Acupuncture for your pets

The treatment of ailments using acupuncture has developed in China for over 3,000 years, and is now used to treat a diverse array of medical conditions in the West. Acupuncture involves stimulating nerve fibres, which brings about a change in the muscles, nerves and cells of the body via the central nervous system.

The use of acupuncture in animals is also an ancient tradition, and can be used to give relief in a number of common conditions, such as arthritis, sore backs, weak legs, itchy skin, incontinence, recuperation following surgery, immune conditions, hip dysplasia, torn muscles and ligaments, old injuries and neck pain. In any condition where pain killers do not give enough relief or cause unpleasant side effects, acupuncture can provide an alternative form of treatment.

We are delighted to be able to offer a referral service in acupuncture by a qualified veterinary surgeon who has been treating animals using acupuncture for 6 years. Treatments involve the use of very fine needles, similar to a human hair, which are gently inserted into recognised points where nerve endings lie. Suzannah uses a phototonic torch, similar to a laser, as an alternative to needles for the very needle shy! The treatment stimulates the release of endorphins, so can be a very relaxing way to give relief to your pet’s ailments.

Mrs D Molwuka, who received acupuncture treatments for her three legged rescue dog comments: “I am glad Clover was able to have acupuncture, and it gave me a much happier dog! She was fine with the needles, which surprised me and I kept a diary to see what changes there were – before long everyone in the family noticed and we’ve never looked back”.

For further details, please contact the main reception at our Durrington branch on 01903 503898 who will arrange for you to speak to Suzannah Stacey MRCVS directly.

Training tips for pups!

I thought it would be fun to add some training tips on the blog, so here’s the first!

Sit is one of easiest things to teach a puppy as it is an automatic response. It can be achieved by simply getting the puppy’s attention with a tasty treat (the size of a thumb nail is all that’s needed) and raising it above/over the puppy’s head to lure him into a sit. Use the command ‘sit’ as he does so. Give him the treat as praise. It is important to give him the treat as soon as the desired task has been completed otherwise the puppy will not associate his actions with the praise.

If the puppy jumps up to try to get the treat, very gently hold the pup’s collar to prevent this.

Teach in short, positive training sessions – puppies have a limited attention span and getting a few good sits is far more productive than struggling to get lots of ‘sort of sits’.

As a general rule no more than a few minutes per session (depending on the puppy).

Keep your eyes on the blog for more top training tips! If you have questions and need help with your puppy, call our Practice Nurses on 01903 234866. They will be delighted to give your pups a cuddle and help with any queries.

Thank you to Sarah Treagus, Puppy School trainer for this information.

A very important Christmas message

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
With no thought of the dog filling their heads.

And mum in her kerchief, and dad in his cap,
Knew he was cold but didn’t care about that.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Figuring he was free of his chain and into the trash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When what, to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa Claus – and his eyes full of tears.

He unchained the dog once so lively and quick,
Last year’s Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick.

More rapid than eagles he called the dogs name.
And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain.

“Now DASHER!
Now DANCER!
Now PRANCER and VIXEN!!
On COMET!
On CUPID!
On DONER and BLITZEN!!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Let’s find this dog a home where he’s loved by all.”

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year
For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear…

The gift of a dog is not just for a season.
We had got the poor pup for all the wrong reasons.

In our haste to think of the kids a gift
There was one important thing that we missed.

A dog should be family and cared for the same.
You don’t give a gift then put it on a chain.

And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight,
“You weren’t given a gift! You were given a life!”