Dog Health - Alternative Care

Over the years different types of alternative care have been used on not only humans but now on animals as well. There’s a chance that your dog may benefit from receiving alternative care. However, this should not replace current veterinarian practices. Always consult with your veterinarian before starting an alternative care regime. The goal is to make your dog feel better and you don’t want to exacerbate the issue or possibly risk adding more medical issues.

When used properly alternative care does have some great healing methods. Many holistic and alternative practices can help ease emotional, physical, and health issues. Having a good balance between science and alternative care can help make for a healthier lifestyle.

Acupuncture

The practice of inserting very fine needles into the skin stimulates specific anatomic points for healing purposes. This technique is not only used on humans but can be done on your dog as well. The process helps to promote healing and good health as well as regulate life force. For many centuries the
West regarded this as the ideal complement to conventional methods. In the last few decades this has now become a popular and well known choice to alternative care.

Chiropractic

This type of practice is based on the philosophy that there’s a relationship between the spinal column, nervous system, circulatory system, movement and biomechanics. Manipulating the vertebrae relieves many nerve, joint, and muscle problems and helps alter the progression of disease.

Homeopathy

This is the practice of using highly diluted products to help stimulate health, healing, and wellbeing in a patient. Combining this with conventional medical treatments may be quite helpful for the patient.

Herbal

By far the simplest and most pure form of therapy is using what nature has provided. Many herbs and types of plants have a restorative effect on various ailments. If you wish to try any of these techniques it’s important that you talk with your dog’s vet first. Some allergic reactions and drug interactions have been documented and you should be made aware of any possible risks.

Disclaimer – In no way am I claiming to be an expert on these topics. These are only informational articles written to help dog owners. It’s recommended that you always do your own research and consult with your veterinarian for more detailed information. (01-24-13)