How to Help Your Pet with Chronic Pain

Some pets respond well to traditional therapies like medication, while others do better with a more integrative approach. Gentle Care Animal Hospital is pleased to offer pain management in Lawrence, KS, that considers each pet’s individual needs for pain management.

Here Are Some of Our Integrative Pain Management Techniques for Pets

Understanding that pain relief doesn’t always come from a pill or liquid, Gentle Care Animal Hospital provides pet owners with several other options to help their pets feel better.

Acupuncture

This technique can reduce the pain and general discomfort associated with arthritis, hip dysplasia, allergies, digestive disease, and some neurological disorders. Dr. Ermerling or Dr. Rausch inserts tiny needles at sensitive pressure points in your pet’s body that increase blood flow to reduce pain and inflammation.

Chiropractic Care

Before starting chiropractic care, our veterinarians observe how your pet normally stands and moves. They also look for areas of asymmetry by feeling your pet’s spine, bones, and joints and taking several X-rays to pinpoint problem areas. Once our veterinarians have this information, they perform a manual adjustment on your pet. Some dog breeds are more prone to developing pain from a maladjusted skeletal system. Basset Hounds, Corgis, and Dachshunds are just three examples.

Laser Therapy

Also known as photobiomodulation, low-level laser therapy, and red-light therapy, laser therapy is especially useful in treating conditions like osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease, and cellulitis. Laser therapy can also improve these conditions:

  • Infections
  • Nerve damage
  • Reduce scar tissue
  • Speed metabolism
  • Surgical and traumatic wound healing

Laser therapy directs targeted light toward the cellular level of your pet’s body to promote long-term pain relief.

Acupuncture, chiropractic care, and laser therapy are just three of several integrative therapies we offer for pain management in Lawrence, KS. Please contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment for your pet.

How to Improve Your Dog’s Dental Health

Many people consider their dogs as part of the family. That said, we care deeply for these pets. When a health issue pops up, we get it fixed right away. However, when it comes to your dog’s dental health, knowing what to do can be complicated.

In this article, we’ll discuss a few tips on how to improve your dog’s dental health.

Brush those teeth

While it might sound a bit strange, brushing your dog’s teeth is a fantastic way to improve their dental health! However, this is far easier said than done. Most dogs don’t enjoy having their teeth brushed, much like the experience when trimming nails. But just like nail trimming, brushing teeth can also be trained over time. Make sure to use a toothbrush and toothpaste designed specifically for dogs.

If this isn’t your dog’s favorite activity, you could also schedule a professional cleaning with a veterinarian.

Looking for pet dental care services in Lawrence, Kansas? If so, book an appointment with Gentle Care Animal Hospital today!

Find the right dog chews

Chances are, your dog loves chewing. That said, invest in some dental dog chews! This is an affordable, stress-free way to improve your dog’s dental health. Also, with hundreds of different dental chews on the market, you have plenty of options to choose from!

The act of chewing is beneficial, in and of itself, no matter what your furry friend is chewing on. However, using all-natural chews made from meat can take things up a notch. Many of these chews contain enzymes, which help to encourage strong dental health.

Feed them a dry-food diet

Although wet food can be very beneficial for your dog, dry food is better for their dental health. The large kibbles in this food help to remove plaque from their teeth, and the harder chewing creates more saliva—both of which are great for their teeth and gums.

Call our veterinarian in Lawrence, KS, today to schedule a pet dental care visit!