Alternative pain management modalities for pets in Mumbai
Some of us have pets who have been diagnosed with arthritis or hip dysplasia and can completely relate to the pain that comes with it. Remember those mornings when your pet is struggling to stand up and it breaks your heart?
Our pets cannot often communicate how much in pain they are and to watch them struggle does leave us feeling helpless.
Most of us then proceed to our vets and are given painkillers which provide a fair amount of relief but we are left asking, if this is a life long condition, how much of pain medication can I possibly keep my pet on without experiencing side effects?
Keeping this in mind, a lot of enterprising vets in Mumbai have now learnt alternate pain management techniques. These are more holistic ways of keeping that pain at bay without the side effects of traditional allopathic medication.
If you are worried about your pets' arthritis becoming a long term cause of discomfort, you may want to consider one of these other methods to help with the pain and improve mobility.
Which modalities are available and how do they help with pain management?
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture is not just pins and needles!
Acupuncture is a modality that developed in China over 200 years ago and involves insertion of fine needles in specific points on the body for the purpose of eliciting a physiologic response to treat a disease or condition. Modern research and studies in the US have ascertained that medical acupuncture indeed assists in management of pain.
When done right by a qualified professional, acupuncture can help control pain, inflammation and also influence more delicate biochemical processes.
Acupuncture not only finds a place in pain management to help pets with arthritis, IVDD (spinal problems) but can also be used for a number of other conditions such neurological weakness, paraplegia etc.
2. TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
A TENS unit works by sending stimulating pulses across the surface of the skin and along the nerve strands. The stimulating pulses help prevent pain signals from reaching the brain.
TENS units also help stimulate the body to produce higher levels of its own natural painkillers, called endorphins.
3. NMES (Neuro-Muscular Electrical Stimulation)
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is the use of small electrical currents to stimulate the contraction of muscles.
In some paralysis cases, NMES is able to speed nerve healing and the reconnection process. It may also be used to aid in pain management or to help reduce swelling or edema.
4. Ultrasound Therapy For Pets
You do know how ultrasounds are used to diagnose various disease conditions in animals. But what you probably don’t know (unless you’ve experienced this for yourself), is that ultrasound therapy can actually even be used to help with pain management.
When using therapeutic ultrasound, sound waves pass through the skin which causes a vibration within the surrounding tissues. This vibration is heat-producing and penetrates deep into injured tissues.
Ultrasound therapy thus increases circulation and blood flow to the affected area which aids in decreasing pain.
5. Hydrotherapy
Canine Hydrotherapy involves the use of swimming and under water treadmills directed at the treatment of the chronic conditions, post operative recovery and general fitness in dogs. It's also a great form of exercise and can help with weight loss!!
The principle behind hydrotherapy, is that the buoyancy of water makes the patient feel weightless. This alleviates pain. The resistance of water forces the pet to work harder against it, thus strengthening their muscles.
It effectively helps improve gait and posture, helps patients who have had orthopaedic surgery and can help relieve pain in pets with hip and elbow dysplasia, arthritis etc.
Where can you find these services in Mumbai?
AcuVet Veterinary Speciality Clinic (Dadar)
Dr. Akshay Shah is the dynamic, resourceful vet behind Acuvet Veterinary Speciality.
Having graduated from Bombay Veterinary College in 2013 and completed his Masters in Pathology from the same institute, he has practiced traditional small animal medicine for over 7 years. His passion and love for animals led him to search for more effective and less invasive treatments for his patients, especially those suffering from chronic pain. Pursuing this interest, he obtained certification for Veterinary Acupuncture from CHI University Florida and is actively practising medical acupuncture as a means of pain relief for pets along with treating other ailments with the same.
He states that acupuncture can also be used to treat asthma, allergies, bladder problems and can also go as far as being palliative care for cancer patients. He has successfully put this modality to use for all these conditions. He also provides services such as TENS, NEMS, Ultrasound therapy.
Dr. Akshay Shah says, “I believe in offering a dedicated service in a holistic manner by avoiding the use of antibiotics and painkillers.”
With this in mind he also went on to obtain certification in Bach Flower Therapy from Bach Foundation (United Kingdom). Further he gained a degree in Veterinary Homeopathy and is probably the First Certified Veterinary Homeopath In Mumbai City.
Get in touch:
AcuVet Veterinary Speciality Clinic
5A/5B, Shram Sadhana, Dr. D.V. Pradhan Road, Hindu colony Lane - 1,
Dadar East, Mumbai 400014
Contact No: 7506406464
Website: www. acuvet.in
Social media: @acuvetindia
Pet Physio Pro (Santacruz)
Dr. Pranjal Nadkarni aspired to be a pet physiotherapist from her formative years when she saw this lacunae in pet rehabilitation and pain management in India.
