Acupuncture can help pets, too

BY VINDHYA CIANELLI

The little dog was paralyzed. She had been this way for five days after trauma to her spine. Her big, brown eyes were scared but pleading for help as she dragged herself around the room. As I gently examined her, she yelped in pain when I touched the middle of her back. She had absolutely no feeling in her back legs and no ability to move them. The X-rays suggested a herniated disk. The typical recommendation for this type of injury is a very expensive surgery that should be done within a few hours after the injury to give her the chance to walk again. This dog was in trouble, but I knew I could help her at a fraction of the cost for surgery. And with a better chance for her to walk again.

How? With acupuncture and herbal medicines. After just three treatments, she was able to stand. Two more treatments, she was walking and able to urinate on her own. By the sixth treatment, she was almost running. That was two years ago. And this little dog is still running around like nothing had ever happened.

Acupuncture is becoming more popular and available for our furry family members. As more and more people are turning to natural cures for their own ailments, rather than just reaching for the bottle of pills that will only temporarily help, they are also looking for a similar approach for their pet companions. Acupuncture is a type of holistic medicine that aims to cure the underlying problem, or problems, permanently.

How does it work? Acupuncture has been practiced in China for more than 4,000 years. It is based on the concept of vital life energy, or Qi (pronounced chee). Scientific research has proven that Qi circulates through the body along defined pathways called meridians. These meridians are connected to the surface of the skin at specific points called acupuncture points. A great number of studies indicate that stimulation of these points causes a release of endorphins, serotonin and other chemical signals from the brain. These chemical signals can stimulate the flow of Qi and blood, enabling the body to heal itself.

Does it hurt? During an acupuncture treatment, needles smaller than a human hair are gently inserted into specific points chosen for specific illnesses. More than 90 percent of patients are comfortable with the needles. Some even fall asleep during the treatment due to extreme relaxation. Sedation is not needed nor recommended during an acupuncture treatment.

What can you treat with acupuncture? The most common indications for acupuncture include arthritis, paralysis, geriatric weakness, urinary leakage, kidney disease, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, seizures, skin problems, allergies, cancer, and behavioral problems. Almost every illness (or imbalance) can benefit from acupuncture whether acute or chronic, since the ultimate goal is really whole-body balance.

What can acupuncture provide that conventional medicine cannot? Acupuncture takes an individualized whole-body approach to diagnosis and treatment. It takes into account an individual’s specific emotional, nutritional and physical environment, and how these things influence the connection between all of the organs of the body. It acknowledges that a problem in one organ system can have significant effects on other systems. Therefore, it not only can treat current problems but can also play a pivotal role in prevention of disease.

Is it possible to make things worse with acupuncture? No. Since acupuncture is based on the body’s ability to heal itself, it can only help and can never cause any harm.

If I am interested in acupuncture for my pet, where should I start? First, be sure to find a certified veterinary acupuncturist. This certification is awarded only to licensed veterinarians after rigorous training, testing and case reports. I would suggest asking your regular veterinarian for a referral. Most acupuncturists are happy to communicate with your regular veterinarian regarding your pet’s holistic care.

As we move towards more “organic” lifestyles for ourselves, we should also consider more natural lifestyles for our pets, especially with respect to health care options. Acupuncture is a gentle and effective method to heal our pets and promote a good quality of life.

Your Pet is published on the second Monday of each month. Dr. Vindhya Cianelli received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Michigan in 1998 and was awarded her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. She then completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery in Springfield, Mass., and she has been practicing veterinary medicine in New Hampshire since 2003. She developed an interest in holistic medicine and expanded her skills to include acupuncture, herbal medicine, Reiki, food therapy, and massage. Cianelli is certified as a veterinary acupuncturist. Cianelli is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, and the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. For a holistic medicine or acupuncture consultation with Cianelli, contact the Animal Hospital of Nashua at 880-3034.

