Dr. Sagrera, DVM
Dr. Adriana Sagrera graduated from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1987 and practiced traditional veterinary medicine for six years. In 1993, she commenced her studies in veterinary homeopathy and became a certified classical veterinary homeopath in 1995. She now has accredited status. She has had training in veterinary chiropractic medicine and is certified in western herbal medicine by the Southeast School of Botanical Medicine. Since 1994 Dr. Sagrera has continued her homeopathic training with advanced courses and has completed her studies in advanced veterinary homeopathy with Dr. Richard Pitcairn. She is currently studying veterinary Chinese herbal medicine.
Dr. Sagrera is committed to alternative medicine exclusively as a way to improve the health of her patients by the most natural and non-invasive means possible. To this date, she has spoken to various canine clubs, the student LVMA, and is available to speak to other professional groups. She is a member of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy (Past – President) and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Sagrera utilizes computerized repertories and has direct contact with most of the top veterinary homeopaths in the country. Dr. Sagrera currently treats animals with homeopathic medications as well as Chinese herbal remedies, nutrition, and traditional medicines when necessary.
What is Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a scientific method of treatment based on stimulating your animal’s body to heal itself. This type of therapy concentrates on both the mental and physical aspects of the animal and views the animal as a unique whole. This implies treatment for the total animal and not just for one part or organ. Symptoms are a sign that your animal is trying to heal. As a homeopath, Dr. Sagrera (and her staff) must gather as much information as possible about the totality of the symptoms in order to understand all the ways in which the healing forces are already acting. In homeopathy, treatment is based primarily on symptoms and careful observations noted by the owner. In addition to these observations, laboratory tests are sometimes used in diagnosis and treatment.
Homeopathic medicines are prepared from over 2000 mineral, plant, and animal sources. Each medicine has been experimentally tested on human beings in order to determine which type of individual responds most strongly to each substance. The experiments record in great detail the precise mental, emotional, and physical response of each subject. The task of the homeopath during the interview is to match the total symptom picture of one of these substances. When this substance is given as a remedy, it then powerfully stimulates the healing of whatever disease(s) may be present. The basic law underlying homeopathy is the Law of Similars: whatever symptoms a substance produces in a healthy animal will cure those same symptoms in a sick animal.
What to Expect
In acute diseases, relief can occur within a few hours to a day or two; however, in chronic diseases, improvement is slow and gradual, typically taking as long as three months depending on the severity and duration of the disease and the previous use of standard medicines. Frequently, but not always, a “homeopathic aggravation” occurs within a few days to two weeks after a remedy is taken. Most aggravations last a day or two, at the most a week. During this period, symptoms may temporarily increase before they are relieved as the healing action of the body is strengthened.
What Interferes
Remedies should be stored at room temperature in a dry, dark place without strong odors. Remedies should be kept at least three feet away from any electromagnetic fields, such as computers, microwaves, refrigerators, LCD displays, TVs, cellular devices, etc.
There are basically two ways by which you can interfere with the action of the remedy: by antidoting it and by suppressing symptoms. Remedies can be antidoted either partially or completely. Once a remedy has been antidoted, the new symptom picture may differ from the old one in subtle ways, making it more difficult for the homeopath.
Antidotes
- Menthol
- Mint Essential Oils
- Camphor
- Tea Tree Oil
- Coffee
- Electric Heating Pads
- Dentistry and Surgical Procedures: Anesthesia as well as actual tooth cleaning or surgical operations can antidote a remedy. Antibiotics administered at the time of the procedure can also interfere, so please check with Dr. Sagrera before doing any type of medical procedure.
Suppression
Allopathic drugs: Allopathic drugs i.e. prescriptions dispensed by your veterinarian or pharmacist, are designed to remove specific or local symptoms without regard to the animal as a whole. This approach leads to the suppression of symptoms, which may antidote the remedy.
Herbal Mixtures: Some herbal combinations can also suppress your pet’s symptoms, not allowing the homepathics to work to their best degree. Please run all herbal supplements by Dr. Sagrera before administering them to your pet.
Services
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a scientific method of treatment based on stimulating your animal’s body to heal itself. This type of therapy concentrates on both the mental and physical aspects of the animal and views the animal as a unique whole. Dr. Sagrera became a certified classical veterinary homeopath in 1995 and now has accredited status. She utilizes computerized repertories and has direct contact with most of the top veterinary homeopaths in the country.
Nutrition
You pet’s diet is essential to its health. Dr. Sagrera will develop a complete diet for your pet in order for his/her body to receive the nutrition it needs to thrive. At Natural Pet Care, we carry many balanced dry and canned dog and cat foods, as well as many raw food options. In addition, Dr. Sagrera recommends nutritional supplements to improve your pet’s overall health.
Herbal Medicine
Dr. Sagrera often recommends various herbs and herbal medicines to compliment your pet’s diet and any homeopathic remedies she prescribes. Though these can often be purchased at your local health food store, we carry many of them on site. Please make an appointment for Dr. Sagrera to discuss what types of herbal medicines might benefit your pet’s overall health.
Skeletal Manipulation
Dr. Sagrera has extensive training in animal chiropractic medicine and finds that skeletal manipulation often helps pets with ailments like hip dysplasia and arthritis. She is committed to alternative medicine exclusively as a way to improve the health of her patients by the most natural and non-invasive means possible.
Laser Therapy
At Natural Pet Care, we use both cold and hot lasers to treat pain, wounds, and arthritis. A dental laser is also used to assist in pulling teeth and as a drug-free anti-inflammatory treatment during tooth extraction and for gum inflammation. These lasers are state-of-the-art and allow us to treat your pet effectively and in a minimally-invasive manner. Please make an appointment to find out if laser therapy could help your pet’s condition.
In-House Blood Screening & Radiographs
Though some bloodwork must be sent to specialized labs for analysis, we have the ability to perform basic blood tests (heartworm checks, CBCs, Chemistry Profiles, etc.) in-house, giving you immediate results. We also have a state-of-the-art digital x-ray machine and ultrasound. All of these tests can be performed at the time of your appointment, when scheduled. This gives Dr. Sagrera the information she needs to treat your pet in an effective manner right away.
Contact
Please contact Natural Pet Care to schedule an appointment or for information on pricing. Patients are seen by appointment only.
Phone: 504-834-2023
Hours:
Sunday/Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9 AM – 1 PM
We are closed the second and last Saturday of every month.