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, DVMBowmanville Veterinary Clinic
