The Art of Managing Joint Pain

How to manage your dog’s Arthritic condition

One day while playing with Brandy, my Akita-Sheppard age 12, I noticed that it was harder for her to run around and chase the ball. At the time I thought nothing of it, but the next day when I went to get her ready for her nightly walk I realized that she had a mild case of arthritis. She didn’t jump right up to greet me as she normally would she had a hard time getting up from her bed, but once she was up she was ready to go. Brandy like many dogs at her age has or are starting to experience this painful journey through Osteoarthritis.

What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the largest cause of pain in dogs. A study sponsored by Pfizer estimates about 20% of adult dogs may be affected by arthritis. According to Veterinarians, Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease involving one or more joints in a dog’s body. It often shows up in middle-aged or older dogs. OA isn’t just an old dog’s disease, nor is it mandatory that all dogs will have OA. OA is generally triggered by the excessive wear in one or more joints, but dogs that have joint irregularities are also likely to develop arthritis in the affected joint as well.

Does my dog have OA?
Osteoarthritis is often noticed when the animal is very stiff and finds movement difficult following rest or sleep but will improve once they start to move around. Sometimes the problem comes to light when a dog is less able to jump into the car or go up stairs, even their favorite chair may become a struggle to reach. Dogs do not often cry out in pain when affected with arthritis but they may become irritable, nervous and less active generally because they are in chronic pain. If your dog shows any of these signs or just seems to be slowing down and getting old, it is time to see your local vet for a checkup to verify if your dog does indeed has this condition.

Is there a cure for OA?
Currently there is no cure for Osteoarthritis. Although there is no cure there are ways to help ease the pain making it more comfortable for your pet.

Dietary Supplements
One of the ways to help slow the progression of OA is through supplements. Supplements that contain ingredients such as Glucosamine sulfate, Chondroitin sulfate, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA), Fish Oil , and Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables (ASU) are great to treat the pain of OA. These ingredients have been proven to better able fight off the damaging effect of OA. However, not all supplement manufacturers use the same quality ingredients. So to ensure you get your money’s worth, stick to recommended products such as Cosequin by Nutramax Labs. JointMax and ReMATRIX by Pet Health Solutions is another good manufacturer. Finally Glyco-Flex III from Vetri-Science Labs has had great success in this field.

Pharmaceuticals
Another way to help your dog’s OA is through Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID). NSAID is nearly part of every veterinarian’s weapons to defend against pain when supplements are no longer an effective means. There are only a few NSAIDs approved by the FDA for the use in dog and only can be prescribed by your vet. These NSAIDs are Rimadyl, Metacam, Deramaxx, Previcox, and Zubrin. While NSAIDs are very effective they do carry side-effects, including damage to the gastrointestinal tract.

 
Looking beyond OA
Canine OA has long been a problem for most dogs since the beginning of time. The difference now is that vets are more knowledgeable about recognizing the sign. Everyday there is advancement in the research of OA and more options are available to us to help our dog live a longer better life with OA.

To find out which treatment may help call us 1-800-889-8967 or for more information on this subject or any additional pet health articles please visit www.entirelypets.com

Technorati Tags: doctor frank's pet pain relief, dog pain relief, pet pain spray, symptoms of arthritis in ten year old dog

When training your cat, an understanding of operant conditioning is helpful, so you are aware of what it is that you are actually doing.  Essentially, operant conditioning is the basis of all animal training and essentially, all behaviors of just about everything.  Operant Conditioning experimentaion was pioneered by Edward Thorndike, John Watson, and B. F. Skinner. 

Us humans are even subject to the laws of operant conditioning.  We got to work because we are paid.  The behavior of going to work is reninforced because we receive money, so we keep going.  We touch a hotplate and get burned.  We have received pain which is a negative recation so therefore we won’t repeat the behavior.

There are 4 basic fundamental laws of operant conditioning that effect the strengthening or weakening of a behaviour.

