Finding A Great Veterinarian

There's nothing worse than to see your furry buddy in pain, limping, walking with a different gait, or feeling listless when he normally would be running and playing fetch. This change can be difficult to watch, especially in younger dogs that have so much more life in them. Pain medication may only mask the pain for a short time, and you may not want to put your dog through a tough surgery. The other option is alternative therapy. See below for some alternative therapy options to help your dog heal without medicine or surgery:

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is when a very intense beam of light is used in a concentrated area to help promote circulation, reduce inflammation and reduce pain. This is a non-invasive treatment, and your dog will not feel any pain from the laser. If anything he may feel some heat in the area where the laser is being used. Laser therapy is used to treat a number of disorders such as:

• Neurologic conditions
• Injuries
• Arthritis
• Infections
• Sprains or fractures
• Other conditions that may have caused inflammation

Laser therapy is a short procedure, and some dogs may feel immediate pain after the therapy session.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care can be beneficial in treating pain and other disorders in dogs, just as it does with humans. Our spine can become misaligned with time, and from injuries, and dogs can also experience this same type of misalignment in their spine as well. Chiropractic manipulation can help realign their spine and other misaligned joints in the body. It can also enhance bodily functions, increase their range of motion, and relieve pain or discomfort. This is a non-invasive form of therapy that your dog will enjoy. Chiropractic care is beneficial in treating the following injuries or disorders:

• Arthritis
• Hip dysplasia
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Back or neck problems
• Sports injuries

Other Alternative Therapy Treatments:

• Acupuncture
• Homeopathy
• Massage therapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Essential oils

There are a number of alternative therapy options to treat your dog to help alleviate pain and discomfort to help your dog heal. Traditional pain medication may only be a short-term solution, and surgery can be very invasive, with no real way of knowing how your dog will feel after the surgery. Talk to your veterinarian about alternative therapy and which may be right for your dog and his disorder or injury. Try one of these non-invasive treatments before putting your beloved pet through surgery.

Contact a medical center like Downing Center For Animal Pain Management for more information and assistance.