Pet Complementary Medicine

Using ancient wisdom, Eastern medical philosophy and other approaches that fall outside of the traditional Western medical model is referred to as complementary medicine.  At Kennebunk Veterinary Hospital, we use an integrative approach to health care that takes into account the whole animal and takes from all medical traditions that can benefit the specific patient. Complementary medicine modalities that we offer include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, therapeutic laser therapy, and nutritional counseling. We believe that by taking a holistic approach to pet health care, we can provide the best possible care for our patients.

Pet Acupuncture

We get regular questions about pet acupuncture, and want to address that specifically.  It is a safe and effective way to treat a variety of conditions in animals, including pain, inflammation, anxiety and a variety of other conditions. Pet acupuncture is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the insertion of hair thin needles into specific points on the body. The needles are usually left in place for 20-30 minutes. During this time, your pet will likely experience a sense of relaxation. Pet acupuncture is generally well tolerated by animals, and most pets do not experience any adverse side effects.  For some conditions, it can take multiple treatments for the therapeutic effect to be seen.  That’s why we offer packages of appointments at a discount to save money.

Pet Laser Therapy

Laser Therapy is FDA-approved and scientifically proven. Laser therapy puts substantial amounts of light energy exactly where it is needed to make meaningful changes at the cellular level.  This creates a cascade of beneficial effects, accelerating blood flow and cellular healing, decreasing inflammation, and reducing pain.  

If all it did were reduce pain, it would be a miracle for many pets with chronic conditions like osteoarthritis.  Many of our clients struggle to find a balance between the benefits of medication-based pain relievers and the long-term organ damage they can cause.  A drug-free alternative is a welcome medical advance.  

But it does so much more!  Whether speeding the healing of wounds and surgical incisions, reducing inflammation in an infected ear so the medicine can get where it is needed, or helping to reverse periodontal disease…  it is a game changer in the way we practice medicine.  

The laser we choose matters.  Knowing this, we did a full year of research and chose the CTS Duo Companion Therapeutic Laser.  It is the same Class IV laser used by the Boston Red Sox to speed healing, reduce inflammation, and get athletes back on the field—all the same things we want for our pets.