Friday, October 9, 2015

Alternative Medicine and Your Pet


In addition to conventional medical treatments, there are many different alternative therapies available.  Some examples of these include chiropractic therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, herbal medicine  and homeopathy just to name a few. 
Chiropractic therapy has been used in performance animals such as horses for a long time. It has been used successfully and become more popular for small animals such as dogs or cats for spinal misalignment or joint pain.  This can be effective for both acute and chronic pain. 

Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with chiropractic medicine or on its own.  Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years but only in the last few decades has it been used in the western hemisphere.  It has become much more widespread both in humans.   Acupuncture acts by balancing the body and helping it return to a state of homeostasis using very fine needles along various energy lines of the body.  In veterinary medicine acupuncture is mostly used for treating musculoskeletal disease or pain in dogs, cats or horses. 


The ultimate goal at Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic is to find the optimal course of treatment for you and your pet.  Whether you choose conventional medicine, alternative therapies or a blend of the two, it is very important to consult your veterinarian BEFORE administering any type of therapy or medicine to your pet.   It is equally important to advise your veterinarian of any herbs, medications or therapies that your pet is currently on as there are times when they could interfere with and work against the treatment your veterinarian has recommended. 
When it comes to dosing and safety of any medication (including herbs or homeopathic remedies), your pet is not the same as a child.  Even if a compound is considered safe for a child it doesn’t necessarily mean it is safe for your pet.
It is important to work with your veterinarian for the best possible course of treatment that is specifically designed for your pet.   If you are considering alternative therapies for your pets you should discuss it with your veterinarian.
Brigitte Rudolf, DVM
Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic