Ask A Vet – Live Q&A 02/26/26
This monthly Q&A webinar, hosted by Holistic Actions, focused on answering community members’ pet health questions through the lens of holistic and integrative veterinary medicine. Presenters Dr. Christina Chambreau (a former homeopathic veterinarian now practicing pet health advising) and Dr. Jeff guided participants through case-by-case discussions covering cat kidney disease, canine digestive issues, skin conditions, behavioral problems, mobility challenges, and the fundamentals of homeopathic prescribing. The session was framed around the book Path to Pet Wellness and the Holistic Actions community platform.
Key Takeaways
Treat the Whole Animal, Not Just the Symptom Holistic medicine aims to rebalance the entire vital force rather than suppress individual symptoms. Homeopathic prescribing is based on the totality of symptoms — from birth onward — not on isolated diagnoses. Suppressing symptoms forces the body to continually recreate them, depleting mitochondrial energy over time and increasing susceptibility to more serious disease.
Skin Symptoms Are Protective — Not a Crisis When the body’s vital force is imbalanced, it channels symptoms to the least critical organ system possible. Skin symptoms (itching, hot spots) are far preferable to the same imbalance manifesting in the liver, heart, or kidneys. Reframing skin issues this way reduces caregiver anxiety and redirects focus toward root-cause treatment.
BEAM Is Your First Assessment Tool Before any treatment decision, assess Behavior, Energy, Appetite, and Mood (BEAM). A dog with diarrhea who still runs eagerly outside and begs for food is in a very different state than one who is lethargic and disinterested. BEAM provides the essential baseline for judging whether symptoms are worsening or improving.
Food Variety Prevents Sensitivity and Intolerance Feeding a single protein or brand long-term creates dependency and sensitivity. Rotating proteins and brands — even in small amounts — trains the GI tract to tolerate variety. If a pet requires slow food transitions or develops symptoms whenever food changes, this signals an underlying internal imbalance that needs holistic correction, not just dietary management.
One Health Medicine = Energetic Hygiene The upcoming One Health Medicine month will cover how to conserve cellular and mitochondrial energy in pets, people, and the environment. Treatments that work with the body’s natural rhythms — rather than suppressing symptoms — preserve vitality. Love, play, and joyful engagement are legitimate and powerful therapeutic tools.
Finding the Right Holistic Vet Is Essential Google searching alone is ineffective. Use holisticactions.com/select to locate holistic, homeopathic, and integrative veterinarians locally or virtually — including international resources for UK and European members. Virtual homeopathic vets are available worldwide. Having a holistic partner before a crisis arises is critical.
Main Topics Covered
- Finding and selecting a holistic or homeopathic veterinarian (local and virtual)
- Foundations of homeopathic prescribing: vital force, totality of symptoms, suppression vs. cure
- Feline kidney disease (CKD): fresh food, protein/phosphorus guidance, sub-Q fluid preparation
- Canine diarrhea and GI sensitivity: BEAM assessment, marshmallow root, fermented broths, food rotation
- Respiratory issues in dogs: negative ion generators, snuffle mats, nebulizers, essential oils
- Skin conditions as protective symptoms: reframing itching and hot spots holistically
- Behavioral issues: Tellington TTouch, Five Element Theory, clicker training
- Canine mobility and fitness: Lori McCauley YouTube exercises, hillside walking, incremental training
- One Health Medicine: energetic hygiene, mitochondrial energy, upcoming webinar series
Next Steps for Attendees
Immediate Actions
- Read holisticactions.com/select in full to find your holistic vet — do this now, before a crisis
- Assess your pet’s BEAM (Behavior, Energy, Appetite, Mood) as your baseline monitoring tool
- Begin rotating food proteins and brands to prevent GI sensitivities from developing
- Practice picking up loose skin on your cat’s neck and rewarding — preparation for potential sub-Q fluids
- Save the webinar chat for all links shared during the session (three-dot menu → Save)
Further Learning
- Take the free Holistic Pet Care course at holisticactions.com (members and non-members)
- Read Path to Pet Wellness by Dr. Jeff — leave an Amazon review to support the movement
- Explore homeopathy courses in the Holistic Actions member library (intro + intermediate levels)
- Check out Herbs for Pets by Greg Tilford for herbal guidance
- Search YouTube for Lori McCauley (canine mobility exercises)
