Holistic Alternatives to Pain Management in Dogs
For surgical pain or injuries that your pet my be dealing with, there are some holistic alternatives which are extremely effective in dogs. Acupuncture has been shown to both relieve pain and relax your pet, helping him or her cope with stress better. For dogs, the herb white willow bark can take the edge off minor pain, but these should NOT be used on cats. The homeopathic remedy arnica can be powerful for post-surgical pain, or pain from injuries. For severe pain a typical dose of arnica is the 1M or 10M potency, but for exact dosages and directions, please consult your holistic veterinarian.
There is nothing holistic about suffering or pain, and if your dog is in real distress, you may want to explore other pharmaceutical options for pain management; this is especially true in the case of dogs that develop chronic pain post-operatively due to arthritis. Many of the holistic techniques mentioned above can go hand in hand with conventional veterinary medical treatments. For example, if your dog has arthritis or similar conditions, acupuncture can be powerfully effective in combination with allopathic medications, and the drug Adequan actually rebuilds cartilage and lubricates and cushions your pet’s joints. Let the NSAID handle the pain, but continue using alternatives to help heal and support the body.
We all want to do what is best for our pets, and making sure they are comfortable throughout the surgical process is important in their overall recovery. Be sure to attentively listen to your dog’s needs and be open to pursuing other avenues with regard to pain management to assure the best outcome for your dog.
My 14 month old, 55 pound boxer/american bulldog has torn his cruciate ligament. He started limping a few weeks ago and I took him to the vet -they immediately prescribed surgery. He has long legs – bad confirmation making him prone to this type of injury. He is also very funny with his hips and always lies with his legs splayed out like a frog or pointing straight back. We’re going to get x-rays.
I really want to avoid surgery. I have him on bed rest, only going out on a leash for bathroom breaks. It seems to be working. he’s a very lazy mellow dog and has not responded badly to no more walks or play. I’ve read a lot of horror stories and have seen bad results with surgery.
I was thinking along with sever restriction of activity – acupuncture and swimming/water therapy. I’ve read about prolotheraphy and regenerative medicine. I’ve been looking into Sasha’s joint heath supplements or other supplements. I feed Greatlife kibble which is freeze dried raw food and I think really good for him.
I am looking for any input to help save my pup from surgery. He’s just the sweetest guy in the world and the thought of putting him through surgery is very upsetting. I’m a big believer in holistic medicine and I think knee surgery might be over prescribed. What are my options for conservative treatment – by that I mean, I am willing to spend a lot of time, money and effort to avoid surgery.
Even dogs and other pets can try cupuncture, this sounds good.With this I say that dogs are closest to man’s heart, they sure have adapted some of man’s traits and needs perhaps.