Health Benefits of Veterinary Acupuncture for Pets

Did you know that pets, as well as people, can respond really well to acupuncture?

We’re delighted to now be able to offer this ancient Chinese therapy as a holistic supplement to traditional veterinary care. Veterinary acupuncture can be particularly useful when dealing with mobility issues, chronic pain conditions such as joint pain, and gastrointestinal issues. It’s an ideal treatment for older, geriatric pets who can find the therapy quiet calming, although it’s a useful complementary treatment for all life-stages.

Veterinary acupuncture is thought to work in a few different ways:
  • It can stimulate the release of the pain relieving and anti-inflammatory chemicals as well as relax muscles at the site of the needle insertion, causing both local and more generalised pain relief
  • Veterinary acupuncture can improve blood flow to tissue, increase oxygenation and remove metabolic waste and toxins
  • Unlike prescription drugs, there are no potential adverse side effects. It can also safely be used in conjunction with traditional vet medicine

Vet Alice Moore, who joined us in April, has been treating patients with acupuncture for a number of years.

“I find veterinary acupuncture to be useful in treating a whole range of conditions” says Alice. “Owners are often surprised that cats, dogs and rabbits all tolerate acupuncture really well and I have used it to treat back pain, arthritis, bladder problems and all sorts of lameness issues”

Alice Moore

Veterinary Surgeon

Here are some photos of Raz and Monty who are both being treated at our Dorchester clinic.

Here are some photos of Raz and Monty who are both being treated at our Dorchester clinic for front leg injuries.
Here are some photos of Raz and Monty who are both being treated at our Dorchester clinic for front leg injuries.
Here are some photos of Raz and Monty who are both being treated at our Dorchester clinic for front leg injuries.

If you think your pet might benefit from veterinary acupuncture or are just interested to learn more, contact us on 01305 267083 or using Petsapp

Castle Vets have partnered with Virtual Veterinary Specialists!

Castle Vets have partnered with Virtual Veterinary Specialists, a team of world-class specialists who work alongside our excellent veterinary team here at Castle Vets to achieve the best possible outcomes for your beloved pet.

So if we feel that your pet would benefit from being examined by a specialist for a more complex health issue, we can now use cutting edge technology to enable us to work together with the specialist to examine and treat your pet, here at Castle Vets.

This option is not only very convenient for you as there is no need to travel or take time off of work, but it is also much less stressful for your pet as they remain in the familiar environment of our practice with our caring veterinary team.  And you can rest assured that your beloved pet has received the best possible veterinary care all under one roof, here at Castle Vets!

Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) in Dogs

Does your dog have a big heart?

We should check it’s the right kind!

Here at Castle Vets we are launching a campaign to get as many dogs as possible diagnosed and staged with their heart disease because it can make a real difference to the outcome.

There are different types of heart disease but one of the most common causes of a murmur is Mitral Valve Disease (MVD).

What is Mitral Valve disease in dogs?

Mitral Valve Disease, Canine Myxomatous, or MVD, is a condition that primarily affects small to medium sized dogs, although it can affect any size dog. Degenerative changes thicken the valve in the heart, causing it to leak. When the disease progresses, the heart enlarges. This can eventually lead to heart failure.

Not all dogs with MVD will go into heart failure. Dogs with MVD who do go into heart failure are normally those with an enlarged heart. Usually dogs with both MVD and an enlarged heart will develop heart failure within 1-2 years.

There are certain breeds that are known to be likely to develop this condition, such as; Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Dachschunds. Although the genetics are being investigated, the disease is very common in small breed dogs as they age.

Dogs with MVD and an enlarged heart have been shown to stay outwardly healthy for longer and live longer with treatment. This is why it is important to check your dog’s heart so that treatment can be started at the right time to delay the onset of heart failure and keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible.

What can I do about MVD?

Here at Castle Vets, we have partnered with Virtual Veterinary Specialists to offer a Mitral Valve Screening ultrasound scan with a Specialist Cardiologist. Find out more about Virtual Veterinary Specialists here

Get £50 off an MVD Screening with a Specialist Cardiologist

For October and November we can offer MVD Screening for just £250. (Usually £300)
The scan will assess the severity of the heart disease and whether the heart is enlarged. If indicated then medicine can be prescribed to slow the progression of the disease.

Call the surgery to book an MVD Screening today
Simply call the surgery to book a Mitral Valve Screening Ultrasound appointment today and we can keep your dog happy and healthy for as long as possible.

Dorchester: 01305 267083 Weymouth: 01305 813303
LIMITED OFFER!

If you would like further information on Mitral Valve Disease then we recommend taking a look at http://bit.ly/beatdogheartdisease