Bless you for rescuing the little tyke.

Homeopathy is really not related to herbal medicine. Homeopathy is an energy medicine and works on a totally different plane than herbal medicine which has material ingredient. I have heard it described as the difference between physics and chemistry. They may be compatible at times but one is definitely not a subset of the other. Herbal medicine, like conventional medicine, is often used allopathically which is by definition in conflict with homeopathy.

I think it is difficult for the same practitioner to successfully combine homeopathy with other altmeds. Especially if they claim to be expert in a number of areas. That is really very unlikely because too much knowledge is required for each specialty. We do have some exceptions to that rule here. Wim is well versed in phytotherapy (and I'm sure I'm not the only one here envious of his photographic memory!). There are some others. However, I would be very wary of an eclectic holistic vet. May not apply to your vet, but I do urge caution. For instance, if you are given any indication that they support the use of combination homeopathic remedies, you can pretty safely assume that they do not really understand homeopathy and have not embraced its core principles and therefore may not be capable of true cure, only suppression. There are VERY few worthwhile veterinary homeopaths out there, and therefore much more likely to practice long distance (as Wim does for us). Beware the one convenient enough to drive to, LOL!

My cat died with numerous small bladder stones, but I learned about them from the x-ray which led to her immediately being euthanized (her lungs were gutted out with cancer or something). So I can't tell you what might have worked. In her case, I am sure the stones were part of a chronic condition and not something appropriately treated on their own. That is one of the things that homeopathy must account for because "the disease" is not simply the stones. The stones are merely one symptom of the larger picture from which the remedy should be chosen.

Homeopathy is an incredible healing tool and I encourage you to learn what you can. Treatment of many acute conditions is within my grasp, I believe, but chronic treatment of myself or my pets I leave to the experts, and it must indeed be an expert. Wim posted a good ebook elsewhere. I'd like to add my favorite here:

http://www.alternativa.cz/book/index.htm

Alert!!!! The cat food you are feeding your cat has just been recalled. Please do NOT feed your cat anymore of this food.

http://www.royalcanin.ca/index_en.php

Guelph, Ontario -- As a result of new information received from Menu Foods late yesterday, Royal Canin Canada is recalling Medi-Cal Feline Dissolution Formula canned diet because one production lot (January 08 2009) contains contaminated wheat gluten. This product is produced for Royal Canin Canada by the Menu Foods Ontario plant. Medi-Cal Feline Dissolution Formula canned diet is Royal Canin’s only wheat gluten-containing canned product. This is the only Royal Canin or Medi-Cal product being recalled.
Royal Canin Canada has informed all Canadian veterinary clinics that Medi-Cal Feline Dissolution Formula canned diet, prescribed exclusively through veterinary clinics, should not be fed to cats. Although only one production lot was affected, to eliminate any risks to cats, Royal Canin Canada is proactively advising veterinary clinics to remove all of the Feline Dissolution Formula canned date codes.
This product is not available through retail outlets.

“After being repeatedly reassured by Menu Foods, as reinforced by FDA public statements, that none of the contaminated wheat gluten had made its way to Canada, we were completely shocked to learn yesterday that this was not the case, and that this wheat gluten had been used in the Feline Dissolution Formula canned product” said Xavier Unkovic, CEO Royal Canin Canada. “Once Melamine was identified as a contaminant by the FDA on March 30, we immediately implemented a screening program for raw materials and finished goods including Feline Dissolution. Feline Dissolution canned product in our warehouse tested negative for Melamine. Unfortunately, the one code lot of Feline Dissolution Formula canned that was affected had already been shipped.”
“As animal health professionals and pet owners ourselves, we know this recall will cause concern for our customers as it has for our entire Medi-Cal/Royal Canin team,” said Dr. Brent Matthew, Veterinary Division Director. “We deeply regret that this has occurred.”

To date, Medi-Cal/Royal Canin Veterinary Diet has not received any reports of illness in cats eating this product. Royal Canin Canada has advised veterinary clinics that it will provide financial reimbursement for veterinary costs to ensure the health and wellbeing of cats eating Feline Dissolution formula canned diets. Medi-Cal / Royal Canin’s veterinary experts and representatives are available to support the veterinary clinics and pet owners.
Pet owners who are feeding the recalled product to their cats and have questions related to the recall should contact Royal Canin at
1-866-494-6844.

Wise Owl. Thank you so much for letting me know about the latest recall. I am not feeding Raven this particular one, the one I give her (but she won't eat it) is Dissolution Diet in Gravy by Royal Canin. The reason it was recommended for her was because of the bladder stone, so the food did not cause the stone. However, I am taking no chances. I will return the food tomorrow to the Vet. I am now in the process of trying to buy organic food for both my cats. I have ordered some online and I understand PetSmart has something called Blue something or other. This whole recall thing has been very disturbing and I was thankful the food I normally feed my cats was never (so far) on the list. I give them Fancy Feast which they love, and I checked each can I had and the only ones that contained wheat gluten in them were the marinated and grillled varities. They immediately went into the trash. The other cans have no wheat gluten so they will still get it until I can convince them to eat the organic food which I hope to receive soon.

Hi Wise Owl. I want to clariy that the reason I said Raven was not eating the food you mentioned, even though it was also made by Royal Canin, is that there is no word Med on the can. I did call Royal Canin when the recall was first announced and was told that their products were not affected by the recall. Not a happy camper now that the one brand has been. I just checked the can of the Dissolution Formula in Gravy and it does contain wheat gluten. I am rather glad Raven did not eat it, although she loved the gravy. I would be interested to know what foods the members on this forum give their cats and where they get it. I have heard of the Big Bad Woof, which is located not too far from me and they have all organic food. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You are welcome. Please check the recall thread here in the pet forum as there are a bunch more recalls now from Menu foods and Nutro. Please check to make sure none of your cat food is on this latest list.

Julie

I can not advise you on foods for cats other than a raw fed diet of meat/organs and edible bones.
Unfortunately my cat died about 3 weeks ago after eating possibly tainted pet food. I received an email today from another cat owner who said her cat is on iv fluids in intensive care for 6 days now due to eating the same food. She also said her vet had sent the food out to be tested. She had contacted Del Monte (the pet food maker of 9 lives Shredded Turkey with Gravy which has wheat gluten in it) and they at least said the second time she called that they were investigating it now and they would get back to her. The first call they just blew her off. I think the fact that her vet has sent the food to be tested got their attention...I hope. If it tests positive, I have a case against them as my cat is in cold storage till spring thaw. I will have him tested for melamine..

I am beyond mad at this point.

Just be very careful of anything you feed that is commercially made. Call the company and ask where they get their ingredients from. Cats do not require grains/veggies or fruit as they are obligate carnivores and can't digest anything but meat.

Julie

Julie, I am so sorry that you lost your precious cat because of this horrible recall. I am watching the 11:00pm news while answering E-mail and such and the Senate is now going to hold hearings regarding this whole business. This has been terrible and I hope the FDA starts regulating the pet food business as they do our own food. It is heart breaking to know that the food our cats eat might have been harmful to them. I don't blame you for being angry, I would be furious myself. I am more convinced than ever now that my cats will start getting organic/natural foods from here on out. I have been E-mailing a very nice guy who is the president of Weruva Foods and I am ordering food from a place he recommended tomorrow. I don't know where you live, but David told me that they have been negoitating with distributors here in Maryland, so I am hopeful that soon I will be able to get the food locally rather than having to call New Jersey. Again, my heart goes out to you.