Interview with Charles Loops, DVM – Homeopathic Veterinarian
Dexter Del Mont, an Animal Communicator, suggested that I reach out to Charles for an interview because of his vast knowledge of homeopathic veterinary medicine. Thank you, Charles, for the interview.
Charles Loops’ Website: http://www.charlesloopsdvm.com/
1. How do you work with animals?
My practice is 95% by telephone consultation. Treating homeopathically, the information I need to arrive at the proper treatment or homeopathic remedy is based on information about the animal that comes from the owner/guardian and also from diagnostic information from their regular veterinarian. Since most of my patients are from other states or countries, seeing them in the clinic is not feasible. Fortunately, it is not necessary either as it would be with acupuncture or other touch modalities.
2. When would someone like me with two cats need your services?
I treat everything homeopathically except conditions that would require surgical intervention, so really for anything that comes up we can usually help. I offer a free five minute consultation when it is not clear if the problem is something I might not be able to help with. I also do this for my clients with animals with cancer so that I can tell them what my experience would be with a particular cancer. I also schedule time just for advice concerning nutrition or vaccinations, etc. in young animals.
3. How long have you been doing what you’re doing?
I have been a veterinarian for 32 years and have been using homeopathy for the last 20 years.
4. How did you get into what you’re doing?
By homeopathic treatment helping my personal health issues many years ago and by my frustration with mainstream western medicine approaches to health and wellness.
5. You speak of the necessity of vaccines on your website. If someone already has vaccinated their cats and their vet is recommending they continue, how does a cat owner handle that with their vet? Also, if a rabies shot is mandatory where you live, can you get around it at all? What vaccines are necessary for an outdoor cat? An indoor one? Are there specific brands you prefer?
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The only vaccine that is legally required is rabies. You can refuse the other vaccines for various reasons as they are not required. Even the recommendations from veterinary schools have changed as far as suggesting annual boosters. The current recommendations are every three to five years for boosters or have titers run (requires a lab test – blood sample) as an alternative. There are ways to avoid rabies vaccines in other situations if the animal is at no risk of exposure or if chronically ill, but these situations have to be handled on an individual basis. Our office can be contacted for specific issues.
6. Do you recommend anything in particular for flea control?
No really. It is complicated and depends on each individual animal and the environment and the severity of the problem.
Could you please expand on the flea control thing? I have had a hard time coming to terms with the pesticides on their skin. I live in Kansas City and let my cats outside for 1 hour/day. Last year, I got fleas. This year, they are on Advantage. I hate putting it on them, but I hate fleas too. It’s not a good situation. I also wait about 6 weeks in between doses, as I heard that’s the longest I can wait.
To accomplish flea control with totally non-toxic means is difficult and requires constant application of something, that is, if you are having a problem. If you don’t see fleas, then do nothing, just feed your companions good diets. The garlic/yeast thing is debatable concerning effectiveness but it does no harm. This is also true for other natural supplements that supposedly help with fleas. Using the larval control outside can also be effective is they are confined to an area where application of the larvae that eat the fleas is practical. Large areas are not. For indoors – borax products for carpets are effective sometimes; IGR’s seem to be safe for dogs and cats and will help, using them in the cracks and crevices where fleas reproduce.
I am not against the topicals but I don’t recommend using them as preventatives. Only if you are having a problem. Only Frontline seems to work for ticks and it doesn’t work for fleas. Use it a couple of times a month apart and then hopefully you will not need it anymore. I don’t like combination products that you give for heartworms, fleas, internal parasites and anything else that might come along. Keeping it as simple as possible is best and the least likely to induce toxicity. Beware of new products until they have been around for a few years. Pyrethrins are safe for dogs and cats but cats will salivate. You can’t use synthetic pyrethrins on cats, but ok for dogs and seem to be relatively non-toxic, quick kills for the fleas, but have no residual. YOu can apply them and then wash it off.
Flea combs are helpful also especially for cats and small dogs without long hair.
7. Do you suggest a heart worm preventative if you live in an area full of mosquitoes in the summer? It’s my understanding that there is a “cure” for heartworm in dogs, but not in cats?
I don’t recommend heartworm prevention for cats. I think it is not common enough to merit giving a preventative and most of the time cats will be asymptomatic even if exposed and infected.
8. What preventative measures can a cat owner take to help disease prevention in the future?
Avoid overvaccination, feed good food with variety, lots of exercise, and use homeopathy or other holistic modalities when possible and avoid chemical medications when possible.
9. Do you prefer to work with a certain kind of animal? In other words, is it easier to work with dogs, cats, etc?
I have no preference and my practice is about 50/50.
10. How do your services work? How does someone set up an appointment with you?
Call or email the office. To set up an appointment requires a phone call. Information is on the website under FAQ or you can call 919-542-0442
10. Can you share with us one of your favorite homeopathic stories?
There are so many, but my cancer patients that consistently beat the prognosis of “how long they have to live” is the most rewarding part of my practice. Terminal illness is devastating for the guardians who love their dogs and cats, but being able to give them normal quality of life and generally an extension of that time is most rewarding to me.
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