PetTherapy Veterinary Acupuncture & Integrated Pain Management

13/07/2025

There’s so much advice out there about helping pets during a spell of hot weather, but it can be tough to know fact from fiction! 🤯

Our experts have busted the most common heatwave myths so that you can keep your pets safe and happy all summer long.

Check out more common myths, along with tips to protect your pets when temperatures rise: https://bit.ly/3IuEVfT

13/07/2025

Worth another share I'm sure...

There’s so much advice out there about helping pets during a spell of hot weather, but it can be tough to know fact from fiction! 🤯

Our experts have busted the most common heatwave myths so that you can keep your pets safe and happy all summer long.

Check out more common myths, along with tips to protect your pets when temperatures rise: https://bit.ly/3IuEVfT

10/07/2025

Chronic Diseases, also known as Non-Communicable Diseases, apply to any disease process of long duration and according to the World Health Organisation definition “result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors”.

In our pets the most common by far is osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the joints, ligaments and supporting tissues. However our pets can suffer from many other diseases such as allergic skin or ear problems, digestive or urinary issues, the list goes on…

As in the WHO definition, there is no one single cause, so of course one single treatment is never going to fix things. In the veterinary world we talk about a ‘multimodal approach’ which can and should involve lifestyle and exercise modification, diet and weight management, drug therapies and manual therapies such as acupuncture and physiotherapy. If your vet hasn’t already discussed these with you, ask them what else you can be doing to support your pet’s health.

My Recover programme aims to tie all the threads of chronic pain management together in a comprehensive support package - for more information head to https://www.pettherapyacupuncture.co.uk/services/the-recover-programme/ .

09/07/2025

Thank you to Phoenix Vets for hosting my weekly clinic so more pets can receive the benefits of acupuncture 🐾🐇🐕🐈

08/07/2025

01/07/2025

Today is which is a good opportunity to think about how we transport our pets, specifically car travel. Pets often become anxious in the car, and have you ever stopped to think about why? Here are three reasons which could be at play, and what to do about them:

*OVERHEATING*
Pets have limited ways of keeping cool and a being in a vehicle makes this difficult:
-> NEVER leave a pet in a car alone even for a short time on a warm day.
-> Keep journeys as short as possible, going directly from A to B when your pet is in the car.
-> Make full use of AC and remember it may not reach the boot. Cool mats or an ice pack wrapped in a towel can be placed under cat or small pet carriers.
-> Use window shades and stop for regular comfort breaks and drinking opportunities.

*PAIN OR DISCOMFORT*
If your pet has known or unknown joint disease or back problems the journey may cause considerable discomfort.

-> Use a ramp or steps to help dogs get into or out of the car.
-> If they are in the boot, loose or in a crate ensure they have a high sided, snug and supportive bed so they are not bracing themselves or tensing sore muscles as they go around corners or over bumps (see for great supportive beds)
-> If they are on a seat the Highway Code states motorists need to ensure dogs are “suitably restrained” while travelling in the car - this can be a good quality harness which attaches to the seat or seatbelt, or consider purchasing this amazing CarCube from the https://bigdogbedcompany.co.uk/products/new-car-cube-dog-seat
-> Cats and small pets likewise need a non-slip secure surface an snug area inside their carrier to prevent them from sliding around every time a corner is taken.

*TRAVEL SICKNESS OR ANXIETY*
Some pets will regularly vomit on a car journey which is not fun for anyone. This can be a true motion sickness or may be linked to significant anxiety related to car journeys.
-> Speak to your vet about medications that can help
-> Avoid a large meal less than 2 hours prior to travelling.
-> Seek accredited behaviourist advice to acclimatise your pet to travelling if you have to do so often.

30/06/2025

Does your veterinary practice need to know more about acupuncture?

While gaining in popularity with pet owners seeking treatment for their pets, many vets are not offering acupuncture to clients. Why not?

In my experience it is often not as simple as ‘they don’t believe in it’:
- Acupuncture is not taught in veterinary schools so vets may be unaware of its benefits
- Vets may be unsure how it actually works and therefore reluctant to recommend it
- They may think of it as a ‘last resort’ pain relief option instead of thinking about it early in a disease process, or understand how it can help in many other neurological and chronic inflammatory disease processes

If you know a vet or practice who is curious and would like to know more, let them know I offer a free lunchtime CPD session on acupuncture so they can be confident in recommending it to their patients (East Midlands area only). Get in touch on [email protected]

24/06/2025

Although dogs do make up the majority of my patients, as today is I thought it apt to remind you that cats can have acupuncture too! While some (like my own) are not keen you may be surprised how many cats will tolerate it, and as they are definitely the poor relations when it comes to pain management I am passionate about letting people know it is out there.

Acupuncture can help with various neurological conditions in cats as well as pain management for arthritis and spondylosis, so get in touch if you’d like to learn more about how it can help!

20/06/2025

As we hit a record temperature-setting summer solstice I just wanted to remind you of the negative effects that warm weather can have on our pets.

Elderly or very young pets, or those with chronic health conditions such as BOAS (i.e. flat- faced breeds) often find it difficult to regulate their body temperature effectively and are therefore subject to heat stress even in relatively moderate temperatures.

My top tips are:
- Do not walk dogs in temperatures over 20 degrees - but keep in mind that every pet is different and some dogs may struggle with even 17-18 degree weather.
- Avoid the middle part of the day and monitor their pace - if they seem slower than usual they are telling you they need a break.
-On warm days place your hand on the pavement in full sun for 5 seconds - if it’s uncomfortable then it’s too warm for doggy paws
- Use a pet-safe sunscreen on pets with thin skin or pale fur especially noses, ears and tummies.
- Provide plenty of shade options both in and out of the house, ensure beds are not lying in full sun indoors.
- Use paddling pools and fans to keep your pets cool, provide iced treats (eg frozen stuffed Kong) and add ice to water bowls.
- Avoid car journeys on hot days if possible and NEVER leave a pet unattended in a vehicle on a sunny day
- Remember small pets - they need shade too!
- Educate yourself on the signs of heat stress and seek urgent veterinary advice if you think your pet may have heat stress.

13/06/2025

I'm back in the learning zone this week at BVA Live in Birmingham, learning about new innovations in testing and treatments, plus refreshing my knowledge of common diseases.

There is so much I learned as a vet in general practice over nearly 20 years but my work is so focused on pain management these days - it's been good to remind myself how much I do know about liver disease, hormonal disease, cardiology and opthalmology. Primary care really is broad and I have immense respect for my GP vet colleagues who are keeping up to date with the evidence and guiding pet owners on vital decisions every day