Zoos Increasingly Turning To Alternative Healing Methods

Zoo animals are being treated with alternative methods when traditional veterinary medicine fails them. Zoos are turning to alternative healing methods such as acupuncture, homeopathy, Ayurveda, and herbal remedies. The results have been positive.

At the National Zoological Park in Delhi, India, the veterinarians treated first one and then a second Asiatic

Asiatic lions at the zoo in Delhi, India, have benefited from homeopathic treatment lion with homeopathy when allopathic, or traditional medicines, did not resolve their problem with hind-end paralysis. A year ago a Himalayan black bear with the same condition also responded well to homeopathic treatment. While the zoo's standing policy is to administer allopathic treatment, vets are increasingly willing to employ alternative treatments. (Source: Times of India)

Homeopathy is a system of healing based on a being's unique symptoms and these are matched to a remedy system. Something of a custom fit in an "off the rack" world of medicine.

Over 200 animals at the Singapore Zoo have been treated using acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies, including elephants, giraffes, and sea lions over the past decade.  An orangutan suffering from constipation was given a concoction of honey fused with herbs. A week of drinking the mixture had the primate running smoothly again. (Source: Quigley's Cabinet)

According to the Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre, some wild animal species often have adverse drug reactions to standard drug therapy. These animals do, however, seem to respond well to homeopathic treatments without the risk of side effects. They say that the use of alternative treatments is still based on proper examination and diagnosis of the patient, as well as a review of the living environment. 

Veterinarians who treat pets are also turning to alternative medicine when allopathic methods fail.