After completing her B. V. Sc. & A. H. degree from Mumbai Veterinary college, She set course on this path and further specialised as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist from Canine Rehabilitation Institute, Florida and Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist from CuraCore, Colorado. She comes armed with over 5 years of experience in general medicine and physical therapy for dogs as well as cats. She also has a special interest in avian and exotic physical rehabilitation.
She went on to found Pet Physio Pro: India’s first standalone physiotherapy & gym facility.
She has dedicated this facility solely to a holistic improvement in the quality of life of young, old and injured pets alike & their overall wellbeing.
Along with providing services for medical acupuncture, TENS, NEMS, therapeutic ultrasound and hydrotherapy, Pet Physio Pro also believes in complete care and provides Cold laser therapy, therapeutic exercises and medical massage which all help with pain management, joint mobility, rehabilitation post orthopedic surgeries and patients with hip dysplasia.
They also concentrate on Bone and muscle health in younger pets from as early as 5 months of age, with tailored exercise regimens at their Animal Gym and Fitness Centre.
Dr. Pranjal Nadkarni professes that she is happy to have helped rehabilitate over 200 patients in the first year of founding Pet Physio Pro.
Get in touch:
Pet Physio Pro
Shop No. 3 & 4, Ground Floor, New Diamond Palace, Opposite Makhija House,
Chapel Lane, Santacruz (West), Mumbai- 400054
Call/WhatsApp: +919326203709
Website: www.petphysiopro.com
Email: petphysiopro@gmail.com
Social media: @petphysiopro
Super Pets (Khar)
SuperPets Aqua-Physio Fitness Centre is the vision and brain child of Dr. Nikita Pujari. She holds the degrees of M.Vsc. and Dip. Ani. Phys from UK.
Her calm demeanour wins over many a pets’ hearts. With expertise in the field of rehabilitation, she has founded SuperPets and aspires to offer the best and widest range of physical therapy.
SuperPets Aqua-Physio Fitness works upon various medical, orthopedic and neurological conditions to provide complimentary support therapies which include but are not limited to, modalities like Class 4 laser, e-stim, hydrotherapy, therapeutic ultrasound , acupuncture, remedial massage, manual therapy and passive and active movement etc.
Dr. Nikita Pujari states that, "The combination of therapies change from condition to condition and the individually tailored rehabilitation programme aims to help with improved mobility and movement, pain management and optimum quality of life of our furry kids."
SuperPets also has a fully functioning state of the art, busy clinical practice and provide regular consultation, surgical and diagnostic services for pets. Their team is dedicated to providing complete care to pets.
Get in touch:
SuperPets Small Animal Clinic and Aqua-Physio Fitness Centre
Shop No 2, Calvary Apartment, Dr Ambedkar Road, Khar West, Mumbai 400052.
Contact no: 9821112746, 8082602659
Email: dr.superpets@gmail.com
Social media: @superpetsvet
Blue Cross Vets (Kharghar)
People of Navi Mumbai, there are vets who will cater to the needs of your pets as well. This team of committed and passionate vets provide the service of hydrotherapy.
Blue Cross Vets Clinic currently provide rehabilitation in the form of hydrotherapy for small and medium breed dogs and also boast of having an under water treadmill.
Dr. Mastakar affirms that hydrotherapy is gaining popularity all over the world as pet owners are now seeking alternatives to medical management for long term pain and as a type of rehabilitation for their pets inside a pool or with help of underwater treadmill.
She further states that every dog is not a natural swimmer and not all of them are suitable for hydrotherapy, hence an in-depth physical exam is always necessary and it should be performed by a trained vet hydrotherapist only.
Dr. Esha and Dr. Nikita have their own one of a kind small animal and exotic practice. They also have an amazing facility with various other diagnostic and surgical services.
Get in touch:
BLUE CROSS VETS CLINIC
G-115/116,sector-12,behind Nimisha hospital. Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210.
Contact No: 8169067671
Email- bluecrossvetsclinic@gmail.com
Social Media: @bluecrossvetsclinic
Veterinary science is constantly evolving to make the best available for our beloved four legged family members and this is one such step in that direction.
Having access to these wonderful vets and their facilities is indeed going to be a boon for many pets and pet parents who prefer holistic methods over medication to alleviate their pets’ pain. After all, that is what all passionate vets strive to achieve.
Keeping pain away,
Dr. N
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