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Dr.
Felicity Talbot
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[How holistic health care can increase
the health and quality of life of animals.]
Q Is holistic health care available for animals?
AHolistic medicine emphasizes the need to look at the whole animal,
including analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional,
social and lifestyle factors. It encompasses a wide variety of modalities
of diagnosis and treatment including drugs and surgery and other forms
of conventional medicine. Holistic medicine focuses on using the body’s
defensive resources to achieve balance and overall health. Holistic
or alternative medicine encompasses a wide range of methods. Specific
examples of holistic medicine include acupuncture, herbal therapy,
homeopathy, glandular therapy, laser therapy, and much more.
Holistic medicine is becoming increasingly popular in veterinary medicine.
Many people are encouraged to try it for their animals when they have
had positive responses themselves. The alternatives offered to people
and their pets open a new arena of medicine to help increase the health
and quality of life of animals.
Q What is acupuncture and how does it differ when used on animals?
AAcupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into specific points
located along certain energetic channels, or meridians, in the body.
It has been used for thousands of years to treat animals. According
to Traditional Chinese theory, stimulating an acupuncture point (acupoint)
allows the life force energy, or Qi, to flow through the body. Acupuncture
points are the areas along the meridians that are the most energetically
active. They can be found usually in the depressions located between
muscles, tendons or bones. These points were discovered over many
years of observation of cause and effect.
If energy is blocked, the result is pain and dysfunction. Stimulating
acupoints unblocks these stagnant areas and brings the body back to
balance. This restoration of balance increases the overall health
of the animal by allowing the body to heal itself. Stimulation of
these points also causes biochemical reactions in the body. The release
of endorphins helps control pain in the body. Veterinary acupuncture
points are very similar to human acupuncture points as they have been
transposed from the human points, with a few adjustments due to anatomical
differences. The selection of the points and the basic theory is very
similar to those used in humans.
Most pets benefit a great deal from acupuncture. Owners often notice
that their pets are more lively, play with toys they haven’t
touched in months and seem to have less pain. Owners are usually very
satisfied with the treatments because they have seen their animals
act healthier and happier.
Q Are the needles painful for animals, and how long do treatments
last?
AAcupuncture needles are such a small gauge (diameter) that they cause
little to no pain. The animal may feel a strange sensation, called
the “De Qi” response, which means that the Qi has arrived
and the point has been stimulated. An initial acupuncture session
may last up to an hour, with subsequent visits lasting only about
thirty minutes. The number of visits necessary depends on each individual
animal. Chronic conditions require more treatments. The goal is to
get the maximum effect with the fewest treatments possible.
Q What types of conditions can acupuncture help and can acupuncture
be used with conventional medicine?
AAcupuncture is used to treat a wide variety of conditions in humans
as well as animals. It has been used successfully for musculoskeletal
disease including arthritis, neurological disease, renal dysfunction,
respiratory problems, acute and chronic gastrointestinal disease,
behavioral issues, and cancer. Arthritis and chronic painful conditions
often respond extremely well to acupuncture. Hip dysplasia/arthritis
is one of the most commonly treated conditions and has a very high
success rate. Acupuncture is also quite effective when used in conjunction
with conventional medicine to treat neurological conditions such as
intervertebral disk disease, seizures and peripheral neuropathies.
Yes, acupuncture is extremely safe and does not interfere with conventional
medications. It is a great adjunctive therapy to help complement western
medicine. Many herbal therapies, however, can have strong reactions
with conventional medications so some caution is necessary.
Q Are there other therapies that can be used in caring for animals?
ALaser therapy involves the use of an infra-red beam that stimulates
tissue up to 5cm deep. Lasers can increase circulation, promote the
release of endorphins, stimulate the immune system and increase collagen
synthesis in wounds. It has been used for many years in horses to
help treat tendon injuries or flesh wounds. It is now being offered
in human medicine to treat a wide variety of diseases, including peripheral
neuropathies, diabetic wounds and peripheral vascular disease. Lasers
can also be used to stimulate acupuncture points if needles are not
an option. The lasers used for this type of therapy are called low
level lasers as they are strong enough to stimulate cellular functions,
but do have enough power to actually burn tissue. The main precaution
is to avoid looking directly into the laser.
Glandular products can be used to help treat certain hormone responsive
diseases, such as hormone-responsive urinary incontinence. They are
products made from animal cells, usually from the glands. Glandulars
also provide nutrients and enzymes that may help support and protect
the glands and organs as well.
Q What should I know about nutrition and my pet’s health?
AGood nutrition is a key part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for
your pet. Some commercial foods have unwanted additives and preservatives
and may include poor quality protein products. A good diet consists
of human-grade ingredients and essential vitamins and nutrients.
Q How do I determine which therapies will be best for my pet?
AMany times a combination of therapies works best to help maintain
optimal health. The right treatment protocol should be tailored on
an individual basis. A combination of western and eastern medicine
can yield great results and maximize the health of your pet.
Dr. Felicity Talbot is a Certified
Veterinary Acupuncturist with Florida Veterinary Specialists in
Tampa. She is a graduate of the University of Florida’s College
of Veterinary Medicine and the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. (813) 933-8944.
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MARCH/APRIL
2005
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FEATURE ARTICLES
Editorial
by Barbara Casey
Holistic
Health Q & A
by Dr. Felicity Talbot
How holistic health care can increase the health
and quality of life of animals.
The
Heart of Breast Cancer
by Inger Mercedes Padilla
The relationship between the health of the heart
chakra and a woman’s breasts.
The Right
Job
by Shannon Terry
Tips for choosing a job that matches your natural
mind/body type.
Uncommon
Sense!
by David Findlay
Click
here for more articles on the theme Relaxation
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