There’s a few complementary dog medicine, what you can use to help your Chihuahua to stay healthy. Years ago, treatments such as veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic were unheard of among pet owners, but these complementary therapies are now being offered and used regularly throughout the veterinary world. Once labeled alternative medicine, holistic approaches are no longer considered exclusive choices from conventional care.
Veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic
Veterinary acupuncture may be used to treat problems like arthritis, epilepsy, and even cancer. In many cases it has been shown to relieve pain and strengthen the immune system. Though the process may seem intimidating to some owners, most dogs find the process completely painless.
Chiropractic focuses on the spine and joints, manipulating them through careful adjustments to alleviate pain and improve the general health of the animal. Like acupuncturists, veterinary chiropractors do not diagnose disease. They identify and correct vertebral subluxations – dislocations of the bones or joints surrounding the spinal column that may be hindering the animal’s health.
Homeopathic medicine
Homeopathy is another option for complementary dog medicine, what your veterinarian may suggest. A large part of homeopathic medicine is based on the use of substances that actually produce symptoms of the disease the veterinary caregiver is trying to cure. Diluted to infinitesimal doses in solutions, the tenet of this practice is that the smaller is the dose, the more powerful the effect is.
After a homeopathic treatment, your dog may experience a temporary intensification of symptoms, but the ultimate goal is creating a natural resistance to the disease. Although the concept is similar to vaccinations, homeopathic medicines are far removed from the pharmacologic doses employed in vaccines.
Dog massage therapy
Dog massage is used in various types of complementary medicine, but it is also a relaxing technique that, with some instruction, can be performed by a dog owner at home on a more basic level. Providing both a Chihuahua and his owner with special one-on-one time, massage can be an amazing stress reducer for your dog. Touch feels good and offers several health benefits, including increased circulation, relief of muscle tension, relaxation of muscle spasms.
You should never perform dog massage or any other kind of complementary medicine without proper instruction from a qualified provider. No procedure should ever be used as a substitute for licensed veterinary care. There are many good books and videos available about the use of dog massage in the home. Your dog’s reaction is the most important thing. Even if you are doing everything right, if your Chihuahua shows any signs of displeasure, stop the massage immediately.
Just because a certain treatment works well for one dog, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for every dog or every situation. Results may also take time. Beware of any provider who doesn’t take the time to evaluate your pet completely. All factors that may be contributing to your dog’s problem must be considered. Holistic medicine may offer additional options for treating your Chihuahua’s health problems.
Physical Therapy
Modern physical therapy is barely a century old, the canine application even younger, but like holistic medicine, many of the agents employed in this modality have actually been utilized since ancient times. In addition to more technological tools such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation, a canine physical therapist may use massage, therapeutic exercise, and hydrotherapy to help dogs suffering from such afflictions as cruciate ligament problems, hip dysplasia and spinal injuries.
Although all veterinarians are legally able to perform physical therapy, typically very few receive physical therapy training as a part of their education. An ideal caregiver is an individual who is both a veterinarian and a licensed physical therapist.
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