PetTherapy Veterinary Acupuncture & Integrated Pain Management

30/11/2025

We are coming to the end of Pet Cancer Awareness Month.

Cancer accounts for around half of all dog deaths worldwide according to one study (1) and controlling the pain associated with cancer can be challenging due to metabolic and nervous system changes producing the sprouting of new nerve endings, increased sensitivity of pain receptors in the tissues and increased sensitivity of the central pain systems.

For this reason it is often good to get specialist advice if your pet is struggling with cancer pain.

Acupuncture can target these dysfunctional nerve pathways so is a great option to add into the mix to help improve a pet’s comfort in their final weeks.

(1) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9798575/

28/11/2025

If you are in the south Notts area I highly recommend popping over to Gamston to the incredible illuminations at resident David Carter's house, there is Christmas music, and he collects donations for the RSPCA at which is not centrally funded so relies entirely on local donations.
More details can be find in the local press.
🎄🎁⛄

28/11/2025

From consuming to giving....

https://greenfriday.org.uk/green-friday/

There is a growing movement to boycott Black Friday. Read to see why Green Friday is taking over!

27/11/2025

Badger was first seen for treatment for suspected disc disease (IVDD) in late 2023 when the owners noticed the 3 yr old Dachshund was withdrawing, yelping when picked up and has lost control of her back legs. Crate rest was making her miserable and her owners, not wanting to put her through surgery, were at a loss as to what to do next when a friend suggested acupuncture. Within a couple of treatments there was no more yelping and she had found her place in the family again - the problem was now stopping her from leaping on the sofas! She had 2 months of treatments before she was signed off with no residual signs except a very minor hindlimb weakness. Badger has had two more bouts of back pain (when she has overdone it despite her owners' best efforts) and both times a topup of 2-3 acupuncture sessions has got her back on track 😁🐾

25/11/2025

I just wanted to shout out to all the responsible, ethical dog breeders out there on who are working to improve the health and welfare of their breed.

Sadly not all breeders are like that, but hopefully with increasing public awareness of the health issues facing brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds of dogs and cats, plus other breeds who have been bred for aesthetics over health, demand for healthier pets will increase.

Search out a responsible breeder with the following information:
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog/are-you-ready/finding-a-good-breeder/
https://www.gccfcats.org/breeding-cats/the-experienced-breeder/breeder-scheme/

ALWAYS visit a puppy or kitten in their home and if you have any doubts about the conditions they are being kept in or the temperament of the parents - walk away!! Otherwise you are rewarding bad practice and nothing will improve. You as a consumer have the power!

23/11/2025

Hopefully if you are a poultry keeper like myself you are aware of the ever climbing cases numbers of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, or bird flu) in the UK this year - we have had more cases this winter already than the whole of the 24/25 season 😥

Larger flocks (50+ birds) are under a mandatory housing order (aka flockdown) and the rest of us should be maintaining strict biosecurity measures to avoid aiding the spread of this disease which killed many thousands of wild seabirds and wiped out many commercial flocks in the past few years.

Keep up to date here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/deleted-bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england

21/11/2025

20/11/2025

Cookie here was struggling with her mobility and although still eating well would rarely leave her hutch, she was frequently soiled on her back end and despite being on painkillers her mum was concerned the winter weather might be too much for her 😥

So she thought she'd like to see if acupuncture could help give Cookie a boost.

We never make any promises but I'm happy to say that four sessions later and Cookie is venturing into her run everyday, her back end is dry and she has been lying stretched out instead of hunched up for the first time in many months. 😍 🐰

We plan to continue weekly sessions up to Christmas and then see if she can cope with fortnightly maintenance sessions.

18/11/2025

I have mentioned this before but as the risks are high and ongoing I want to highlight again the problem of illegally imported vet medicines being sold on social media platforms:

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) who authorise the sale and marketing of veterinary medicines in the UK are highlighting the high number of these posts, which may lead to owners being scammed or harmful products being received. Just a quick look at the seizures notices on the gov.uk website shows the shocking number of illegal importations occurring every month - and these are just the ones who get caught!! (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/illegal-animal-medicines-seizures-improvement-notices-and-prosecutions/seizure-notices).

Although many pet owners are understandably trying to find ways to cut their vet bills, illegally sourced medicines are NOT the answer and may lead to real harm for your pet! Not only may they be fake/counterfeit products, but even with genuine medicines there may be subtle differences in products produced in the UK and overseas that may mean they are inappropriate or potentially harmful to your pet.

There are two safe ways to source animal medicines in the UK:

1) Directly from your veterinary surgeon - who can advise on dosing, what to do if your pet doesn’t take it, prescribe effective alternatives and help you manage any unwanted side effects

2) From an online pharmacy with a prescription signed by your vet - licensed pharmacies carry the VMD accredited retailer mark.

10/11/2025

Today is World Animal Enrichment Day - what is that all about?
Animals, like humans, have social and behavioural needs which are recognised in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 - and as pet owners we have a legal obligation to provide for these, and 'enrich' their lives beyond the basic physical necessities for survival.

In my animal care talks for children, we discuss these needs for themselves: children do not thrive in social isolation, or without access to the opportunity to play. These things are not optional, they are vital for their essential development and wellbeing.

Dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, etc are not humans but they still need these aspects of their lives to thrive - and importantly each of their needs differ: you need to educate yourself on whether your pet species prefers to live in company or be alone, what they need in their environment to feel safe, secure and yes: happy!

Ideally you would educate yourself on these matters *before* you obtain your pet, to ensure you have the means to provide what they need!

The PDSA have a great quiz to get you started at https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/choosing-a-pet

Photo credit: cats on shelf by Petra Richli on Adobe Stock, rabbit in tunnel by Rahim Sof on Unsplash

08/11/2025

I'm wearing my Purple Poppy this week to remember all the animals who have served and saved lives in our man-made conflicts over the centuries 😥🐾