Compassion, care, clinical excellence
News March 2015 Acupuncture for Our Pets by Laura Binnie BVM&S, BSc, MRCVS The ancient art of acupuncture has been practiced for over 3000 years but is only recently becoming a much more accepted treatment option for our pets with chronic pain and other ailments. It can be used to minimise or even eliminate the animal’s need for pain relief and other medications, and importantly, their side effects. The act of acupuncture involves inserting a very fine, non-traumatic needle into predetermined acupuncture points and trigger points (‘knots’ in muscles that cause pain and are the result of tension or injury). This tricks the animal’s brain into preparing itself for some pain and trauma, when no trauma ensues and hence no pain is felt, this resets the pain level back to an acceptable intensity. This new stimulus out- competes with the ongoing chronic pain and can stop the brain recognising it as ‘pain’. In addition, ‘feel-good’ hormones are released by the animal’s central nervous system and these result in a feeling of well-being. We are running acupuncture clinics at Paragon for all dogs, cats and rabbits, and for those suffering from conditions such as chronic arthritis, non-healing wounds, lick granulomas and allergies. One of my favourite success stories is about an elderly Border Collie called Meg; she has had bad luck with her hips over the years and now suffers from chronic arthritis. Previously she has had her pain managed by anti inflammatory drugs and tramadol. This medication combination upset her gut and made her very drowsy. Since having her acupuncture sessions, which she pulls her owner into the building to attend, she is a lively and happy dog, and better still, she needs very little additional pain relief.
Contact us: PARAGON VETERINARY CENTRE Carlisle House, Townhead Road, Dalston,Carlisle, CA5 7JF Tel: 01228 710208 vets@paragonvet.com TOWNHEAD VETERINARY CENTRE Newbiggin, Stainton, Penrith, CA11 0HT Tel: 01768 483789 townhead@paragonvet.com LONDON ROAD SURGERY 87 London Road, Carlisle, CA1 2LG Tel: 01228 591005 pethealthcentre@paragonvet.com
For the month of March 2015 Paragon are offering an acupuncture ‘package’ discount, if you buy five sessions you’ll get one free. The first session will consist of our vet Laura Binnie taking a full clinical history, performing a full physical examination, filling out a questionnaire and the acupuncture session, it usually lasts 45 minutes. Subsequent sessions are shorter, lasting about 30 minutes.
PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP ONLINE Visit us at www.paragonvet.com or ‘like’ us on our facebook page www.facebook.com/ParagonVets.Pets
24 Hour Emergency Service
Cat Waiting Area
Pet Nutrition by Kelly Armstrong, Registered Veterinary Nurse
The correct nutrition for your pet is vital in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and to help keep them in the best condition possible. Not only is it care, very important that you feed your pet the correct diet, the amount Compassion, clinical excellence
of food you feed is also key to maintaining an ideal body condition score. Obesity is a common problem which can affect our pets, it does not only cause your pet to look larger than it should, it can cause serious health problems such as joint issues and potentially shorten your pets life. Here at Paragon we stock the Royal Canin food range for both dogs and cats. Royal Canin produce a wide variety of diets from kitten and puppy complete foods through to prescription diets designed to aid with treatment of certain conditions such as gastroenteritis.
We have a large selection of feline accessories including Rogz cat collars with quick release fasteners, also a nice selection of beds, bowls and toys - all located in our cat waiting area
Feeding your pet Puppies and Kittens will need to be fed on a specific puppy or kitten food as this food is higher in calories and specifically designed for growing youngsters. A good food will be one that is a complete food meaning everything they require in their diet will be in that food, so feeding other food stuffs on top of this such as any other human food means that they are not going to be getting a complete diet and potentially missing out on vital vitamins and elements crucial to healthy development. As our pets grow in to adults their dietary requirements will again change depending on their lifestyle. When pets are neutered too it is recommended we feed a less calorific food such as the Royal Canin Neutered range, which is a specifically designed diet low in calories. Royal Canin also produce wet and dry food designed for mature and senior pets which helps support aging cells and brain health as our pets get older. If you would like some information on the Royal Canin food range, a weight check for your pet or would like to some advice on what diet your pet should be getting, please give us a call or pop in and speak to one of our nurses.
Reflective Collars
PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP ONLINE Visit us at www.paragonvet.com or ‘like’ us on our facebook page www.facebook.com/ParagonVets.Pets
Kitten Collars