Written by Amber Van Denzen Suarez, CPPS Owner Atta Boy! Animal Care Pet Sitting + Dog Walking
People often turn to alternative therapies when their pet doesn’t respond to western medical care and treatments, but many choose these as their first line of options for preventive or current needs. According to the AHVMA ( link: https://www.ahvma.org/what-is-holistic-veterinary-medicine/) your “ Veterinarian will determine the best combination of both conventional and alternative (or complementary) therapies for a given individual.”
Here are 5 alternative care options for your pets in the Lakeland, Florida area.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy consists of either swimming or walking in water, in a controlled pool environment with an instructor and/or and underwater treadmill. A structured program will be created with the goal of easing for pets that have injuries, arthritis, weight loss, or many other reasons while the water buoyancy holds most of the weight of the pet. Time depends on needs.
Cost: $35-50/per session
Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy is a noninvasive procedure that uses light to stimulate cell regeneration. This is used and increase blood circulation, “jump start” cells in wound healing, decreasing pain and takes less then 10 minutes per session. No pain, and no side effects!
Cost: $30-60/ per session
Acupuncture or Acupressure
This involves the insertion of thin needles into the body where nerves and blood vessels come together at acupuncture points. The goal is to encourage the body to heal itself by correcting energy imbalances in the body. Like acupuncture, acupressure is based on traditional Chinese medicine, it’s a noninvasive and gentle method pressure points method
Cost: $90-200 per session
Pet Massage
Pet Massage in its simplest definition is rubbing, kneading and manipulating of muscles and joints of the body. Massage can provide pain relief, assist in the rehab and regeneration of muscle tissue and aid in reducing stress in the body. It is commonly used for pets that are working or sports dogs, pets with anxiety or nervous disorders, and post surgical or arthritic issues care.
Cost:$30-50/ per 30 minutes
Dietary + Herbal Therapy
Veterinary and non prescription herbal medicines can include components from traditional Chinese herbs, Western herbs, Ayurvedic herbs from India, and many others. Most modern medicines we use evolved from herbal medicine, but today’s drugs typically isolate individual compounds or they have created a synthetic version. Herbalists practitioners believe that certain whole plants also provide a broad spectrum of desirable effects, from specialized nutrition- to focus on certain vitamins and minerals, or in harmony with other ingredients which may allow lower doses or a in a collaboration with modern pharmacologic ingredients to be used for ailments in pets. This can also include over the counter options for Pet CBD treats and oils. Always make sure whomever you are purchasing from has certifications, training /or are follows current guidelines where their items are sourced from.