Like traditional medicine for humans, veterinary medicine is always changing. With the popularity of alternative therapies on the rise for treating people, holistic veterinarians have found that a number of alternative therapies work well for their patients too. From acupuncture to dietary changes and chiropractic treatment, pets benefit from a holistic approach to their care. While traditional procedures and testing are still used, additional therapies that treat the whole patient are effective at improving the overall health of the pet.
Dietary Changes to Improve Overall Health
Not all pet food is created equal. Some foods are made using less-than-desirable ingredients and can cause sensitivities in some pets. If your dog or cat is suffering from digestive problems, dry skin or brittle nails, they may simply need a change to their current pet food. Talk with your vet about healthier food options for your pet, and ask for pet food brands that they recommend. Your vet may even suggest a very bland diet of home cooked foods for several days to give your pet's digestive system a break while they recover from an illness.
Acupuncture for Pain Relief and a Decrease in Anxiety
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic or acute pain relief in both people and animals. Even stimulating certain pressure points on the body without leaving the acupuncture needles in can create pain relief in a cat or dog. For pets that show significant anxiety, acupuncture treatments may help ease their symptoms. When you don't want to consider medications for pain relief for your pet, acupuncture might be a good treatment to try to see if it has any benefits.
Chiropractic Treatments Help Heal the Whole Body
Just like with people, a good chiropractic adjustment can help the body of a pet heal more readily. When the spine is out of alignment, it can be difficult to move around easily. Your pet may experience pain that can be relieved by a simple chiropractic adjustment that will realign their spine. While this type of treatment should only be done by a professional, it is a solid approach to use on pets when one is a holistic practitioner of veterinary medicine.
When visiting with a veterinarian, it is important to understand the approach that your vet is using for the treatment of your pet. If you seek an alternative approach, it's important to find a vet that practices holistic medicine.
