Complementary treatment, or therapy for pets is growing in popularity. As the name would suggest, it complements traditional medicine and veterinary care. It is not covered by all pet insurance providers, so it’s worth checking the coverage details before you commit to a plan.
Benefits of complementary treatment for dogs and cats
Complementary treatments or therapy are non-invasive methods used to help manage conditions through movement, water, lasers, and more. They are commonly used before, during, or after surgery.
The kind of complementary treatment carried out by or performed under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian can include:
- Acupuncture
- Hydrotherapy
- Physical Therapy
- Chiropractic
- Therapeutic laser treatment
- Chiropractic Treatment
Pets can suffer from achey joints and bad backs too, so veterinary chiropractic care focuses on aligning your pet’s nervous system. A pet chiropractor uses low-force manual manipulation to gently align muscles and bones to reduce discomfort and promote body harmony from the inside out. This can include treating:
- Neck & back injuries
- Hip dysplasia
- Subluxations
- Stiffness
- Osteoarthritis
- Repetitive-use injuries
- Post-surgery recovery
- Forelimb lameness
- Urinary incontinence
- Acupuncture
Specially trained vets now offer acupuncture for dogs and cats. This involves placing small needles into specific points of the pet’s body to release chemicals that promote healing and pain relief. Veterinary acupuncture can be used to treat:
- Minor sports injuries
- Seizures
- Symptoms of cancer treatment
- Allergies
- Musculoskeletal conditions (such as arthritis & IVDD)
- Skin conditions
- Respiratory issues (such as asthma)
- Gastrointestinal problems (including irritable bowel disorder)
Therapeutic laser treatment
Pet laser therapy, sometimes called cold laser therapy, uses red and near-infrared light to promote the regeneration of damaged cells. The healing effects of laser treatment for pets can last up to several months and can be used to treat:
- Soft-tissue trauma
- Back pain
- Post-surgery recovery
- Muscle, ligament & tendon injuries
- Ear infections
- IVDD
- Arthritis & hip dysplasia
- Gingivitis
- Anal gland infections
- Hot spots & open wounds
Hydrotherapy
This treatment uses water resistance to increase muscle strength and range of motion without the impact of hard ground. Dog swimming rehabilitation is used to treat:
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-surgery recovery
- Hip & elbow dysplasia
- IVDD & paralysis
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Muscle atrophy
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy for pets, also called physical therapy, is used to help with pain and improve quality of life. It uses heat treatment, mobility devices and exercise methods instead of drugs or surgery. Pet rehabilitation helps with conditions including:
- Arthritis
- Post-surgery recovery
- Hip & elbow dysplasia
- Sore/bruised muscles
- Muscle strains, spasms, & atrophy
- Muscle, ligament, & tendon injuries
Do pet insurance companies cover complementary treatments?
Most pet insurance companies will charge you extra for complementary treatment coverage under a wellness plan or similar. However, Paw Protect pet insurance covers complementary treatments on every policy at no additional cost when used to treat a covered accident or illness.