Can Pets be Treated Using Alternative Techniques like Acupuncture? Yes! By The Blog Dog on July 31 @ 10:23AM

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For thousands of years, the Chinese have been using acupuncture to treat a variety of ailments. There are studies such as this, which showcase the positive effects of acupuncture on animals. Since its introduction in veterinary medicine, more and more people have been opting for acupuncture.

What does acupuncture do for pets?

• Acupuncture can do the following for pets:
• It stimulates the pet’s body to release anti-inflammatory and pain relieving substances
• It relaxes the muscles in and around the area of insertion, relieving the pets of any pain
• It improves removal of toxins and waste, oxygenation, and blood flow in tissues
• It doesn’t have any adverse side effects on the internal organs of the pet unlike over the counter and prescription
• It doesn’t react with any supplements or medications pets might be taking

How does acupuncture work?

The aim of acupuncture is to stimulate the body to begin healing itself. According to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, releases pain relieving and anti-inflammatory hormones, and improves circulation of blood. In acupuncture, the practitioner will insert needles into the pet’s body tissue, where the blood vessels and nerve bundles meet. The collection of vascular and nervous tissues is known as acupuncture point. These acupuncture points are all over the surface of the body on energy channels or meridians.Different types of acupuncture are also available such as acupressure, aquapuncture, moxibustion, electrostimulation, and laser.

Is acupuncture painful for pets?

Insertion of needles is relatively painless for all pets. However, if the practitioner has to insert large needles, pets may feel pain when the needles pass through their skin. Once the practitioner places the needles, pets won’t feel any pain. The vast majority of pets will become very sleepy and relaxed.

Is acupuncture safe for pets?

It is one of the safest forms of treatment when a trained veterinarian administers acupuncture. Vets can combine alternative and conventional therapies if they have extensive knowledge, skill, training, and certification. Acupuncture veterinarians need to know how different types of treatment work and understand how the pet responds to therapy. As the benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, it is best when pets receive treatment consistently.

How many treatments will pets need?

The vast majority of pets will see improvement when they go for at least one to three sessions of acupuncture treatment every week. After their condition improves significantly, the practitioner will reduce the frequency of treatments.When you have to choose a veterinary acupuncturist, he/she should satisfy the following criteria:

• He/she is a licensed veterinarian
• He/she has formal training in veterinary acupuncture

If you have any queries regarding veterinary acupuncture, feel free to leave a comment below.

Did You Know That Most Of the Cat Diseases Can Be Treated With a Diet Change?

According to statistics, the most common diseases faced by pet cats across the country include renal failure, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, allergies, lymphoma, IBD and feline lower UTIs. Almost all of these conditions have nutritional remedies and with a little out-of-the-box thinking, they can be treated with a proper diet.

• Hyperthyroidism – Cats that suffer from hyperthyroidism make too much thyroxin. Excess iodine can make the thyroid produce more thyroxin, which is one of the main reasons pet food manufacturers have started making low iodine food to prevent hyperthyroidism.
• Diabetes mellitus – Cats suffer from diabetes mellitus and it can be easily controlled with a proper diet. Cats can go off insulin entirely if they follow diet plan than is low in carbohydrates and high in protein.
• Allergies – If your cat is allergic to a particular food item (dairy products and beef are the most common culprits), then try to avoid that ingredient. Even if your cat is allergic to something in the environment (mold spores, pollen or mites), dietary therapy can help. Nutritional supplements that are rich in essential fatty acids can ease allergic symptoms.
• Chronic bowel inflammation – Hypoallergenic diets that are made from novel protein sources like green pea and venison, or diets that have been broken down before are the best option when it comes to treating inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotic supplements with intestinal microorganisms are also a common treatment for IBD.
• Lymphoma – Cancerous cells end up altering the body’s metabolism. They end up metabolizing the glucose in the diet to make lactate that the body ends up converting back to glucose. This takes much needed energy away from your cat and hands it over to the cancer. Cancers are also responsible for converting the amino acids into energy. Amino acids play a crucial role in muscle building and the interference from cancer cells can lead to muscle wasting, slow healing and poor immune system function. On the other hand, cancerous cells are not very good at using fat as a source of energy. Many veterinarians recommend feeding the cat a diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in fat and protein. Essential fatty acids are also recommended because they are a good source of calories and fat, and are known to have anti-cancer effects.
• UTI – A lower urinary tract infection is quite common in female cats. However, it is worth bearing in mind that dilute urine does not irritate the wall of the bladder like concentrated urine can. Feeding canned food to your pet is a good way of increasing her water consumption. Many canned food products are aimed at promoting bladder health and maintain the optimal urinary pH, which can be helpful if your cat suffers from the problem of urinary crystals. You can also opt for nutritional supplements with cranberry extracts to prevent recurrent infections.