We at the Elmsdale Animal Hospital are please to announce that we now offer Laser Therapy! We have been researching and referring clients to other practices for these treatments for years, so when the opportunity for us to get our own laser came up, we jumped on it.
Pain and inflammation are decreased, and faster healing is promoted. Chronic conditions (things that happen slowly and are constant) the laser can help with are degenerative joint disease, inflammatory bowel disease, back pain, and many itchy skin diseases. It can even help with sore, inflamed ears and with cystitis (inflammation of the bladder). One of the best things about Laser Therapy is its non-invasive. The laser has no negative effect on healthy tissue so there are no concerns when using it. There are however certain ailments where Laser Therapy is not recommended, such as cancer. Since the laser promotes cellular regeneration, it can cause tumors to grow at a faster rate. We recommend discussing any concerns you may have with your veterinarian. While patients can see relief after just one laser treatment, the effects are cumulative. Like many homeopathic treatments (acupuncture, chiropractic, etc.) you may need several treatments in a course to resolve the problem. Ask your veterinarian about our packages. One very nice thing for us veterinary professionals to see is your pet coming to see us in more of a relaxed and stress-free manner with each and every visit. The laser is tolerated well by aggressive cats to anxious dogs, and in some cases can be applied without us even touching the patient. Pain relief for pets has come a long way!
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Hi everyone! November is "Celebrating Seniors" month at the Elmsdale Animal Hospital so we thought it would be the perfect time to start our blog series on senior pets! Part 1 will be focusing on something that plagues many seniors: Arthritis. Senior pets have always had a soft spot in my heart. With advances in science and research we have been seeing pets live longer and more comfortable lives. With this in mind, there are many things to watch out for as our pets age. When a pet ages normally, you will still see them engaging in their normal everyday activities, just a bit slower. They may not jump as high, walk as far or run as fast, but they should still be interested in doing these things. Their hearing may not be as keen, and their eyesight may weaken, especially at night.
Because our four-legged friends can’t tell us what hurts in words, we have to look for other clues of arthritis. In cats, the signs are usually that they are jumping up less and finding it harder to get in and out of the litterbox. Dogs with arthritis may not be as excited to go for a walk or play with their toys.
Alternative therapies like acupuncture, massage and therapeutic laser treatments have also been shown to help many senior pets by reducing pain and inflammation.
While these drugs are tolerated well by most pets, there are some possible side effects (mostly gastrointestinal upset) so you should only use them after consulting your veterinarian. The most important thing to remember when you have an arthritic pet is that their quality of life is the top priority. We never want our pets to be in pain, especially our older friends who have given us years of companionship and love. So, whether it takes supplements, medications, alternative therapy or any combination of the above, if our pets are comfortable, we’re happy 😊 **MAKE SURE TO CALL THE OFFICE AT (902)883-7080 TO HEAR ABOUT OUR NOVEMBER SPECIALS FOR YOUR SENIOR PET!**
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AuthorDr. Juanita Ashton, BSc, DVM, ACDBC-IAABC is a certified Canine Behavioural Consultant, and one of the owners of the Elmsdale Animal Hospital Archives
March 2020
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