AROUND HERE CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP YOUR PET?
’s Story
DR. WILSON EXPLAINS THE BENEFITS
Speaking of meant to be … after Mom and Dad got Ace, they realized he needed a playmate. They’ve been looking at a breeder in St. Regis who always had beautiful puppies from their
Here at the clinic, we’re lucky to have Dr. Mindy Wilson on staff. She’s been a veterinarian since 2002 and became a certified veterinary medical acupuncturist in 2018. Many patients are curious to learn more about this treatment option, so we’re answering a few FAQs. HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK? Acupuncture is a neuromuscular-based therapy. Small needles are placed at strategic points on your pet’s body to stimulate different nerves. Each nerve is part of the body’s greater nervous system and that’s all linked to the brain, which controls sensation and pain. Needles can help increase blood flow to an area and can also trigger the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain to help your pet relax or combat pain.
stud, Shadow. They usually have a 4–5 year waiting list, but Mom and Dad decided to call them to see if they had anyone who could be Ace’s buddy. Lo and behold, there were two 8-month-old puppies from a recent litter whose adoption had fallen through! The family packed in the car and came home with Rio.
He’s on the opposite end of the color spectrum from Ace. As an English Lab, he’s supposed to have a yellowish coat, but he’s almost pure white. And he’s BIG — over 100 pounds! But he still thinks he’s a lap dog. He’s really 100 pounds of pure love. We all love our veterinarian, Dr. Clark, and everyone at the Animal Clinic of Kalispell. I used to go to a different place before Mom and Dad got together.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN IT HELP TREAT? Acupuncture has a wide range of uses for animals. It’s an excellent way to prehab pets before orthopedic surgery with Dr. Clark. And after surgery, incorporating acupuncture can help decrease pain and facilitate faster healing. It can also help speed recovery after injuries that don’t require surgery. Acupuncture can also be effective in helping to treat chronic conditions like arthritis, incontinence, rhinitis (sinus issues), and digestive issues (to stimulate appetite or reduce vomiting). It can also be used for kidney or organ support and is an excellent way to improve quality of life for older animals in need of old-age care.
I’ll be the first to admit that I prefer the female humans more than the male ones (can you blame me?), and my old doctor wasn’t my favorite man. But the first time I saw Dr. Clark, I knew he was an exception to the rule. He’s awesome, and we all love going to visit him. Ace even ate a stuffed animal whole just so he could spend some time with Nia and Dr. Clark! Well, maybe he ate it just because he’s a puppy, and he hasn’t learned that stuffed animals can’t be digested! Either way, Mom and Dad trust Dr. Clark and his staff with our lives. And since our crew ranges from Labrador puppies to our old lady, Abby, we’re glad to have a veterinarian we love who can handle any issues that arise in our diverse pack.
THERE’S NO WAY YOU’RE GETTING MY DOG OR CAT TO STAY STILL! This isn’t an FAQ, but Dr. Wilson says it’s a frequently expressed concern! She’s proud to report that she hasn’t found an animal yet that won’t let her treat them with acupuncture. After a thorough exam from nose to toes, Dr. Wilson can assess where to place the very small acupuncture needles. Most animals don’t even notice them! She’s careful to avoid any tender areas and starts by placing needles in locations that encourage relaxation by helping release endorphins and serotonin. The pets she’s treating begin to associate her with relaxation and feeling good, which makes it a breeze to continue the treatment regimen in subsequent sessions. WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW? Acupuncture isn’t a one-time fix. The effects of acupuncture are cumulative, so several appointments are necessary to get the full benefits of this treatment. Each session can last up to 45 minutes. If your pet is a good candidate for acupuncture, Dr. Wilson will let you know the number and frequency of treatments your pet needs to see benefits.
Thanks for listening to our story!
Inspired by JoyTheBaker.com
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. 2. In a medium bowl, combine egg, cat food, parsley, olive oil, and water. 3. Add flour and rice, stirring to blend the mixture together. 4. On a prepared baking sheet, spread the mixture evenly, about 1/3-inch thick. Bake for 12–15 minutes. 5. Let cool, then slice treats into bite-size pieces. 6. Bake for an additional 8 minutes. 7. Allow treats to cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator
Finally, Dr. Wilson stresses that acupuncture isn’t a replacement for other kinds of treatment for your animals. Rather, it’s a complementary form of care that you can add to your pet’s treatment regimen, which may include medication, supplements, laser therapy, or surgery and rehabilitation. Most pet owners want to do whatever it takes to make sure their pet is healthy and pain-free. Acupuncture is an excellent tool that helps us achieve that for our clients.
406.755.6886
3
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker