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Therapeutic & Specialist care

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Acupuncture

In the UK, acupuncture for an animal is an act of Veterinary Surgery and can only be legally performed by a veterinary surgeon.

Traditional Chinese Medicine describes all human body parts as being connected by channels known as meridians, and the acupuncture points are found on these. There are 12 major bilaterally distributed meridians and each meridian is linked to an organ. There are 8 extra meridians, which are not associated with organs, the most important of these is the Conception Vessel, which runs down the centre of the front of the body and the Governing Vessel, which runs down the centre of the back.

The specific effects of Acupuncture needling are mediated through stimulation of the peripheral nervous system (nerves in the skin/muscle) and neuromodulator within the central nervous system (messages sent to the brain and then the release of endorphins natural pain relievers).

The needles are well tolerated by all species.

Dog accupuncture illustration

Summary of Actions and Effects are:

  • Pain Relief acute/chronic/musculoskeletal
  • Visceral Pain and dysfunction i.e. Abdominal pain, Megacolon, incontinence, cystitis
  • Pruritus (itching)
  • Wound healing i.e. Acral Lick Granulomas
  • Anti-sickness
  • Stroke rehabilitation
  • Improved immune system

Typically each acupuncture session will last for 20 minutes and are generally very well tolerated by cats and dogs. We would recommend an initial course of 4-6 weekly treatments and then an on-going maintenance programme will be suggested depending on the individual’s needs.

K Laser Therapy

Our Class IV K laser delivers specific red and near-infrared wavelengths of laser light to induce a therapeutic effect within the body.

These include increased circulation, decreased swelling, reduction of pain and enhance tissue repair.

puppy

Numerous studies have shown that Laser therapy can help with:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Joint pain
  • Muscle sprains
  • Neck and back pain
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Chronic wounds
  • Rehabilitation
  • Post- surgical wounds
  • Dental extractions sites
  • Post traumatic injury

There is no needs for sedation or restraint and the experience is usually extremely well tolerated by the patients.

We offer packages of treatments to benefit from a reduction in cost. A sample treatment schedule would be 2 treatments a week for the first 3 weeks then a monthly top up as needed.

Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. More chronic conditions respond better when treatments are received 2-3 times per week, tapering to once every 2 weeks once an improvement is seen.