• Positive Reinforcement
• Negative Reinforcemnt
• Positive Punishment
• Negative Punishment

Positive & Negative

In the field of behavior psychology when it applies to training, the ‘Positve’ in the Positive Reinforcement and Positive Punishment refers to the appliaction or addition of something on our part. We are adding something.  For example

- giving a moresel of food (we are adding food)

- give a pat (we are adding our affection)

- we praise the cat (we are speaking, using our voice)

- we give the cat a little tap (we are adding our hand)

- we give a click with a clicker (we are adding a sound)

 Essentially, we are adding something to the cat’s enivonment.

With the ‘Negative’ in the Negative Reinforcement and Negative Punishment, we are taking something away from the cat’s environment.

- we remove the cat bowl (we area taking it away)

- we remove the cat litter (we are taking it away)

- we ignore the cat (we are taking away our attention

Reinforcement & Punishment

This is a little more easy to understand.  Essentially if we add or remove a stimulus that increases or strenghtens a behavior, that is reinforcment.  

- give the cat a treat for sitting (positive reinforcment)

- we  begin removing the litter box so the cat will go in the toilet (negative reinforcment)

If we add or remove a stilmus that reduces or weakens a behavior, that is punishment.

- we tap the cat on the bottom for scratching the furniture (positive punishment)

- we stop playing with our cat instantly as soon as it bites us (negative punishment)

Once you understand these concepts,  it is really quite simple to begin training your cat, or in turn, reduce and eliminate undesireable behaviors.

To learn more about training your cat or overcoming undersireable cat behaviors, head over to cattrainingguides.com

Technorati Tags: cat behavior problems, cat training, operant conditioning for cats

Top Pet Medications

Top Pet Medications November 28th, 2008 Powered By CbproAds Top Pet Medications The development of medications for pets has increased rapidly in recent years. Pets are becoming a part of the fa…   Read more…

Cat Care

Cat Care November 27th, 2008 Powered By CbproAds Cat Care Author Crystal Chan explains: Your cat’s health depends on regualr, well-balanced meals. Adult cats should be fed twixe a day and wil…   Read more…

Pet Medications, Which Support A Healthy Skin And Coat

Pet Medications, Which Support A Healthy Skin And Coat November 26th, 2008 Powered By CbproAds Pet Medications, Which Support A Healthy Skin And Coat With the wide range of supplements, prescri…   Read more…

Arthritis In Dogs ? What You Can Do To Help Your Dog

Arthritis In Dogs ? What You Can Do To Help Your Dog November 23rd, 2008 Powered By CbproAds Arthritis In Dogs ? What You Can Do To Help Your Dog Canine Arthritis is a common ailment as dog?s a…   Read more…

Pet Eye Health — What to Look For

Pet Eye Health — What to Look For November 22nd, 2008 Powered By CbproAds Pet Eye Health — What to Look For Keeping eyes healthy is important both for pets and humans. The area around the e…   Read more…

Hazards of tap water for pets

Hazards of tap water for pets November 22nd, 2008 Powered By CbproAds Hazards of tap water for pets One question that normally comes in the mind that is, “Is the tap water safe for drinking?�…   Read more…

Arthritis In Dogs ? What You Can Do To Help Your Dog

Arthritis In Dogs ? What You Can Do To Help Your Dog November 19th, 2008 Powered By CbproAds Arthritis In Dogs ? What You Can Do To Help Your Dog Canine Arthritis is a common ailment as dog?s a…   Read more…

Do Animals Need Pain Medicine After Surgery?

Why aren’t animals given any pain relief after operations? When I ask this I am referring to the time when pets are allowed home after having surgery. Humans are in pain for weeks after an oper…   Read more…

Technorati Tags: cat pain relief, dog pain relief, pain relief for cats, pain relief for dogs

Cat Flea Allergy - A 2 Steps Treatment Approach

If your cat is suffering from cat flea allergy, read on as this article provides you with a 2 easy steps treatment approach to alleviate your cat’s pain and discomfort.

See your cat scratching and biting on its fur frantically?

See inflamed, irritated and infected skin on your cat?

