For Oct. 1:
Q: I was wondering if acupuncture could help my paralyzed dog?
A: I am so glad that you asked that question! Acupuncture has over 5000 years history of use in Chinese medicine.' Only recently, has acupuncture received recognition as a bona fide treatment modality in animals. This is a fascinating subject that is worthy of discussion.
Acupuncture is well known to achieve surgical anesthesia in all species and is used in China for surgery and many other applications which certainly attest to the validity of the technique. I hope that anyone with a difficult problem will think to try acu- puncture before considering euthanasia or other irreversible treatments of your animals.
You may have some difficulty finding a practitioner that is versed in acupuncture but it is well worth your effort! I have used acupuncture in sore horses for over 10 years with excellent results. There are many detractors around, however, if you try it, you will find that there is merit to this therapy. If you have a ,sore backed horse of dog, even a paralyzed dog, you may wish to try it. Contact me with any questions that you have via phone or email. This is a very exciting field!
For Oct. 8:
Q: Can you explain what ambulatory practice means? Is that where you come to the farm and what can you do?
A: Ambulatory practice has been common for farm animals for years! It is like a house call for people which also used to be common. Most ambulatory vets have a storage unit of some kind that they carry with them that will have a lot of medicines and instruments also X-ray and Endoscopy are common. Horse veterinarians also carry lots of dental equipment so that the work can be done on your farm. Then there are house call practices. They vary from just a visit in your home like the old family doctor to a motor home equipped as a complete veterinary hospital on wheels.
Personally, I like to do both. I go to homes and farms and I have animals come to me sometimes. I keep most of my equipment with me on my "vetmobile", so that it is always handy.
Call if you want to know what an individual offers as you could be surprised at how much ambulatory vets can do! Pets enjoy not leaving home, and housebound or just busy people, it is a great alternative to a trip in the car!
countryclassicsnaches@hotmail.com
Kaia Sorem, DVM
WSU 1984
Veterinary Service
Pet Grooming
Country Classics Antiques
Hwy. 12 & 410 across from Slim's Market
Naches WA 98937
1-509-653-2108
Past Dr. Kaia columns:
Oct. 8, 2003 Ambulatory Veterinary Practice
Oct. 1, 2003 Acupuncture for Animals
Sept. 24, 2003 Winter Care for Horses
Sept. 17, 2003 Found Sickly Puppy
Sept. 10, 2003 Horse Not Conditioned Properly
Aug. 27, 2003 Barrel Horse Anxious and Unwilling
Aug. 20, 2003 Cats Get Tumors From Vaccines?
Aug. 13, 2003 Horse Unshod All Year?