Your pet’s health is much more than their physical well-being. Complete wellness depends on their mental health, too. With holistic vet care, your pet’s total health is taken into consideration when developing a treatment plan. At Lincolnway Veterinary Clinic, we are proud to offer acupuncture for dogs and cats in Mishawaka, IN as well as other therapies derived from traditional Chinese medicine. Our practice provides alternative medicinal options designed to improve your pet’s well-being and help them live longer healthier lives. Call us a (574) 256-1871 to get started today.
Help your pet reach a healthier state of being.
Acupuncture for Dogs & Cats
Acupuncture for dogs and cats is a practice of traditional Chinese medicine that developed nearly 8,000 years ago. It follows the philosophy that illness is caused by imbalances in the body's vital energies. The goal of acupuncture treatment is to restore balance to these energies using very fine needles inserted into certain points along “meridians” or channels of energy in the body. Medically, many of the meridians and acupuncture points correspond to muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. The needles enhance blood circulation, stimulate the nervous system, and increase the release of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving substances to reduce discomfort. Acupuncture has no systemic side effects, and so is particularly helpful to dogs and cats in poor health.
We use acupuncture for the following conditions:
- Arthritis
- Joint injuries
- Anxiety
- Back/neck pain
- Lick granulomas
- Post-operative recovery
- Orthopedic conditions including hip dysplasia
- Neuromuscular problems
- Metabolic diseases such as kidney disease and diabetes
- Palliative care
- And more
What to Expect at an Acupuncture Session
Our certified veterinary acupuncturist, Dr. Anderson, develops a personalized acupuncture treatment plan based on your pet’s condition and their response to treatment. Your pet's first acupuncture appointment will be approximately one hour long and involves a traditional physical exam as well as Chinese medicine exam which includes a more thorough look at your pet's medical history. The second session will be your pet's first needling session, and takes between 30-60 minutes. Follow-up visits are typically 30 minutes. We recommend 6 sessions total to determine your pet's response to treatment so we can develop a more personalized plan from there.
Herbal Therapy
Herbal therapy for dogs and cats involves the use of herbs for medicinal purposes. At Lincolnway we utilize herbals that are centuries old formulations used in China and Japan. These formulas have existed for far longer than any of our current medications have been around. Herbal therapy often uses the entire plant, rather than a single part of the plant like many western medications do. Each herb or combination of herbs nourishes the body in a different way and may support organ function, digestive health, the immune system, muscle health, pain relief, and so much more. Dr. Anderson will develop a unique herbal therapy plan based on your pet's condition.
Veterinary Herbal Medicine
A hallmark of holistic medicine is utilizing the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Herbs and other natural substances can be incorporated into your pet’s treatment to stimulate their immune system and improve their condition.
With traditional medicine, multiple medications are often used with each one potentially causing different side effects. With herbal medicine, just one medication is given with no side effects, and it is tailored specifically to your pet’s condition. It can be used with other alternative treatments in conjunction with traditional medicine to help your pet maintain their quality of life, and improve their healing process.
Our herbal remedies and other holistic modalities can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including allergies, arthritis, hip and back pain, digestive issues, and respiratory infections.
We will develop a unique treatment plan for your pet that may include natural substances in one or more forms such as:
- Tablets
- Dry powders
- Oral solutions
- Dissolved in water
- Injections
- Topical
Food Therapy
Food therapy is the art and science of using selected food ingredients to feed each individual based on age, species, breed, personality, and current disease process. We often use food therapy along with herbal therapy and acupuncture to help treat specific health conditions or for the prevention of disease.
If you think your pet would benefit from our holistic vet care, please contact us at (574) 256-1871 to talk about their options!