- Visit ttouch.com for Tellington TTouch courses on behavioral support
- Look up Elizabeth Ann Johnson’s book on Five Element Theory and dog behavior
Special Considerations
- UK/international attendees: holisticactions.com/select includes British and international vet directories
- For cats with CKD: phosphorus restriction is not necessary with fresh food diets until late-stage disease
- For animals on chronic supplements: evaluate whether you’re managing symptoms or addressing root imbalance
- Join the upcoming One Health Medicine webinar series starting Monday (Dr. Jeff + Dr. Liz Shand from New Zealand)
Contact & Resources
| Dr. Christina Chambreau | Pet health advising; newsletter at christinaborough.com |
| Dr. Jeff | Co-author, Path to Pet Wellness; co-host, Holistic Actions webinars |
| Holistic Actions | holisticactions.com — courses, forum, member library, webinars |
| Find a Holistic Vet | holisticactions.com/select |
| Free Pet Care Course | Available to all at holisticactions.com |
| Upcoming Webinars | One Health Medicine Month — Monday (Dr. Jeff) + Dr. Liz Shand, NZ (Tuesday) |
| Next Monthly Q&A | Last Friday of March |
Key Timestamps
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00:00 | Welcome & Book Review Request — Monthly Q&A opens; request for Amazon reviews for Path to Pet Wellness |
| 00:02:00 | Finding a Holistic Vet — How to use holisticactions.com/select; why Google alone fails |
| 00:08:00 | Homeopathy Basics & Totality of Symptoms — Vital force, prescribing on totality, member courses |
| 00:09:55 | Kidney Disease in Cats — Fresh food diet, protein vs. phosphorus, sub-Q prep, laser acupuncture |
| 00:26:45 | Diarrhea & Food Sensitivity — BEAM assessment, food rotation, marshmallow root, fermented broths |
| 00:32:37 | Skin Problems as Protective Symptoms — Why skin symptoms beat internal organ symptoms |
| 00:46:30 | Holistic Actions Learning Platform — Member courses, journals, forum; going beyond single-problem fixes |
| 00:47:00 | Behavioral Issues & Tellington TTouch — Demand barking, ttouch.com, Five Element Theory for dogs |
| 00:50:22 | Mobility & Canine Fitness — Lori McCauley YouTube exercises, hillside walking, love/play as medicine |
| 00:54:55 | One Health Medicine Month Preview — Energetic hygiene, mitochondrial energy, upcoming webinar series |
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.
2/16/26 Empower Hour! PPW in Practice: A Live Q&A on Mind, Intuition & Healing
2/9/26 Empower Hour! Embracing the Spirit of Holistic Health
What if your bond with your pet goes deeper than you think — maybe even deeper than this lifetime? In this Holistic Actions! webinar, Dr. Doug Knueven explores the spiritual side of the human-animal connection, drawing on the teachings of mystic Edgar Cayce and decades of holistic veterinary practice. From the science of why pets literally make us healthier, to thought-provoking stories of animal empathy and psychic ability, this session is a beautiful reminder of why our animals mean so much to us — and how to honor that connection more intentionally.
Key Timestamps
- 0:00 — Knueven’s Journey Into Holistic Vet
- 4:30 — Who Was Edgar Cayce?
- 10:00 — How Cayce’s Readings Worked
- 14:00 — Cayce’s Holistic Medicine Legacy
- 17:30 — Why “Holistic” Has an H
- 20:00 — Pet Reincarnation in Cayce Readings
- 25:00 — Animals’ Inner Life & Psychic Abilities
- 28:30 — Tara the Hero Cat
- 31:00 — Science of the Human-Animal Bond
- 37:00 — Pets as Our Spiritual Bridge
- 40:00 — Guided Meditation With Your Pet
Key Takeaways
- Edgar Cayce’s Holistic Legacy: The “father of holistic medicine” established the body-mind-spirit healing model. His work directly inspired the American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) and its veterinary counterpart (AHVMA), which adopted the “H” in “holistic” to signify the holiness of healing.
- Pets as Spiritual Guides: Pets are spiritual beings that help bridge the gap between our modern, nature-disconnected lives and the divine. The Cayce readings suggest past-life connections can explain strong bonds, though human and animal souls do not transmute.
- Proven Health Benefits: The human-animal bond provides significant, research-backed health benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved lipid profiles, and reduced loneliness. These benefits are so compelling that the American Heart Association has recognized them.
- Actionable Tools for Connection: Practical tools for deepening bonds include meditating with pets, using visualization, and employing energetic remedies (e.g., homeopathy, flower essences) to resolve behavioral issues between household animals.
Topics
Edgar Cayce: The Father of Holistic Medicine
Background: A medical intuitive (1877–1945) who gave over 14,000 transcribed readings while in a trance state.