If yes, your cat may be suffering from cat flea allergy!

Cat flea allergy, or commonly known as flea allergy dermatitis in cats is one of the most common single cause for consultation of a vet. This is cause mainly by the bites from fleas when they feed on the blood of the cat.

For a normal cat, it would only feel minor irritation to the fleas bites. Even in the presence of dozens of fleas, these cats will not be greatly affected and they feel little itch. On the other hand, if a flea allergic cat comes in contact with even a single flea, they can have severe itch reaction to the flea bites. Very often, such allergic reaction may continue for days to weeks causing intense itch and discomfort to the cat.

To treat cat flea allergy, there is a 2 steps approach to it.

Prevention:

Cat develops flea allergic dermatitis because of the presence of fleas on them. As such, the only way to prevent the occurrence of this dreaded, tormenting skin disorder in your cat is to prevent the contact of your cat with fleas. No Fleas, No Bites!

Flea control for cats is therefore an absolute necessity. To get rid of cat fleas completely, your choice of a flea treatment product is very important.

The need to treat the surrounding environment, both indoor and outdoors, are often ignored leading to re-infestation after you succeed in eradicating the fleas on your cat.

Treatment:

Cats affected by flea bites allergy is usually in great discomfort. Their constant scratching and biting may lead to inflamed and infected skin.

Keeping the skin clean is therefore important to prevent secondary infection. Bathing your affected cat with a medicated shampoo may be necessary. Antibiotic and steroid cream may be prescribed to relief the itch and inflammation.

  Visit the section on "Flea Bite Treatment" where you can find out more about the reaction and symptoms of cat flea allergy and what you can do to alleviate the pain and discomfort of your flea allergic cat.

Your choice of a flea treatment medicine for your cat is very important. Your success depends on your choice of the right product. Learn how to select one from the many available in "Flea Medicine" and a step-by step plan in treating your house for flea in "House Flea Control"

By Ann Wong Published: 6/23/2008

 

Technorati Tags: cat pain relief, dog pain relief, pain relief for cats, pain relief for dogs

Arthritis in Dogs

There is no known cure for arthritis but it is possible to get considerable relief for your dog. Check out the possible dangers of some drugs which are available.

Arthritis in Dogs Arthritis is probably the most common serious condition affecting dogs (about one in four or five) and one of the most difficult to treat. Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for arthritis - in dogs or humans! Numerous tests and clinical trials have been carried out but with no cure at present. So, beware anyone who claims to have a "Cure".

However, there are various remedies available which can give some relief, to a greater or lesser extent .. as can be seen by the large number of products on offer.
There is a problem in that many of the remedies available carry some sort of disadvantage, particularly regarding some of the anti-inflammatory drugs currently in use.

These are some of the Dangers:

Look at any forum or message board on this subject and Rimadyl and Carprofen are mentioned frequently, in a negative context. Serious side effects are worryingly frequent and in some cases can be fatal. The website of The US Food and Drug Administration states…

"Today, a new generation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is bringing relief to millions of dogs with joint problems or with pain after surgery. "NSAIDs are extremely effective for controlling pain and inflammation in dogs," says Stephen F. Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). "These are very valuable drugs that help many pets live to a ripe old age." But like any drugs, NSAIDs carry a risk of side effects, or adverse reactions. Most adverse reactions are mild, but some may be serious, especially if the drugs are not used according to labeled directions.

Some reactions result in permanent damage or even death

"It’s important for pet owners to be aware of the risks and benefits of all drugs, including NSAIDs, so that they can make informed decisions about their pets’ health care," says Sundlof. "Owners who give their dog NSAIDs need to know the side effects to watch for that indicate their pet needs medical attention."The most common side effects from NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, and diarrhoea. Serious side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, perforations, kidney damage, and liver problems."

"The side effects of NSAIDs are very well known and very well documented," says Michele Sharkey, D.V.M., in the CVM’s Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation. But this information is not always getting to the pet owner, she says. "If the pet owner can recognize a possible reaction, stop the medication, and get veterinary help, it could mean the difference between a good outcome and a disaster." There is some evidence that not all vets are aware of the potential problems with these drugs and are not able to recognize the symptoms of adverse reactions and side effects.

