q&A 05/29/26

Ask A Vet – Live Q&A 05/01/26

by | HA! FAQ, HA! Holistic Vet, HA! Seizures, HA! Videos

A live monthly Q&A where Drs. Christina and Jeff answer real pet health questions through a holistic lens — shifting the focus from symptom suppression to whole-animal healing. Eight pet cases were addressed, covering everything from seizures and lipomas to dental disease and chronic UTIs.

Click Here to listen to the audio
Click Here to download the chat from the replay

 

Key Takeaways

  • Treat the Whole Animal: Symptoms (e.g., elevated liver enzymes, lipomas, seizures) are clues to an underlying energetic imbalance, not isolated problems. The goal is to rebalance the entire system, not just suppress symptoms.
  • Build a Holistic Team: Find a skilled homeopathic, Chinese medicine, or chiropractic vet for deep, constitutional treatment. Use the holisticactions.com/select guide to find practitioners, as a simple Google search is often insufficient.
  • Empower Yourself: You are the most important member of your pet’s healthcare team. Track symptoms with the Healthy Animal Journal, learn energy healing, and maintain a positive mindset to support your pet’s well-being.
  • Holistic Actions Membership: Provides access to the 101 Course, a member forum, and monthly 15-min Q&A calls with Dr. Chambreau and Dr. Feinman. Dr. Feinman’s virtual homeopathic practice is exclusively for members.

Topics

Holistic Philosophy & Symptom Interpretation

  • Symptoms are clues to an underlying energetic imbalance, not isolated problems.
  • The goal is to rebalance the whole animal, which resolves symptoms.
  • Track the “BEAM” (Behavior, Energy, Appetite, Mood) to detect subtle changes and intervene early.
  • Maintain a positive mindset (“happy dances”) to support your pet’s healing.

Finding a Holistic Practitioner

  • Use the holisticactions.com/select guide to find qualified practitioners.
  • A simple Google search or the AHVMA directory may not find the right specialist.
  • A practitioner who only offers symptom-based treatments (e.g., melatonin for anxiety) may not be skilled in deep, constitutional care.
  • Recommendation: Schedule follow-ups every 2 weeks for serious issues to maintain momentum and prevent deterioration.

Case Studies & Recommendations

  • 13-yr-old Mini Goldendoodle (Debbie):
    • Symptoms: Elevated liver enzymes, high cortisol (31), anxiety, weight gain.
    • Recommendation: Find a homeopathic vet for constitutional treatment.
    • Diet: Puree organic vegetables (e.g., kale, spinach) to improve nutrient absorption.
  • 10-yr-old Tibetan Terrier (Cathy):
    • Symptoms: Infiltrative lipoma in armpit causing a limp.
    • Recommendation: Consult a homeopathic vet for expert care.
  • 13-yr-old Poodle Mix (Carolyn):
    • Symptom: Mucus in stool after a new raw food (turkey vs. pork).
    • Recommendation: Re-introduce the new food after a few days to confirm it’s the cause.
    • Success Story: Eating from a dinner plate instead of a bowl resolved eating issues.
  • 22-yr-old Cat (Bhava Devi):
    • Symptoms: Recurrent UTIs with high bacteria count.
    • Recommendation: A homeopathic vet will treat the underlying imbalance, not just the bacteria.
  • 5-yr-old Samoyed/Poodle Mix (Vicki):
    • Symptoms: 57 grand mal seizures despite conventional meds and holistic care.
    • Recommendation: Request a deep, constitutional homeopathic remedy from the current vet.
    • Supplement: Add di-mel (dimethylglycine), which can lower the seizure threshold.
  • 13-yr-old Chihuahua (Jennifer):
    • Symptoms: Congestive heart failure (Grade 5/6 murmur), back discomfort.
    • Recommendation: Find a new vet skilled in deep Chinese medicine (tongue/pulse diagnosis) or a virtual homeopath (e.g., Dr. Judy Stoltz).
  • 11-yr-old Lab Mix (Becky):
    • Symptoms: Digestive upset, low energy, harsh lungs, enlarged spleen.
    • Recommendation: Use Adored Beast supplements for GI health and consider a homeopath instead of costly X-rays.
  • 10-yr-old Cats (Melissa):
    • Cat 1: Dental issues (drooling, air biting).
      • Recommendation: Feed raw meat chunks to clean teeth; consult a homeopath to prevent stomatitis.
    • Cat 2: Urinating on walls for years.
      • Recommendation: Consult an animal communicator to understand the behavior’s cause.

Next Steps

  • All Participants:
    • Join Holistic Actions for access to the 101 Course, member forum, and monthly Q&As.
    • Use the holisticactions.com/select article to find qualified holistic practitioners.
  • Debbie:
    • Find a homeopathic vet for constitutional treatment.
    • Continue Rescue Remedy for anxiety.
    • Puree organic vegetables for better nutrient absorption.
  • Cathy:
    • Contact Chris Auckland to discuss becoming a client for the lipoma.
  • Vicki:
    • Request a constitutional homeopathic remedy from Dr. Vakaroth with bi-weekly follow-ups.
    • Add di-mel to the dog’s regimen.
  • Jennifer:
    • Find a new vet skilled in deep Chinese medicine or a virtual homeopath.
    • Consult Lori McCauley’s YouTube videos for rehab exercises.
  • Becky:
    • Explore Adored Beast supplements for GI health.
    • Consider a homeopath instead of X-rays to manage costs.
  • Melissa:
    • Consult a homeopath for the cat with dental issues.
    • Consult an animal communicator for the cat urinating on walls.

