Holistic healing for pets

Author: wink news
Published:

Holistic healing is hot these days, especially for four-legged friends. Pet owners are turning to alternative medicine to treat their animals.

Resistance workouts on an underwater treadmill and acupuncture treatments gave Peter Wood’s dog, who suffered from hip problems, a new “leash on life.”

“Every day you could see her getting stronger. And she’d run a little bit farther and she’d play a little bit harder until to the point where she was a puppy again.”

Wood says he tried conventional medications for his dog Sundance. So he sought alternative therapies for his pooch.

“Within a matter of a week I saw the difference.”

What exactly is alternative and holistic veterinary medicine?

“Holistic veterinary medicine for me is really looking at the whole animal and trying to find a treatment that will be effective and non invasive.”

Like using cold laser light therapy to treat arthritis and soft tissue injuries, chiropractic techniques to treat pain,  or a therapeutic ultrasound to decrease inflammation. Herbs, supplements and vitamins can also help health problems instead of, or in conjunction with traditional medicine.

Many vets who offer alternative treatments still use conventional medicine  like X-rays and blood work, but once they reach a diagnosis they see if a holistic or alternative approach could help.

“In the right hands, with an educated practitioner, I think holistic medicine is an incredibly positive adjunct to veterinary medicine.”

Veterinarian Ruthanne Chun says if your pet has a health problem, you should review all the treatment options available.

“If a pet owner is considering holistic treatments, I think that’s a reasonable thing for them to be thinking about, they need to think about who they’re going to see, what veterinarian they’re going to see that can help them understand what would be the best options for their pet.”

Wood says after he tried many options, he’s sold that alternative therapy is the right one for Sundance.

“It works! That’s the thing, it works! I’ve seen it work.”

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.