Treatments such as oils and creams, applied externally, which are sometimes effective with humans are much more difficult to apply to dogs, especially if the coat is thick. Various other alternatives to anti-inflammatory drugs are on the market, including drinks and "natural" ingredients. Glucosamine is a very popular ingredient, sometimes included with chondroitin. I know many aged golfers who swear by it!

A company called Maxavita claims that its product, called Pernamax, which comes in the form of caplets or gel, is 200 times stronger than glucosamine. It includes the powdered extract of the New Zealand Green Lipped mussel. None of these remedies are cheap and all involve a continuing cost, which over a year can be very substantial, especially if there is a need for the vet’s involvement.

Magnotherapy can be a simple and effective alternative. It has had continuing success with humans and animals and in the UK alone, over 2 million people have had relief, ranging from the mild to the "miraculous". In some quarters, this treatment is derided as being "all in the mind", possibly because people cannot believe that something as simple and easy as a special magnetic collar or sleeping pad can bring such relief to animals. However, there is considerable scientific proof that the beneficial effects of this Magnetic Therapy are not just due to a placebo effect. For more information, Click on Magnotherapy for Animals now.

Technorati Tags: arthritis in dogs, pain relief for dogs, treatment for dogs

Pets Get Arthritis Too

by Patricia Collier

Researchers estimate approximately 25-30 percent of family pets suffer from arthritis. And dipping temperatures outside can often make a pet’s arthritis pain feel more severe.

Common in humans as well, arthritis is an inflammatory process in the joint that affects the bones and causes friction at the joints, where the cartilage meets the bone.

Suspect arthritis if your dog or cat, no matter what age, exhibits the following symptoms:

Standing up slowly or limping after getting up.
Limping, especially on a leg that’s been previously injured or operated on.

Generally moving around more slowly; exhibiting less interest in being active, especially in climbing stairs or onto furniture.

A wide range of treatments is available for arthritis, from non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) to natural supplements.

One popular prescription medication is Rimadyl. The active ingredient in Rimadyl is Carprofen, a member of the class of NSAIDs known as "arylpropionic acids", which also include ibuprofen.

While reported helpful for pain and inflammation, frequent and prolonged use of NSAIDs has sometimes been blamed on stomach upset in both humans and animals.

Natural remedies or dietary supplements, such as glucosamine, can work to rehabilitate damaged cartilage, reduce inflammation, ease the pain and even improve an animal’s mobility.

When purchasing natural remedies, purity is important. Consumers need to do some research into the manner of delivery of the remedy, i.e., tablets, liquid, etc., and proper dosage is important because too much of natural supplements can sometimes be as ineffective as too little, or may even be dangerous.

If traditional pharmaceuticals or even natural remedies don’t bring your pet relief, there are a number of holistic treatments available, including:

Acupuncture: From traditional Chinese medicine, this method has been popular among humans since 1997 and more recently has been used to treat dogs and cats.

Acupressure: Similar to acupuncture but without the needles.

Massage Therapy: A method of manual manipulation which can help relax tender areas.
Hydrotherapy: The use of cold, warm, or even hot water to relax joints and reduce inflammation. The animal is usually placed in a small pool of water where an attendant can exercise the affected joints more easily.

Magnets: A 1996 study in Tokyo found magnets worked just as well as acupuncture for relief of symptoms of arthritis. This method involves using magnetized bands on different parts of the body. The bands are supposed to work with the electrical activity already present in the animal’s body to produce a change in body temperature, which is said to provide relief from inflammation and pain.

2003 Animal News Center, Inc.

By Animal News Published: 12/27/2003

  

Technorati Tags: cat pain relief, dog pain relief, feline pain relief, pain relief for cats, pain relief for dogs

Facts About Dogs

We all know about the loyalty of dogs and their affection, which they shower upon us. Let us check out some of the fun facts about dogs, which we may not really be aware of.

