When I was recently in California riding a Segway named “Bend & Snap”, a takeoff from the Legally Blonde movie. I have to say a five hour+ plane ride in each direction resulted in some significant joint pain. As a traditional, Western Medicine Practitioner, I wanted to explore other, alternative ways to treat pet conditions.
Responding to the great interest by our clients, Creature Comforts is introducing an Acupuncture/Holistic Practice service as of Thursday, July 9th. The following blog is written by our newest veterinary team member, Dr. Allison Schnoke.
WHO IS ALLSON SCHNOKE DVM?
My name is Allison Schnoke, and I am the newest addition to the veterinary family at Creature Comforts. I graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida in 2011 with a focus in small animals (dogs and cats). After receiving my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, I completed a yearlong rotating internship at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists in Maitland, FL.
WHERE DID YOU TRAIN IN THE METHODS OF ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES?I studied Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) at the Chi Institute and became certified in Veterinary Acupuncture in 2013. It is this portion of my medical training that makes me unique, and the part that I would like to familiarize you with a little more. Since this ancient field of medicine (acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years) is becoming more popular, yet is still widely unknown, I have decided to give you a brief introduction to this fascinating topic.
What can veterinary Acupuncture do for my dog or cat?1. The goal of veterinary acupuncture is to use tiny metal needles (about the width of a hair) placed in strategic and specific points on an animal to help stimulate the body to heal itself. Veterinary acupuncture stimulates the release of your animal’s own pain relieving and anti-inflammatory substances. Veterinary acupuncture improves tissue blood flow and oxygenation, decreases inflammation, and helps regulate the immune system. Unlike prescription and over the counter medications, veterinary acupuncture very rarely has negative side effects.
Why use Veterinary Acupuncture?
The good news about veterinary acupuncture is that it works very well with conventional (western) medicine and surgery. In fact, the two disciplines can be utilized together and can work synergistically, since each discipline has it’s own pros and cons. Additionally, by using a more holistic ideology, this integration of old and new can help a veterinarian achieve a more thorough evaluation of a pet’s entire body, environment, diet, medical history, and temperament, to appropriately implement a combination of treatment and strategies for prevention.
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) can benefit all life stages (juvenile, adult, and senior) and a large variety of conditions. The term TCVM encompasses more than just acupuncture. It also includes herbal medicine and food energetics (changing the diet to help treat and prevent disease).
What types of diseases can potentially be treated with Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM)?
Disclaimer: TCVM should be used only when conventional medicine and/or surgery are not effective or possible. TCVM therapy will not work for every animal and certain conditions have a higher response rate than others.
2. Neurological disorders (Intervertebral disc disease/slipped disc/bulging disc, paralysis and paresis, weakness, ataxia (wobbliness), vertigo, seizures)
3. Gastrointestinal disorders (vomiting, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, inappetence, constipation, megacolon)
4. Dermatological disorders (itching, scratching, hair loss, hot spots, lick
granulomas, ear infections)
5. Behavioral disorders (aggression, stress, anxiety, fear, inappropriate elimination)
6. Cancer and any side effects of chemotherapy
7. Internal medicine disorders (liver disease, renal failure, asthma, coughing, laryngeal paralysis, immune mediated disease or dysfunction, urinary and/or fecal incontinence)
If I choose Veterinary Acupuncture for my pet what is the time commitment and how will I know if it is working?
The first consult and treatment together takes about 1.5 hours. Each subsequent treatment takes about 45 minutes. Your pet can be “dropped off” for this treatment at no additional charge. It depends on the reason for therapy, but a schedule of subsequent rechecks and treatments will be discussed with you at the first appointment. The response to treatment will manifest and be monitored in different ways depending on your pet. It takes three consecutive treatments (anywhere from one week to three weeks apart) in order to determine if your pet is having a positive response to the therapy. Some pets with acute disease (disease that happens quickly and is treated quickly) may only require a few (three to six) treatments to resolve the issue. Other pets with more chronic (long standing) or complicated disease may require long term or even life long therapy.
Creature Comforts Welcomes Dr. Schnoke and invites our veterinary clients to call for information regarding scheduling appointments combining traditional with alternative medicine protocols.Betsy T. Sigmon DVM, Diplomate ABVP Canine & Feline PracticeHospital DirectorCreature Comforts Animal HospitalCary, NC
Hey, this is very informative post on acupuncture therapy. Thanks for sharing it here. After reading about this experience I am also thinking to visit some good acupuncture Mississauga clinic for my shoulder injury. If you have any clinic recommendations then please share!
ReplyDeleteFrom Dr. Betsy: Michelle Zane in Cary great acupuncture lady in Cary.
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