Core Philosophy:
-
- Body-Mind-Spirit: Healing requires addressing physical, mental, and spiritual aspects.
- Individualized Care: Remedies are specific to the person, not the disease.
- Universal Christ Consciousness: An innate spirituality accessible to all.
- Reincarnation: Souls reincarnate within their species (human → human, animal → animal).
- Influence on Holistic Medicine:
- The American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) was founded in 1978 by three ARE members.
- The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) was founded in 1982, adopting the AHMA’s “H” spelling to emphasize the holiness of healing.
The Spiritual Connection with Animal Companions
- Pets as Spiritual Beings: Animals are spiritual beings that help us reconnect with nature and the divine, which modern life has separated us from.
- Evidence of Inner Life:
- Self-Awareness: Demonstrated by elephants, great apes, dolphins, and magpies in mirror tests.
- Empathy: Rats free trapped companions, primates comfort each other, and dogs console crying humans.
- Psychic Abilities: Examples include Oscar the therapy cat predicting deaths and Bobby the Wonder Dog traveling 2,800 miles home, driven by a psychic connection to his family.
Health Benefits of the Human-Animal Bond
- Children: Improved self-esteem, social competence, and reduced aggression.
- Adults: Lower blood pressure, improved lipid profiles, and a healthier stress response.
- Elderly: Reduced loneliness and increased physical activity.
- Source: The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI.org) provides extensive research on these benefits.
Practical Tools for Deeper Connection
- For Individual Pets:
- Meditation: Meditate with your pet to create a shared, peaceful space.
- Visualization: Use mental imagery to strengthen your bond.
- For Multiple Household Pets:
- Energetic Remedies: Use homeopathy or flower essences (e.g., Jackson Galaxy’s Safe Space) to resolve conflicts.
- Pheromones: Use species-specific pheromones (e.g., Feliway for cats, Adaptil for dogs) to reduce stress.
- Individualized Approach: Understand each animal’s needs and personality to mediate conflicts.
Next Steps
- Dr. Jeff Feinman: Host the book launch webinar tomorrow (1:30 PM) and the final book webinar on Valentine’s Day (1:30 PM) on the power of love and bonding.
- Attendees:
- Explore HABRI.org for research on the human-animal bond.
- Practice the guided meditation to deepen your connection with a pet.
- Consider using energetic remedies or pheromones to improve pet relationships.
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DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.
Copyright © 2023 HolisticActions.com
2/2/26 Empower Hour! The PPW Roadmap: Shifting into the Path to Pet Wellness
Ask A Vet – Live Q&A 01/30/26
What do bloody stool, chronic ear infections, and excessive itching have in common? They’re all symptoms that send pet parents into a panic—and they’re all clues your pet’s body is trying to tell you something.
In our January 2025 Ask A Vet Q&A, Dr. Christina and Dr. Jeff Feinman answered real questions from pet parents just like you who are navigating the confusing world of pet health. From French Bulldog allergies to cat pyothorax, we covered the framework that transforms you from a worried pet owner into a confident health partner for your furry family member.
The biggest lesson? Stop fighting symptoms and start listening to them. Because when you understand what your pet’s body is communicating, you unlock the path to true healing, not just temporary relief.
Key Timestamps
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04:10 Understanding Symptoms as Clues – When to Panic vs. Watch & Wait
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06:29 Jackie – Chronic Vomiting, Diarrhea & Protein Loss in Older Dogs
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10:40 Dog Allergies, Raw Feeding & Diet Rotation Tips
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13:41 Dog Eye Discharge & Signs of Internal Imbalance
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20:40 Ear Mite Treatment for Cats – Castor Oil & Neem Approach
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25:48 Post-Surgery Care for Cats with Idiopathic Pyothorax
-
30:09 Excessive Itching & Hair Pulling in Cats / Homeopathy Success Story
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38:00 Managing Chronic Conditions – Mitral Valve Disease & Supplements
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54:00 Announcements: Path to Pet Wellness Month, Book Launch & Upcoming Masterclass
Key Takeaways from This Month’s Q&A
1. Context Over Panic: The Four-Question Framework Before you rush to the emergency vet, ask yourself these critical questions:
- How is my pet’s overall BEAM (Behavior, Energy, Appetite, Mood)?
- What’s the context? (What happened recently? Any pattern to timing?)
- Is this a sudden, dramatic change or a gradual symptom?
- Have we seen this before during similar circumstances (weather, stress, etc.)?
If your pet’s BEAM is good and they’re happy, active, and eating well, most symptoms fall into “watch and wait” rather than “emergency” territory.