Embrace a whole-istic mindset based on vitality, balance, and your pet’s individuality

Would You Like to Join Our Next Public Q&A Webinar?

We hold them every LAST Friday of the month.
Sign up below to get notified about the next session.

Dr. Christina

Christina Chambreau, DVM, is an internationally known homeopathic veterinarian and associate editor of the Integrative Veterinary Care Journal, she’s written several books on animal healthcare.

After opening her own homeopathy veterinary practice in 1983, she founded the Academy Of Veterinary Homeopathy and was on the faculty of the National Center for Homeopathy Summer School for ten years.

Dr. Christina is also an integrative medicine adjunct faculty liaison for the Maryland Veterinary Technician Program and lectures on a wide array of topics including integrating holistic options into veterinary practices, as well as guidance on how to choose the best approaches to heal animals and sustainability.

Dr. Jeff

Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.

Ask A Vet – Live Q&A 05/29/26

Ask A Vet – Live Q&A 03/27/26

by | HA! FAQ, HA! Nutrition, HA! Videos

This Q&A session focused on reframing pet health symptoms using the Holistic Actions Pet Wellness Framework — emphasizing energetic rebalancing, homeopathic care, and quality of life over symptom suppression. Attendees brought cases covering feline diabetes, IBD, chronic diarrhea, yeast infections, dementia, and stress-related conditions. Drs. Jeff and Christina consistently directed owners toward building a holistic veterinary team and trusting their own intuition.
Click Here to listen to the audio

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Symptoms belong on the surface Skin and GI symptoms signal a healthy enough vital force to keep problems external rather than internal. This reframe reduces owner anxiety — which itself can slow an animal’s healing.

Build your holistic team before illness Establishing relationships with homeopathic, acupuncture, chiropractic, and osteopathic vets before a crisis means faster appointments and better coordinated care when it matters most.

Rotate, don’t fixate Probiotics, foods, and supplements work best when rotated. Relying on a single product or vendor creates vulnerability; variety supports microbiome resilience and avoids dependency.

You are the advocate in charge No vet — conventional or holistic — has the complete picture. Owners must push back, switch approaches, and direct care. Honor what each practitioner knows while staying in the driver’s seat.

Inflammation is a signal, not the enemy Suppressing inflammation without addressing the underlying energetic imbalance only delays resolution. The goal is to understand what the body is communicating and support deeper healing.

See the healthy animal inside Projecting worry onto a sick pet communicates distress and can impede recovery. Visualizing the animal as balanced and well — the Gail Pope / BrightHaven approach — actively supports healing.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

  • Probiotic rotation strategies and top recommended brands (Adored Beast, Fortiflora, Mito Max, Karen Becker)
  • Feline diabetes management — transitioning away from insulin using homeopathy and herbal support
  • Stress-related multi-animal household dynamics — flower essences, Jackson Galaxy Solutions, and environmental enrichment
  • Chronic GI issues (IBD, diarrhea, pancreatitis) — FMT, diet rotation, and the limits of bland diets
  • Kidney disease and feline diet — when protein restriction is and isn’t warranted
  • Yeast overgrowth in dogs — root cause vs. symptom suppression, raw diet, and holistic vet selection
  • Geriatric animal quality of life — dementia, weight loss, muscle atrophy, chiropractic, Tellington TTouch

KEY TIMESTAMPS

  • 2:18 — Pet Wellness Framework overview
  • 4:51 — Probiotic rotation strategy
  • 7:09 — Build your holistic team early
  • 10:05 — Stress & multi-animal households
  • 24:43 — Feline diabetes beyond insulin
  • 29:19 — Navigating conflicting vet advice
  • 34:14 — Reframing inflammation
  • 43:00 — See the healthy animal inside
  • 47:03 — Yeast — root cause approach

NEXT STEPS FOR ATTENDEES

Immediate Actions:

  • Visit holisticactions.com/select to find and build your holistic vet team
  • Start a health journal tracking symptoms, food, schedule, and environmental patterns
  • Rotate probiotics — try Adored Beast, Fortiflora, or Mito Max
  • Save the chat transcript before leaving any Zoom session

Further Learning:

  • Read Don Hamilton’s Homeopathic Care of Cats and Dogs — chapters 2 & 3
  • Explore the HA resource library (Brain section for behavior webinars)
  • Visit brighthaven.org for hospice and geriatric animal care resources
  • Subscribe to Dr. Chambreau’s newsletter at ChristinaChambreau.com
  • Check ttouch.com for free Tellington TTouch sessions

Special Considerations:

  • HA Members: use AI Sage and VIP forum threads for deeper case support
  • Schedule a 15-minute HMDM call for focused dietary or food guidance
  • Ontario-based owners: 8+ holistic vets available — check the holisticactions.com/select article
  • Feline Instincts retiring mid-December — start diversifying cat food sources now

 

Embrace a whole-istic mindset based on vitality, balance, and your pet’s individuality

Would You Like to Join Our Next Public Q&A Webinar?

We hold them every LAST Friday of the month.
Sign up below to get notified about the next session.

Dr. Christina

Christina Chambreau, DVM, is an internationally known homeopathic veterinarian and associate editor of the Integrative Veterinary Care Journal, she’s written several books on animal healthcare.

After opening her own homeopathy veterinary practice in 1983, she founded the Academy Of Veterinary Homeopathy and was on the faculty of the National Center for Homeopathy Summer School for ten years.

Dr. Christina is also an integrative medicine adjunct faculty liaison for the Maryland Veterinary Technician Program and lectures on a wide array of topics including integrating holistic options into veterinary practices, as well as guidance on how to choose the best approaches to heal animals and sustainability.

Dr. Jeff

Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.

Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.