cats

What is Acupuncture?

June 12, 2017Phyllis Barnard Animal Acupuncture

What happens when I stick needles in a dog or a cat?
A) They bite me.
B) They look at me with suspicion.
C) They relax.
D) They experience pain relief and/or a decrease in symptoms.
E) Any or all of the above.

The answer is E, but mercifully, answer A is pretty rare. In an age where many people are seeking alternative health options for themselves, it’s nice to know that many of those options are also available for our pets. Acupuncture, herbal formulas, and laser and chiropractic treatments are all available in the Asheville area for animals.
Most pets – even cats—are willing to experience an acupuncture treatment. On the first visit, many patients are a little concerned and restless. The actual experience lasts between fifteen and thirty minutes, and many patients don’t like to sit still that long. However, after they realize how much better they feel, most pets come in a much more cooperative state for the second visit. For many it is a relaxing and pleasant experience.

Why do my patients come to me?
A) They have chronic pain from hip dysplasia, arthritis, difficulty moving, etc.
B) They are dachshunds with bad backs.
C) They want improved healing and pain relief after surgery.
D) They have skin allergies.
E) They are exhibiting anxiety or behavior problems.
F) They have chronic infections or non-healing wounds.
G) They are comfortable in a special kind of clinic that feels like someone’s home instead of a clinic.
H) All of the above.

The answer is H. Acupuncture helps so many different conditions, and animals heal better in a space where they can relax. When the patient and his family are comfortable, everyone benefits. Alternative therapies can be a great addition to traditional medicine, and in some cases can decrease or eliminate the need for western drugs. I have seen many cases where the owner believed that they had tried every option, only to find acupuncture and other alternative methods extended their animal’s quality of life for a significant amount of time. For man and beast alike, a quality existence and good health are the top goals.
We are fortunate to live in an area where we are so open to these modalities, and many local practitioners often work together to create an individual plan for our patients’ needs. I believe we extend hope when the situation may look hopeless, and we can also provide early treatment to prevent progression of disease with little or no side effects. Many of us are discovering a more holistic approach to healthcare is desirable for ourselves and our pet family members.

The Fascinating Cat

January 28, 2014Phyllis Barnard Animal Acupuncture

Cats are mysterious creatures. They are beautiful, smart, independent and capable of hiding symptoms until their sickness is severe. As a veterinarian I will also add the adjectives challenging and dangerous. When I enter an exam room, the cleverest cats will sit quietly backed up against the wall on the table. When I reach out to touch them, they break out their kitty Kung-Fu and become a mass of teeth, claws and (sometimes) urine. That interaction is always a fun experience. The other common response is an immediate hiss when they see me. Those guys at least let me know we’re going to go a few rounds. Very rarely does a cat bound towards me gleefully. So, with those personalities, why do I want to help you help them? Because I love cats!

Cats have some quite common conditions that require quick attention when you notice the signs. Three of the most frequent problems include Feline Urologic Syndrome, Feline Leukemia Virus, and linear foreign bodies. Stick with me. You won’t need a veterinary degree to get through this article! Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS) is a condition where a cat’s bladder lining gets very irritated from a sandy sludge that develops inside the bladder. Sometimes there is a concurrent bacterial infection, but not always. Early signs are frequent trips to the litter box, licking around the area from where they urinate, and blood in the urine. Cats will often urinate in odd places like sinks or bathtubs. They are smart enough to let you know something is wrong.

This condition becomes an emergency when the cat cannot pass urine. The sludge forms a plug and serves as a cork. The owner will then notice the cat is straining in the litterbox. Some people will report the cat looks constipated. If this goes without treatment, the cat might also vomit and become dehydrated. Prolonged blockage of the bladder leads to death. Treatment for FUS may include a diet change, increased water intake (and/or filtered water), antibiotics and even hospitalization if a blockage is suspected. The sooner an owner detects the problem, the quicker the cat will recover.

Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are nasty diseases indeed. Although some cats can “convert” the viruses, many who become infected carry the virus forever and can become very sick. Both viruses are contagious, and Feline Leukemia is especially so. It is spread by saliva, bites, and grooming, so even cats eating out of the food bowl with an infected cat can become infected. FIV is a little harder to catch. It is spread through bites and sexual contact. Outside, unneutered male cats are the most likely to catch this virus.

