LAS VEGAS, Sept. 6, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Cathy Berquist of All About Cats Veterinary Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, recently added a new service for cats to the list of available treatments – acupuncture. Acupuncture treatment isn't meant to replace pain management or disease related treatments for the cats the veterinary hospital serves, but to complement the regular medicine treatments taking place. Dr. Berquist has learned about the latest techniques and tools to integrate western and eastern medicine in order to offer effective acupuncture treatment to the clinics patients.
All About Cats Veterinary Hospital veterinarian, Dr. Cathy Berquist, recently attended a conference presented by the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture to learn more about the practice and how to bring the benefits it provides to feline patients of the All About Cats Veterinary Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. "This conference was particularly of interest because it brought eastern and western medicine together for a science based approach to acupuncture."
"Acupuncture has been used to treat horses and cattle since ancient times in countries like China and Korea," says Dr. Berquist, who went on to say, "Though other areas of the world have been relatively slow to embrace the practice for their animals. Acupuncture has become so widely accepted in recent years that zoos around the world are beginning to use it to treat their animals as well."
Household pets, like cats, also receive acupuncture to help treat a wide range of conditions. These conditions include skin problems, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory problems, pain relief, urinary health, fatigue and even behavioral disorders. Felines who have cancer also benefit greatly from acupuncture as it can help relieve many of the symptoms associated with the condition and the treatment.
Acupuncture involves inserting thin, long, sterile needles into certain pressure points according to the specific conditions. This releases chemicals within the brain, muscles and along the spinal cord that change how the body interprets pain and can influence organ health.
"The insertion of the needles involves little, if any pain, and is often very relaxing," says Dr. Berquist, "So much so that many cats will fall asleep during the treatment."
While there are no specific medical side effects to the treatment, Dr. Berquist advises that cats may seem extremely relaxed – almost lethargic in the aftermath of the treatment. Cat owners should not be alarmed by this.
To celebrate the addition of acupuncture to the practice, All About Cats Veterinary Hospital is offering a special that includes the initial exam and consultations along with the first three acupuncture treatments for $199.
All About Cats Veterinary Hospital is located on Durango Drive in Las Vegas and offers a wide range of services for cats including wellness care, surgical treatments, vaccinations, reproductive health services, dental services, behavioral counseling, nutritional health, boarding, grooming, and, now, acupuncture.