Non-conventional ways to treat your dog

It’s becoming more common to treat sick dogs in non-conventional ways. We are becoming more educated about different treatments using natural products or therapies that are non-invasive. Many of these do not have any side effects.

It’s important that before you try an alternative product or treatment to get all the information you can get and for a veterinarian to recommend it. Like humans, dogs are unique making each case different, so what may work for one dog may not work for another.

Here is a list of non-traditional treatments. Let us know in the comment section if you know any!

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a way to treat sicknesses with natural products that don’t have side effects. Classic homeopathy is a medical system based in the use of small quantities of the substances that in large quantities would cause the sickness that’s being treated. Quantities used depend on each patient and the amount of pain he is in, meaning that treatments are personalized. The homeopathic vet will do an in-depth analysis of the disease the dog has, and determine the dosage and duration of the treatment. Usually dog owners go to homeopathic vets to seek treatment from orthopedic problems, epilepsy, cardiac problems, allergies, parasites, etc.

Bach Flowers

This remedy includes 38 wild flowers. They won’t cure any disease but are useful when treating emotional problems like insecurities, apathy, dependence and more. The flowers are usually taken for four days, the drops may be dissolved in the dog’s water or directly in the dog’s food.

Aromatherapy

It consists on treating diseases with different essences. It’s recommended for dogs who have parasites, otitis or dermatological problems. The most used plants are cinnamon, lavender, rosemary, oregano and tea tree oil. The professional is the one who should always determine which plants should be used.

Phytotherapy

Phytotheraphy uses medicinal plants that don’t have any side-effects to prevent, cure or relieve pain. A disadvantage is that the plants may have a bad smell, which dogs don’t like. This therapy or the ones described above should only be used under professional supervision and prescription since they can interfere with other medicines.

Massages

Through massages we can improve our dog’s wellbeing. It’s a therapeutic method that can help him be in better shape physically and mentally. It’s beneficial and recommended for senior dogs, but can also be used on young dogs since it improves muscular tone, nerves and sleeping problems. To learn to do it correctly what’s best is to go to a professional.

Acupuncture

This type of therapy focuses on the acupunctural points on the dog’ body. A professional inserts thin needles into different points of the body depending on the dog’s needs trying to balance his energy. Acupuncture can treat many symptoms like chronic pain, skin conditions, behavioral or cardiac problems. It can help treat many conditions, since it’s a complete and effective treatment. Ask your vet about this technique and how it can help your dog.

Physiotherapy

Sounds more familiar than the others?  Canine physiotherapy is usually used for rehabilitation therapies to help our dog recuperate faster. It’s used when dogs have gone through cases of trauma and muscular distension, osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, fractures and dislocations. Physiotherapy includes various techniques:

• Ultrasound therapy

This technique is used when there are injuries related to sports, rehabilitation and therapies against pain. Ultrasounds are used to get rid of calcification in the bones and to promote the reabsorption of deposits of calcium salts.

• Hydrotherapy

This technique makes the movement of the joints more natural and less painful. It’s becoming a more common and used by professionals.

• Massage therapy

It consists on manipulating soft tissues in the body to help improve the circulation of liquids, and accelerate the cure of degenerative or chronic conditions like osteoarthritis. It produces a relaxing effect that can be beneficial for nervous or aggressive dogs.

• Thermotherapy

It’s a rehabilitation therapy that consists on applying hot and cold. The cold is used to treat musculoskeletal injuries. Applying hot is used to increase blood flow, reduce pain and relax muscles, plus it increases elasticity in tissues.

• Magnetotherapy

It’s like physiotherapy but uses electromagnetic energy for therapeutic purposes using low intensity magnetic fields. It has no side-effects and few contraindications. It’s used in dogs who have arthritis, rheumatism, skin lesions, ulcers and others.

• Cryotherapy

It’s one of the best solutions when treating trauma in the first 24 to 72 hours. It improves vasoconstriction and relaxes muscles.