Treating old dogs with new tricks
DOG owners are turning to Chinese acupuncture and other alternative therapy treatments to fix the yin and yang in their ailing pets.
NSW
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DOG owners are turning to Chinese acupuncture and other alternative therapy treatments to fix the yin and yang in their ailing pets.
As well as restoring a pooch’s chi through ancient needlework, other treatments now covered by pet insurers include herbal medicine, chiropractic manipulation, and homoeopathy if endorsed by a vet.
Even though some treatments have been criticised for having little grounding in science, animal rights group People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is on board.
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“If the proper administration of alternative therapies can truly relieve a companion animal’s pain ... as is often the case with acupuncture, there’s no reason not to give it a try,” spokeswoman Emma Hurst said.
Australian Veterinary Association president Dr Paula Parker said any treatment should be “safe, effective and proven”.
Tim Norris from Sydney company Both Ends of the Lead treats nine-year-old border collie Monty with massage and acupuncture to relieve arthritis and says more pet owners are seeking alternatives to pain medication.
“The services we provide can help reduce the need for medication or even potentially get the dogs off them eventually,” he said.
According to Finder, the average cost of a comprehensive pet insurance policy for a one-year-old dog is $780 however prices increase with age. Petplan is the main pet insurer that covers alternative therapies.
Insurance expert Bessie Hassan at finder.com.au said while pet insurance policies tend to exclude alternative therapies or preventative treatments, insurers such as Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance offer cover for routine care wellness treatments.