The love and the affection that a dog can shower upon us is something that I don’t really need to talk about! Dogs make the most loyal and affectionate pets one could ever have and it’s no wonder that a dog is called a man’s best friend! For me, any kind of a dog proves to make a good pet, whether it’s tiny or huge in size or even a stray struggling to survive by the roadside. Their melting, droopy eyes can melt the hearts of all dog lovers in an instant! The relationship between humans and dogs is well known. If you love dogs and not a single day goes without a warm lick given by them in appreciation for the love that you shower on them, then you need to check out some interesting facts about dogs given below. This can brief you with many things you may not be aware about these lovable animals! Read on to know about interesting and funny facts about dogs.

Facts about Dogs:
The first fact about dogs that crops up in my mind is that these are one of the first animals to be domesticated by man. They were domesticated about 12,000 years ago.

The lifespan of a dog, on an average is between 8 to 15 years.

Have you always seen a dog curling up to sleep with its tail covering its nose? Well, this happens simply because of the cold weather. It wouldn’t hurt you to give it a thick cloth to sleep on.

The sweat glands of a dog are located between their paw pads.

Most dogs today would heave a sigh of relief for not being born earlier as in the ancient Roman times, mastiffs had to don a lightweight armor and follow the mounted knights!

The first ever dog show was held in Britain in the year 1859.

The smallest dog is the Chihuahua.

Did you know that the body of a dog contains 321 bones?

Yet another interesting fact about dogs is that they are direct descendants of the wolves. Perhaps this is the reason why one particular dog in my neighbor does resemble a wolf!

Have you checked out the color of the eyes whenever you spot a dog in the dark? Most dogs reflect a shade of green in their eyes but also show a shade of orange or red at times.

Dogs definitely have better vision at nighttime as compared to humans. This is because of a special layer that reflects the light, which is right behind their retinas.

When you speak about maturity, a dog that is merely one year old can have the physical maturity of a 15-year-old human being.

I have heard about the third eye, but have you ever heard about the third eyelid? Facts about dogs can get really as interesting as ever with the third eyelid that is located inside the first two eyelids. There is a function associated with it of course, the third eyelid or the haw, helps to protect the eye from the dust and the dirt.

Barking dogs seldom bite but what about the dog that never barks? The Basenji is one such dog that doesn’t bark.

How often have you used the phrase, ‘raining cats and dogs’? It is believed that this phrase has originated during the 17th century. This was because many cats and dogs were known to have drowned during a heavy downpour.

I have always felt sorry for dogs whenever people use firecrackers as a way of celebration. This is one fact about dogs, which you should be completely aware of because dogs can register the sounds differently from humans, which is around 35,000 vibrations within a second. Humans, on the other hand can hear 20,000 vibrations.

The St. Bernard is considered to the heaviest of all dogs.

Of all the breeds of dogs, the oldest known breed is the Saluki.

Have you loved the spots that are so distinctive of the Dalmatians? Dalmatian puppies are born without any spots on their body!

An adult dog always has 42 teeth.

When it comes to humans, fingerprints play a major role in identification. Did you know that a dog’s nose prints are as unique as a human’s fingerprint? These can also act as a substantial proof for identification.

You must have noted that puppies are born without teeth. It is only when they are around 3-4 weeks old, it can eat food due to the presence of 28 teeth in total!

Laika was the first dog to become the first space astronaut. Unfortunately, this dog did not survive the stress caused by the trip and died a few hours after launch.

A dog can take around ten to thirty breaths in a minute.

Pugs have been given their name due to their resemblance to a pug monkey.

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell but that is nothing new! They can even distinguish different ingredients.

Obesity is not the only problem faced by humans, today, dogs also face this health problem.

On an average, at least 70% people all over the world always sign their dog’s name on a greeting card along with the rest of the family names.

I sure do hope you have enjoyed reading about these fun and interesting facts about dogs. I could never have enough of these loyal and loving animals! Let’s hope humans also shower loads of love and care on them, always.

