A Different Approach WHEN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE FAILED OUR AGING DOG
BY CATHRYN RAKICH
W
including her head. When stimulated, these points are believed to encourage
earing fishing waders and
the natural healing process by
straddling our 11-year-old
boosting the movement of energy
terrier mutt, Marley, the
through the body, improving blood
pet therapist lowered our dog into a
flow and nourishing organs and
large glass tank. Marley’s 20-pound
tissues. Marley had no reaction to the thin
body was cradled in a harness suspended by a bar above the water.
needles as they were inserted just
The goal was for our very ill canine
beneath her skin. The tiny spikes
to walk on a hydro-treadmill. The
dangled precariously from her fur,
buoyant properties of the water would
and one unexpected shake sent
minimize the weight on her bones
several flying. She tolerated being
and joints, helping Marley strengthen
restrained for only a few minutes,
her muscles and improve her range of
shorter than the 10 minutes the vet
motion.
was hoping for. With acupuncture, the number of needles used and duration of treatment vary according
Underwater treadmills are increasing in popularity as part of the ever-growing practice of therapeutic and alternative pet medicine Marley suffered from “old dog
Marley relaxing at home.
to the pet’s size, health and medical problem, as well as each individual practitioner.
She could barely eat. My husband,
help pet patients rehabilitate from,
Mark, and I took turns carrying her
among other ailments, orthopedic
outside to do her business.
surgery, arthritis and neurological
After several weeks of conventional medicine, Marley continued to
impairments. Based on reviews and
If only our animal friends could tell us how they feel.
struggle. That was when, as a
recommendations, we chose a
last-ditch effort to help our canine
clinic in Roseville that offered both
companion, I decided to look into
mainstream veterinary services
alternative pet medicine. Water
and a pet rehabilitation center. At
therapy? Acupuncture? Chinese
our initial meeting with a “certified
herbs? I can still see my husband
canine rehabilitation practitioner,” we
rolling his eyes.
agreed on an approach that included
was almost as high as our hopes for
multiple sessions of laser therapy
notable improvement. Alternative
Underwater treadmills are
The cost for Marley’s treatments
vestibular syndrome,” a dizzying
increasing in popularity as part of the
and massage, followed by dips in the
medicine does not come cheap,
disease that brings on a sudden
ever-growing practice of therapeutic
treadmill tank. In addition, we met
partly because it is not a quick fix.
disturbance of equilibrium. She
and alternative pet medicine, also
with a solo practitioner at our home
Results can take weeks, months or
had all the symptoms: loss of
referred to as complementary when
who prescribed acupuncture and
even years. Prices vary depending
balance, disorientation and jerky eye
used in conjunction with traditional
herbal supplements.
on the practitioner and type of
movements. Her head tilted so far to
Western medicine. Nonconventional
While I held Marley in my
treatment. For example, an informal
the left that she had no choice but to
methods include acupuncture,
lap, the veterinarian inserted 15
survey of several veterinarians who
walk in circles, tumbling over her own
herbal supplements, chiropractic
tiny stainless-steel needles along
offer alternative medicine in the
and massage. Water therapy can
“acupoints” on our dog’s body,
Sacramento area found acupuncture
body in an attempt to stay upright.
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