My expertise
Expertise in integrated veterinary medicine including...
Chiropractic care
The spine is the core of all vertebrates, including dogs and cats. A wide range of conditions, for instance lameness and arthritis, can manifest physiologically through spinal tension, stiffness and imbalance. The whole body adapts to accommodate spinal imbalances, potentially causing chronic conditions in joints and muscles far removed from the source of the problem. A chiropractic assessment examines the condition of the animal’s spine, identifying points of tension and weakness. Chiropractic treatment, in the form of carefully directed pressure or manipulation with the hands, adjusts the vertebral alignment and can alleviate problems local to the spine, and throughout the body. You can find out more here.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the treatment and prevention of disease by the insertion of fine needles into key points of the body. The needles are single use, sterile and well tolerated by most animals. The stimulation of the needles modifies the way in which pain is perceived by the central nervous system. Reducing pain improves the animal’s sense of well-being and can promote correct gait patterns, breaking the self-perpetuation of chronic postural problems. In addition, hormones are released that can help to normalise body chemistry, supporting rehabilitation and improving resistance to disease. You can find out more here.
Herbal medicine
Herbal medicine is the treatment and prevention of disease using plant extracts. The plants are prepared as teas, tablets or tinctures to be taken internally and as ointments, lotions or gels to be applied externally. Herbal medicines contain a diverse assortment of compounds that occur in the plant and often benefit several aspects of the animal's health at the same time. Preparations of a single plant may be used but it is often effective to formulate bespoke preparations that take into account the needs of the individual animal. I prepare medical grade herbal tinctures and stock tablets from suppliers including
Mediherb ,
Phoenix Medical ,
MycoNutri and
Nutravet . You can find out more
here.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is the treatment of disease or injury by methods such as massage, heat treatment, cold treatment, and therapeutic exercise. It helps to restore movement and function in joints and muscles. It can also help to reduce the risk of injury or illness and improve sports performance. Individually tailored therapeutic exercises can give the owner a useful way of speeding up the rehabilitation process at home.
Nutrition
Appropriate good quality nutrition is essential for animals to recover from any illness, and to thrive in full health. Over the last decade people have started taking a real interest in what their pets' diets contain. There are more pet-food options than ever including raw food, freshly cooked food and grain-free kibbles. The right food should maximise the health and longevity of the animal, and be a long-term sustainable solution for the owner.