Originally published at Telegraph Neighbors

Tick-Borne Diseases

by Dr. Natalee Holt, DVM


It's the middle of the night. The dogs and cats are peacefully sleeping in their beds. I am jarred awake by a blood-curdling scream. "There's a tick on my leg!" The lights go on. It is my husband and there is in fact a tick on his leg. At some point, he stops jumping around and the tick is removed. I am fairly impressed that something only 3 mm in diameter could make a grown man scream (and dance around and scream some more.) Ticks have power!

Because of the pleasantly warm winter, we are supposed to experience a plague of ticks this spring and summer. The tick must be respected as one of the great vectors of diseases. There are no less than 12 diseases of people found in the United States that are spread by ticks. Because they bite wildlife and people, and they pass diseases between one life stage and the next, ticks are able to keep these diseases prevalent in our lives. Lyme disease always takes the spotlight, especially for pet owners in this part of the country. However, there are several other common tick-borne illnesses that affect dogs in this area; they can be far more severe than Lyme disease.

Ehrlichiosis is a disease that is found all over the country. Ehrlichia is a small bacterium that is transmitted from ticks to dogs. Once inside the dog, the bacteria invade white blood cells. The white blood cells then carry the bacteria all around the body. An affected dog will develop a fever, and severe sicknesses that can affect the brain, kidneys, lungs, red blood cells, and platelets. If untreated, this phase of the disease can resolve on its own, but the dog will remain infected for years. Some dogs will then go on to develop a chronic form of disease in which the bone marrow becomes affected and the white blood cells are no longer made properly. If this happens, the dog will be susceptible to many infections. When caught early, this disease is easily treated with antibiotics. While Ehrlichia is more common in the southern part of the United States, the tick that spreads the disease, the Brown Dog Tick, does live in New England. As a result, we see affected dogs every year.

Anaplasmosis is another little known tick-borne disease which is prevalent in New England. There are several strains of this bacterium which is transmitted by the Deer Tick, the same tick that transmits Lyme disease. When the tick bites the dog, the bacteria enter the body and invade the white blood cells or platelets, depending on the strain. While this sounds similar to Ehrlichia, the manifestation of the disease that it causes tends to be milder. Dogs can have a fever, feel lethargic, and experience muscle and joint pain. Dogs with anaplasmosis will also have a decrease in platelets, the cell that clots the blood. Sometimes a low platelet count is the only sign a dog has Anaplasma. Typically, the platelet count is not low enough to cause any problems, but occasionally the platelet count can be severely affected. It is fairly common to see cases of Anaplasmosis in this area, and fortunately it is easily treated with antibiotics. Unlike Ehrlichia, there does not seem to be a chronic disease state that develops.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is another disease caused by transmission of a bacteria from a tick. The ticks that carry these bacteria are the Brown Dog Tick and the American Dog Tick. This disease is more common in the mid-Atlantic region and the south, but does exist in New England; I have seen several cases in the past few years. Once in the body, the bacteria invade the cells that line the blood vessels. As a result, the blood vessels all over the body become inflamed. As inflamed blood vessel will leak fluid, and as a result, you may notice the dog has swollen legs or build-up of fluid in the skin. Damage of the blood vessels in the liver, kidney, and heart can lead to organ failure. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a serious and life-threatening disease. While the disease can be treated with antibiotics, in some cases the organ damage is too extensive.

While dogs are very susceptible to these diseases, cats tend to be more resistant. Cats may test positive for Ehrlichia or Anaplasma but not show signs of illness. Rarely, a cat will have similar symptoms as a dog and test positive for one of these diseases.

 You may be taking your dog for Lyme vaccines annually, but that vaccine is not effective against Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The only way to prevent these diseases is to limit tick exposure. This includes avoiding tick-infested areas, combing through your dog's fur after taking walks outside, and promptly removing any free or embedded ticks. Application of a topical anti-tick medication should be done religiously during tick season.

Unlike my husband, I do not scream when I find a tick on me. When I lived in the Midwest, I would be able to find ticks of 4 or 5 different species on myself or my dog after a single walk; some ticks actually have beautiful markings. While I do not fear them, I do respect them and the power they have to spread illness. Please be vigilant this season and contact your veterinarian about the best way to protect your dog.      

Originally published in the Hollis Times on July 11, 2012.