Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Provides Alternatives to Pet Owners

You probably have heard about acupuncture and acupressure for humans. Did you know that these alternative treatments are available for pets, too?ABC 8 recently carried a story of a 42 pound cat named "Skinny" who lost 15 pounds while under the care of a veterinary acupuncturist. This caught our eye since we've been spending time looking over the problems associated with pet obesity.Acupuncture is supposed to be be good for more than weight loss, however. For example, Pet MD indicates that it is also good for arthritis, degenerative joint disease, injuries, and metabolic disease.How does acupuncture work to relieve these conditions? Pet MD offers insights:

1. 1. Veterinary acupuncture stimulates the release of the body's own pain relieving and anti-inflammatory substances.
2. 2. Relaxation of muscles at the site of needle insertion and more distant locations of the body is achieved with veterinary acupuncture treatment, creating both a local and a generalized pain relieving effect.
3. 3. Veterinary acupuncture improves tissue blood flow, oxygenation, and removal of metabolic wastes and toxins.
4. 4. Unlike prescription and over-the-counter pain medicines, veterinary acupuncture lacks potential side effects for your pet's internal organs.
5. 5. Your pet's medications or supplements will not adversely interact with veterinary acupuncture treatment, therefore it can safely be used to treat a variety of illnesses.

Of course, deciding whether or not to pursue alternative health care for your pets is a highly personal decision. We won't endorse one course of action or another. As good Peeps to your pets we just want to be sure that you are aware of all of your options when it comes to protecting your pet's health!