Advantages Of Veterinary Medicine

Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine

In the last couple of decades, a new form of veterinary medicine called CAVM has become increasingly popular. CAVM, or, complementary and alternative veterinary medicine refers to any practice that could be used in combination with regular western veterinary medicine. Other terms for this practice include holistic veterinary medicine, integrative veterinary medicine, or alternative veterinary medicine. While the origins of it are unclear, it can be in part, due to the Chinese thousands of years ago. They would practice Chinese medicine on animals in order to relieve pain and improve mobility. Other forms of complementary and alternative veterinary medicine did not become popular until the mid

Chiropractic work, much like human chiropractic work, involves manipulating the body of the animal and using a variety of hand movements in order to put certain body parts, muscles, and bones back into their correct locations. Acupuncture is the same for humans and animal alike. Both human and animal forms are used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, paralysis, help with asthma, diarrhea, certain reproductive problems, arthritis, and nonsurgical colic. Colic refers to a condition of severe abdominal discomfort characterized by pawing, rolling, attempting to bite where the pain is, and sometimes the inability to defecate. It is a disorder more commonly found in horses. If left untreated, it could lead to serious complications, and in some cases, death. Cold laser is another form of alternative medicine that uses a beam of light to stimulate damaged cells to produce more energy. The overall cellular function is increased, allowing for rapid absorption of nutrients, elimination of wastes, and reproduction of new cells (Cold Laser Therapy). It can help to increase mobility and ease pain in the treated areas. These alternative forms of medicine have been used by vets and certified personnel for a variety of reasons. According to an equine veterinarian, Mark Wooten at Nolensville Veterinary Hospital, “while the West is unsurpassed with treating

In one source, the author discusses how in some states, non-veterinarians are being fined for practicing alternative methods of medicine without a veterinary license (Schommer 43). This is because there is an unclear middle ground as to what is considered to be a veterinarian. The term ‘vet’ is an ever-changing professional title that is always evolving based on the current time and practices being developed. In 2009, complementary and alternative medicine was defined as a “group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine” and today it is defined as, “heterogeneous group of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic philosophies and practices. The theoretical bases and techniques of CAVM may diverge from veterinary medicine routinely taught in North American veterinary medical schools or may differ from current scientific knowledge, or both” (AVMA 1). Therefore, both terms are constantly changing depending on the times and the ever-changing and evolving veterinary medicine. This is important to consider because you want to make sure that whomever is practicing these complementary and alternative methods of veterinary medicine are qualified to do so. It is the same as if you were to go see