Because these viruses suppress the immune system like AIDS does in humans, the symptoms can be variable. Cats may have fevers, pale gums, diarrhea, coughing, jaundice, or even tumors. Cats can live for years with these viruses in the right conditions, but once they become sick they are very hard to return to good health. The best defense is prevention by getting proper vaccinations and controlling your cat’s environment so he is not exposed to potentially infected cats.

The final condition is very common and can be hard to diagnose. A linear foreign body is usually a string, piece of yarn, fishing line, or some similar material. In the “olden” days, we saw cats who had eaten the tape out of music cassettes, but only we old dodgers even know what cassette tapes are anymore. Cats love to chase and chew on objects, and they seem particularly attracted to stringy objects. They eat them, and the object makes its way into the stomach and heads into the intestines. The string can cling to the sides of the intestines and cause them to “bunch up” like an accordion. The string can also cut into the intestines. This process can cause vomiting, fever from secondary infection, lack of appetite, and diarrhea or the lack of stool at all. When the cat has reached this point, surgery is indicated. Sometimes we even find the string wrapped around the base of the tongue. The best idea again is prevention by removing any string-like objects from your cat’s environment. As you can imagine, Christmas is a particularly dangerous time for cats with all the tinsel, ribbons and bows.

These days I do acupuncture on dogs and cats for a variety of conditions. How do I put needles in cats, you ask? Well you’ll just have to come by and watch the magic for yourself! Until then, keep a good eye on your kitty because as in everything in life, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The sooner a problem is identified, the quicker and more likely the patient will make a full recovery.

Arthritis and Animal Acupuncture

July 29, 2012Phyllis Barnard Animal Acupuncture Animal Pain Relief

If you’re lucky, you have had the privilege of living with a senior dog or cat. Puppies and kittens are cute and playful, but older pets know your routine, and they know your soul. Sometimes we end up with several aging pets at once, and that can really be a challenge.

Many years ago, when I first started using acupuncture, I met a Bassett hound named Barney. He was twelve years old, and he had serious issues with his skin and his hips. He couldn’t stand up well, and when he did get up, he was slow moving. His concerned owners looked to me for help, and I wanted to make Barney comfortable. With a combination of treatments, we kept him living a good life for another three years.

With age come problems of pain, stiffness, bladder, and bowel problems, and even senility. We struggle with hard choices about quality of life. There is much good news. Just because our pets are growing old doesn’t mean it’s the end of the line. We have many options to help our furry family members, and many of those choices are natural treatments with few, if any, side effects. Old age is not a disease!

Very commonly in my clinic I see dogs with arthritic knees, backs, and hips. Larger breeds like Boxers, German Shepherds, and Labradors often develop these problems. Some have trouble getting up and down or climbing stairs. Often because of their difficulty squatting or going outside, we also see house training accidents. Dogs may also sleep more or eat less because of the pain.

When dogs display any of these symptoms, the best first step is to get an accurate diagnosis. Determining if the problem in his knees, back, or hips can help you pick the most effective treatment. Radiographs (x-rays) can be extremely helpful in locating arthritis, fractures, and poorly aligned joints. With a good physical exam and radiographs, treatment will be more successful.

Treatments for arthritis vary in cost, effectiveness, and availability. Many NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are available. They are potent but can have serious side effects. Many times, I will try other options first or use the NSAIDS at a lower dose with other treatments. Supplements such as glucosamine/chondroitin, adequan, and fatty acids are also used with joint pain and inflammation. Alternative/holistic veterinarians might use herbal medicines, essential oils, or acupuncture to treat the symptoms. I find acupuncture to be a remarkably effective treatment for many forms of arthritis. We are fortunate in the Asheville area to have practitioners who perform physical rehabilitation and chiropractic treatments for pets as well.

Sometimes a pet owner will arrive in my clinic thinking the visit will involve euthanasia for their beloved and loyal old pet. When I tell them about all the options for pain and arthritis, they are relieved and excited. My reward comes when they call me in a few days to let me know how well their pet is doing. Senior dogs and cats can have decent quality lives even with the problems of old age if we find the right treatments to help them.