VETERINARY SPECIALTIES BECOMING MAINSTREAM

Posted on by Regina D.F. Burdett
Rehabilitation like other veterinary specialties becoming mainstream can help restore a dog’s mobility
Veterinary specialties becoming mainstream like the work this
rehabilitation practitioner is doing

You probably already know this but all of these veterinary specialties becoming mainstream for animals have been available to humans for a very long time. It has certainly taken quite a while for this to happen. Almost too long, I might add. 

Fortunately, now there is a noticeable trend to fill this need. The number of chiropractors, acupuncturists and rehabilitation practitioners—who provide these services to heal our pets—continues to grow. However, if they are not yet available in your community, rest assured, they soon will be.

Below is a description of what these medical specialties encompass. The purpose is to help pet parents get the kind of healing that their dogs and cats so desperately need.

ANIMAL CHIROPRACTOR

This technique provides health maintenance of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. What it involves is manual manipulation of the spine to treat facial, neck, leg, back and tail pain.

Animal chiropractic is used as an alternative treatment method in conjunction with traditional veterinary care. Its benefits include reducing stiffness and pain by increasing mobility.

Veterinary specialties becoming mainstream like acupuncture alleviate many health conditions in dogs and cats
Acupuncture is one of the veterinary specialties becoming mainstream at a rapid pace

ANIMAL ACUPUNCTURIST

I doubt that anyone reading this has not heard of acupuncture. It is a therapy that originated in China and has been used there for centuries. Nowadays, however, patients all over the world often choose this treatment as a substitute for synthetic drugs. In addition, it eliminates the sometimes harmful side effects of such medications.

This alternative consists of inserting thin needles into specific acupuncture points to stimulate the immune and nervous systems. Consequently, it helps decrease inflammation and restore balance between organ systems.

For example, common applications for canines and felines include…

  • ear infections
  • gastrointestinal issues
  • incontinence
  • respiratory disease
  • seizures, and even
  • post operative healing, and
  • behavioral issues

ANIMAL REHABILITATION PRACTITIONER

What rehabilitation practitioners do is use sets of tools and exercises that improve the mobility and quality of life of your pet. 

The therapeutic regimens they prepare work hand in hand with all other medical resources, and treatment options include…

  • underwater treadmill
  • land-based treadmill
  • hydrotherapy tub with whirlpool jets
  • deep-tissue ultrasound
  • low-level laser light therapy
  • hot/cold compress therapy

Sadly, many canines and felines have to cope with issues such as orthopedic and neurologic injuries, arthritis, chronic pain and obesity.  It’s encouraging to learn, however, that they typically find considerable relief from these rehabilitation techniques.

To Sum Up

The three veterinary specialties becoming mainstream that are mentioned here show how determined today’s pet parents are. They want to give their companion animals every chance possible to enjoy the kind of life they were meant to have.

Together, let’s keep our precious pets healthy, happy and safe!

You won’t want to miss this article on preventing cancer, and holistic treatment: https://petpeevesunmasked.com/pet-cancer-prevention-2018

OLDER PETS NEED PROTEIN

Posted on by Regina D.F. Burdett
Older pets need protein even more than when they were younger
Like this Mastiff, older pets need protein to help the aging process

Contrary to what was previously thought, older pets need protein even more than when they were younger. That’s right. Senior dogs and cats actually need more, not less, protein from a nutritious diet of meat and fish.

Their kidney, liver and immune functions need extra help during the aging process and they get that by eating quality protein that is easily digestible and has sufficient moisture content.

ANCESTRAL TIMES 

The focus today is on meat. Meat is protein. And carnivores, like domesticated dogs and cats, and their ancestors in the wild, eat meat. That said, let’s take a look at protein.

THE FACTS ABOUT PROTEIN 

A dog’s and cat’s body is made up almost entirely of protein which also plays a role in vital body functions such as digestion. In the digestive process, substances are either utilized or eliminated. 

Protein needs to be eaten daily because the body doesn’t store it for future use like it does fat. The body needs both sufficient protein as well as good quality protein to perform satisfactorily.

THE POWER OF LIVER 

This organ—not eaten nearly enough by humans, by the way—has enormous nutritional value. It is packed with protein and is rich in minerals such as iron, trace minerals, and amino acids, as well as vitamins A, D and all the Bs.

So now, hopefully, we can all agree on the benefits of feeding our canine and feline friends meat and why older pets need protein from this source. But, do we all agree on when older pets actually become senior pets? Let’s find out.

SENIORS – HOW VETERINARIANS AND GUARDIANS DISAGREE

It’s quite interesting to discover that veterinary professionals and pet parents have different ideas on the age that dogs and cats enter the “senior” category. A study shows that they do not agree. Veterinarians consider it starts earlier than pet parents do. Here’s the breakdown.

Dogs:

  • Most veterinarians and their staff say it is between 5 and 7 years old.
  • More than half of pet parents think it is between 7 and 9 years.

Cats:

  • Most veterinarian professionals say by age 9. 
  • Most pet parents think it is by age 11.

Are you surprised by the stats? I certainly was!

Together, let’s keep our precious pets healthy, happy and safe!  

SHARING A COMMENT 

After reading a teaser I had posted on LinkedIn about this topic, I received a brief comment from Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman, Professor Emeritus at Tufts University, near Boston, Massachusetts, which I would like to share with you. “Unless they have renal insufficiency…”

Another article related to this topic stresses the importance of meat: https://petpeevesunmasked.com/pet-food-meat-facts/

Click here for some tips on how to avoid overfeeding your pets, https://petpeevesunmasked.com/pet-food-quantity-control