 

By Kashmira Lad Published: 3/19/2008

 

Technorati Tags: cat pain relief, dog pain relief, pain relief for cats, pain relief for dogs

How Much Sleep Is Healthy For Your Pet

Some owners have dogs that never seem to lie down and take a nap, while other owners have dogs that never wake up. There are guidelines for how much sleep humans should get, so are there guidelines for dogs? The amount of sleep your dog needs depends on, well, your dog.

Do you remember bringing home that small puppy for the first time? More than likely, he had not developed a set sleep pattern. Instead, he might have woken up in the middle of the night and tried to play with you. Dogs are descendent’s of wolves. Wolves have nocturnal tendencies, so it’s fair to assume that the tendencies are still naturally part of your puppy. Until your puppy assimilated to his environment, he may have carried such a tendency.

If you search the Internet, you will find numerous articles all claiming that dogs should sleep this many hours or that many hours per day. Basically, if you think your dog should sleep eight hours or eighteen hours, you can find a pet article to back your beliefs. So, with this multitude of information, how do you know how much sleep your pooch should really get? Some experts suggest letting your pooch decide.

If you really want to know how much your dog sleeps, then take the time to figure it out. One day when you have free time at home, such as a weekend or a day off, monitor your pet’s sleeping habits. Do not change any part of his routine; if he eats at a certain time or goes out to exercise at a certain time, then follow his schedule. By watching your pooch for a day, you can estimate how much sleep he is getting. You can only assume that he is receiving the amount of sleep he needs. If anything, now you know how much time he spends with his eyes closed.

Remember that there is a difference among sleep, laziness, and a health problem. Dogs nap throughout the day, so it’s not uncommon for him to be curled up in his bed when you get home from work. If you have a perfectly healthy dog that gets plenty of exercise, let him sleep as much as he wants! However, if your dog is inactive, then his large amounts of sleep could be considered laziness. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise. Thirty to forty minutes a day is preferred; although, it all depends on the rigor of the exercise. If your pooch is overweight, then it is important that you talk to your veterinarian and start a healthy diet and exercise program. If your dog has suddenly become inactive, then this could be a sign of a health problem. Normal, healthy dogs do not suddenly become lazy. Watch for other signs such as changes in amounts and frequency of eating and urination. If your dog is inactive more than one or two days, then take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible. On the flip side, a dog that never sleeps can also constitute a trip to the vet.

As dogs get older, they tend to sleep more often. Sometimes, the pain from arthritis causes them to stay in one spot for a longer period of time. Whether you have a puppy or an aging dog, you should provide a clean, comfortable resting spot (or multiple spots for an older dog) throughout your home. Have a comfortable dog bed in the area where your pooch spends most of the night. Soften it with extra padding. If your pet requires more relief than look into orthopedic dog beds. If there are other areas in your home where you or your family spends a lot of time, make sure there is a spot for your pooch there, too. Dogs enjoy company, so more than likely they will follow you or be in the same room as you. There is no reason he shouldn’t have a comfortable place to lie. Also you may want to consider a pet ramp to make moving around easier for your pooch without the aches and pains.

A napping dog is normal. How much your dog sleeps should not be the concern; instead, you should make sure that sleeping is part of his day and is not caused by other problems. Remember that your dog will slow down as he ages, so it’s important that you provide him with comfortable places to relax. As long as your pooch is healthy and exercises often, there is no reason to be worried about his sleeping habits.

Technorati Tags: cat pain relief, pain relief for dogs, pain relief treatments for dogs

Complementary Medicine for Pets

Many people accept acupuncture and chiropractic care as effective forms of complementary medicine. But can these techniques help animals, too? Yes, they can.

By Lana Christian

Molly, a normally playful 4-year-old Miniature Schnauzer, was in obvious pain. Somehow she had injured her back right leg. Her veterinarian thought the culprit was a pinched nerve or pulled muscle, so he prescribed muscle relaxants and steroids. No apparent improvement was seen after the full course of drug treatment, so the vet increased the steroid dose. Molly became lethargic and lost control of her bladder. In desperation, her owner asked if any other treatments were availablesuch as acupuncture and chiropractic care.

