Alternative Medicine Becoming an Important Tool in Pet Health Care
Recent studies indicate that nearly 40 percent of U.S. households regularly turn to “alternative” treatments for everything from headaches to diabetes. And, that interest and behavior is carrying over into the use of complementary and alternative medical treatments for our pets as well.
Visits to the acupuncturist and the chiropractor aren't just for humans anymore. Interest in alternative health options for pets has grown so much that a significant and growing number of veterinary practices recognize alternative medicine as a valid form of treatment for our four-legged companions.
So what are we talking about when we say alternative healthcare for pets? We typically include the following primary care areas when discussing alternative health care practices:
- Acupuncture – involves placing needles into select body channels, interrupting the flow of energy in order to relieve pain, increase blood flow, relieve muscle spasms, stimulate nerves and regulate the immune system. Though the prick of a needle may cause momentary discomfort, many animals become immediately relaxed, or even fall asleep, after the needles are in. Acupuncture, which has its origins in Asian cultures, can be particularly successful in treating arthritis, digestive problems, back pain and many other conditions.
- Holistic medicine – also focuses on stimulating the body's overall healing capabilities, but does so by looking at everything that is going into your pet's body, such as diet, vaccinations and oral and topical pesticides, like heartworm and flea medications.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – practitioners conduct a history and physical exam to determine where there is an imbalance in the body, indicating disease-causing blockages of chi, or energy. Based on their findings, they prescribe a course of herbs to restore the energy flow.
- Veterinary chiropractic – is relatively new for dogs that have vertebrae out of alignment or other spinal problems. Treatment often is by hand or with a hand-held tool. Some veterinary chiropractors believe spine misalignment is linked to other problems, including ear infections, organ dysfunction and constipation.
Alternative medicine options are most effective when you consult your veterinarian at the onset of your pet’s symptoms, whether they are related to a one time illness or to chronic mechanical issues such as hip or back problems. Often times recommended dietary or lifestyle changes, with the addition of herbs, acupuncture and chiropractic treatments, may help eliminate problems altogether.
However, alternative treatments do require some patience on the part of both the pet owner and the pet. Working to alleviate the problem using alternative methods may take longer than the more traditional veterinary care approaches and, alternative approaches may not always be the best course of action.
Conventional medicine is still likely to be the preferred choice if there are mechanical health issues, like malformed joints. Even in cases that require surgery, modalities such as acupuncture can help with the healing process.
Alternative therapies are often more successful than traditional treatments for chronic conditions such as arthritis pain or chronic gastrointestinal problems.
Seeking alternative care from a veterinarian also trained in conventional western medicine allows the pet to benefit from the best of both modalities.
As always, consult with your veterinarian to help you assess whether an alternative treatment might be right for your pet's specific condition and overall health.
