Natural therapies for pets

The benefits of complementary and alternative therapies have been seen in humans for many years. In more recent times, these therapies have expanded into treatment of our companion animals. Some of the alternative therapies are controversial, but a good number of complementary therapies are said to be of great benefit to our pets. Here are some of the more popular treatments.

Chiropractic care

WHAT DOES IT DO? Veterinary chiropractic practitioners focus on an animal’s spine and its spinal nerves. Generally, individual segments of the spine are manipulated with the goal of returning spinal muscle function to normal. This is either done manually or using a mechanical device. Along with manipulation therapy, practitioners commonly use massage, acupuncture, massage and herbs.
BEST FOR: Most commonly used to treat lameness in horses and dogs. A consultation with diagnosis should be done before treatment.

Physiotherapy

WHAT DOES IT DO? Animal physiotherapy is recognised for not only the cure and treatment of a multitude of pet conditions, but also prevention. It helps restore movement, strength, function and muscle and helps to reduce pain and swelling and accelerate the healing process. Many different techniques are used in animal physio including massage, stretching, strengthening, balance as well as splinting, wraps and braces, electrotherapy, ultrasound and laser therapy.
BEST FOR: Conditions which benefit from physiotherapy include orthopaedic conditions such as cruciate ligament rupture, hip and elbow dysplasia, arthritis, decreased mobility and back pain. Physiotherapy will also help with neurological conditions including disc disease and wobbler syndrome. All animals attending a professional physiotherapy session require a referral from a veterinary surgeon.

Homeopathy

WHAT DOES IT DO? Homeopathy is based on the principle that ‘like cures like’ and is said to treat disease conditions by stimulating the natural healing process within the animal. Homeopathic medicines are prepared using a technique called potentisation. The substances are put through a series of dilutions and shaken to energise the remedies. It is the energy that stimulates the healing process.
BEST FOR: Homeopathy is used to treat both acute and chronic problems. Some typical conditions treated include arthritis, lameness, epilepsy, diarrhoea and kidney disease.

Reiki

WHAT DOES IT DO? Reiki works on the principle that energy is a universal life force that surrounds and connects everything. Reiki is the channelling of this energy through the practitioner to the receiver and is said to restore physical and emotional wellbeing. Reiki is healing, not medicine, and should never be used in place of veterinary care.
BEST FOR: Reiki has been used on dogs and cats as well as pet birds and even fish!

Herbal medicine

WHAT DOES IT DO? Herbs have been used for the treatment of humans and animals for thousands of years. Herbal medicine is a component of many conventional drugs, but in herbal medicine, plants are minimally processed to allow the natural combinations of active constituents within the plant to work together with minimal side effects.
BEST FOR: There are herbs suitable for just about every disease or condition, including allergies, hot spots, liver disease, kidney problems, motion sickness, diabetes, arthritis and wound treatment. Some herbs are very toxic to certain species and can also interact with different conventional medications. For this reason, it is essential that herbal medicines be prescribed and supervised by your veterinary practitioner.

Hydrotherapy

WHAT DOES IT DO? Hydrotherapy for dogs ranges from swimming in special pools as an exercise alternative, to supervised swimming to help with recovery after illness and injury. Underwater treadmills are a good way to retrain dogs to walk or stand while their joints are supported by the water. Some hydrotherapy centres also have a jacuzzi spa to provide muscle relaxation through warmth and massage.
BEST FOR: Paralysed dogs following spinal surgery, recovery from other orthopaedic surgeries and injuries such as cruciate ligament rupture. It improves mobility and function in older patients with arthritis and helps improve fitness via a hard workout for athletic dogs.

Acupuncture
WHAT DOES IT DO? Acupuncture is the use of very fine needles that pierce the skin at targeted points to treat or prevent disease. This practice has been shown to encourage neurochemicals such as endorphins and pain-relieving
anti-inflammatory hormones to be released.
BEST FOR: Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of veterinary medicine and has been used in China on cattle, horses and pigs for more than 3000 years. It is now used on cats and dogs for conditions such as back pain and arthritis.
A veterinary diagnosis needs to be obtained before acupuncture is carried out.

Top tip
Before undertaking any of these therapies on your pet, consult with a veterinary professional.

TO FIND OUT MORE:
Australian Veterinary Chiropractic Association, avca.com.au
The Australian Holistic Veterinarians website ahv.com.au
Animal Physiotherapy services k9physio.com
Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association
at vbma.org
Australian Veterinary Acupuncture Group at acuvet.com.au