To her amazement, one veterinarian in her area offered those modalities. After a month of treatments, Molly appeared completely healed, restored to her playful self.

Is this a case of pet pampering? Not at all. Complementary medicine in all forms is practiced widely in veterinary clinics in Europe. Chiropractic care for race horses and thoroughbreds is common in the U.S. Veterinary acupuncture is on the rise in the U.S., particularly as an adjunct to anesthesiology and post-surgery care. And the trend is spreading.

Why the recent interest in complementary medicine for animals? Many people who seek these services for their pets have benefited from these treatments themselves. If pet owners find a treatment that works well for them, they will be more likely to seek out similar therapies for their petsespecially if standard treatments fail. That was true with Molly’s owner.

So how do acupuncture and chiropractic treatments work? The principle behind acupuncture is to restore balance to the body. Traditional thought is that the body possesses meridians of energy that branch into all organs. When an interruption occurs in a meridian, illness or a disabling condition can result. Today’s science theorizes that acupuncture causes neuromechanical stimulation or release of natural chemicals that can decrease pain and promote healing.

Very thin needles are inserted into selected places on an animal. Sometimes these needles have a very low-voltage electrical current applied to them. Or, the veterinarian can use small-bore hypodermic needles at acupuncture sites to inject minute amounts of vitamins and/or medicine. Molly received such injections at a few sites in her leg, back, and one place in her neck.

Chiropractic care is based on the premise that disease results from a lack of normal nerve function. Manual manipulation and adjustments of body structures, such as the spine, can help restore health. Molly’s spine was out of alignment because she "favored" her injured leg. Her injury had caused some muscles to tighten and draw up, which caused subsequent misalignment.

The attraction of both therapies is that they are surgical-free, often pain-free, and almost always drug-free. Molly couldn’t tell us if the treatments were painful at all, but her demeanor said "not." People who undergo acupuncture and chiropractic care generally agree that virtually no pain is involved, and relief is often immediate. Lasting relief comes with multiple treatments.

Half a dozen chiropractic treatments, coupled with several acupuncture treatments, were Molly’s ticket back to health. She experienced no adverse side effects as she did with standard drug treatment. (Her single "side effect" was that she memorized the route to both vet facilitiesand she made it clear that she’d much rather go to the park any day.)

Complementary medicine is not a panacea for animals (or humans). But it can be a valuable addition or alternative to standard treatment for certain conditions.

What do practitioners say about these treatments? Dr. Debbie Wilson was the moderator of the Veterinary Integrative Problem Solving (VIPS) IV course when she heard guest speaker Dr. Cindy Lankenau talk aboutand demonstrateveterinary acupuncture. Wilson was so impressed with what she saw, that she took the 160-hour certification course offered by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society.

Wilson pragmatically says, "I think of acupuncture as one modality amongst many. It doesn’t replace Western medicine and surgery, especially for major conditions … But it is strongly indicated for things like musculoskeletal and postoperative pain and many chronic diseases."

Colorado State University’s new wing of its veterinary teaching hospital includes the Shipley Natural Healing Center, dedicated to complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM). The center offers teaching, hands-on experience, and scientific research. Its research can catapult CAVM from the perception of "voodoo-that-may-work" to the realm of mainstream science.

Veterinary chiropractic care will soon be taught in the new Options for Animals International Academy of Animal Chiropractic in Wellsville, Kansas. Sharon Willoughby, DVM, DC, founded the concept and the program in 1988. Her work lives on in that new facility and in the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA), a certifying agency for animal chiropractic schools and their graduates.

Standards of practice for complementary and alternative veterinary medicine vary from state to state. Consult your practitioner for advice; ask questions; and weigh all the options for optimizing your pet’s health.

Technorati Tags: pain relief for cats, pain relief for dogs, pain relief treatments for dogs