2. Symptoms Are Clues, Not Enemies That diarrhea? It might be your dog’s body flushing out toxins. The eye discharge? An early warning sign of internal imbalance. The occasional bloody stool? Could be anal glands, not a digestive crisis.
The holistic approach teaches you to embrace symptoms as valuable information about what’s happening inside your pet’s energy field—then address the root cause, not just mask the outward signs.
3. The Susceptibility Secret We introduced a game-changing concept: susceptibility vs. resilience. Your pet’s susceptibility is their energetic tendency to get sick or stay well. Building resilience through fresh food, proper nutrition, energy medicine, and homeopathy reduces susceptibility and creates lasting health—not just symptom suppression.
4. Fresh Food Is Foundation Whether it’s a French Bulldog with allergies, a cat licking herself raw, or a dog with chronic vomiting, the first step is always the same: ditch the dry food and switch to fresh, whole foods. Raw feeding, rotation diets, and nutrient-dense meals support the immune system and give the body what it needs to heal from within.
5. Early Warning Signs Matter Many things pet parents accept as “normal” are actually early warning signs of internal imbalance:
- Bad breath or doggy odor requiring frequent baths
- Eye boogers or tear staining
- Mild skin issues or occasional itching
- Picky eating or food sensitivities
- Attracting fleas
Healthy pets don’t have these issues. When you see them, it’s time to strengthen the foundation and rebalance the energy field.
6. When to Seek Holistic Care If your pet has chronic, recurring issues—allergies that keep coming back, ear infections that never fully resolve, digestive problems that cycle endlessly—it’s time to work with a holistic veterinarian trained in homeopathy or Chinese medicine. These modalities address the energetic imbalance causing the symptoms, not just the symptoms themselves.
Topics Covered in This Q&A
French Bulldog Health
- Managing bloody stool episodes (when to worry vs. watch)
- Addressing bad breath naturally
- Raw feeding and diet rotation strategies
- Anal gland issues vs. rectal bleeding
Chronic Digestive Issues
- Protein-losing enteropathy in a 10-year-old dog
- Why prescription diets often make things worse
- Vomiting and diarrhea: soothing symptoms while healing the root cause
- The role of probiotics, bone broth, and fermented foods
Eye & Ear Problems
- Eye discharge (boogers) as an internal imbalance indicator
- Ear mites in rescued cats: natural treatment with castor oil and neem
- Chronic ear infections that won’t resolve
- Using symptoms as markers of healing progress
Skin Conditions
- Cat excessively itching and pulling out fur
- Case study: 9 years of belly licking resolved with homeopathy
- Why it’s not an “allergy”—it’s vital force imbalance
- Picky eating as a symptom of declining energy
Serious Conditions
- Cat with idiopathic pyothorax (pus in chest) post-surgery
- Mitral valve disease in small dogs: supplement management
- Suspected Addison’s disease and trembling
- When surgery is necessary and what comes next
Holistic Approaches
- Finding the right holistic veterinarian (homeopathy vs. Chinese medicine)
- The difference between palliation, suppression, and cure
- Energy healing: Reiki, Tellington TTouch, and intention setting
- Building immune system strength through happiness and stress reduction
Unusual Behaviors Explained
- Dogs eating frozen poop in winter (is it normal?)
- Early warning signs of internal imbalance
- Fecal matter consumption: when it’s a problem vs. seasonal behavior
- Microbiome health and coprophagia
Practical Guidance
- The free Holistic Healthcare 101 course
- Using the Holistic Actions! forum for 24/7 support
- Working up vitamin C doses for heart conditions
- Creating symptom journals to track healing progress
The Path Forward
True healing isn’t about eliminating every symptom your pet experiences. It’s about strengthening their vital force, reducing susceptibility, and building resilience so their body can do what it’s designed to do: heal itself.
Whether you’re dealing with a minor issue like eye boogers or a serious diagnosis like pyothorax, the framework remains the same:
- Assess BEAM and context
- Address foundation (fresh food, toxin avoidance, happiness)
- Work with qualified holistic practitioners for energetic rebalancing
- Track symptoms as healing markers, not problems to eliminate
- Trust the process and give it time
Ready to dive deeper? Our Path to Pet Wellness book launches next month with the complete framework for partnering with your pet’s natural healing intelligence. Pre-order now and join us on this journey to vibrant, lasting health for your beloved companions.
Can’t wait? Join Holistic Actions! Academy today for immediate access to our veterinary team, comprehensive courses, and a supportive community of pet parents who’ve already transformed their pets’ lives.
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.