ROYAL OAK, Mich., May 25, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Michigan veterinarian Dr. John Simon is recommending holistic animal care services as an alternative to pet surgery. According to Dr. Simon, holistic pet care can help dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives. In dogs that are limping, for example, dietary supplements, pet acupuncture, and chiropractic care can reduce inflammation and help pets safely be active again without the need for pet surgery. Dr. Simon is encouraging pet owners to learn more about the benefits of holistic care as an alternative or complement to traditional veterinary care.
Pet owners who are considering orthopedic surgery for their pets may also wish to consider holistic animal care as an alternative, recommends Michigan veterinarian Dr. John Simon. With more than three decades of experience in holistic animal care, Dr. Simon is a leading advocate for alternative and complementary therapies.
Holistic vet care treatments include nutritional consultation, acupuncture, chiropractic care, botanical medicine, antioxidant therapy, plant enzyme therapy, laser therapy, gold bead embedding, homeopathy and low intensity laser stimulation, a form of acupuncture.
For older pets that are suffering from arthritis, including chronic pain and reduced mobility, Dr. Simon recommends a combination of holistic therapies as an alternative to orthopedic pet surgery.
"Orthopedic pet surgery is a serious undertaking with a lengthy recovery process," said Dr. Simon. "While orthopedic surgery is an appropriate treatment option for some pets, due to the lengthy recover period, the surgery can be especially difficult for older pets. For this reason, I recommend pet owners consider holistic treatments as an alternative."
According to Dr. Simon, pet holistic care programs that integrate nutritional supplements like fish oil, pet acupuncture and chiropractic care can successfully help pets become active again – averting the need for surgery and prescription painkillers.
"All holistic pet care programs are completely individualized to meet each pet's specific pain management and mobility needs," said Dr. Simon. "In many cases, we combine holistic care with conventional veterinary pet medicine. When used in harmony, holistic and conventional medicine offers the best of both worlds."
Holistic pet care may also be beneficial for pets that have been diagnosed with cancer, and can be used in combination with conventional therapies.
"When treating cancer in pets, I often combine holistic therapies with conventional medicine," said Dr. Simon. "In this case, conventional medicine acts as an important 'stop-gap' to limit the spread of cancer, while holistic medicine strengthens the immune system."
Dr. Simon is a leader in holistic pet care. In 1982, Dr. Simon became the first certified pet acupuncturist in Detroit. In the last three decades, Dr. Simon has continued to pioneer alternative veterinary treatments. Woodside Animal Hospital in Royal Oak provides conventional and holistic veterinary care for dogs and cats.