Contributed by Dr Laura Brisbane-Cohen, BVMS(Hons), CVA, CVCH
As a veterinarian with a special interest in integrative treatments, I don't believe in choosing between conventional and integrative medicine. Instead, I look at the whole patient and ask: what combination of treatments is most likely to help this pet? Sometimes that's surgery. Sometimes medication. Sometimes rehabilitation or acupuncture. And often, it's a combination.
When we think about veterinary medicine, we often picture medications, blood tests, X-rays and surgery. These are incredibly important tools that can save lives and dramatically improve our pets' health.
But sometimes, these tools aren't enough and that's where integrative veterinary medicine comes in.
Acupuncture: tiny needles, a bigger purpose
Acupuncture uses very fine, sterile needles placed at specific points on the body to help influence the nervous system and pain pathways. Some veterinarians also use electroacupuncture, which applies gentle electrical stimulation through the needles.
For pets, acupuncture is commonly used alongside other treatments to support pain, mobility and recovery, including conditions such as osteoarthritis, chronic pain and some neurological problems.1,2 It can also be incorporated into rehabilitation following surgery or injury.
Importantly, acupuncture isn't about replacing medication when medication is needed. It can simply be another tool. A dog with arthritis, for example, may benefit from appropriate pain relief, weight management, exercise, rehabilitation and acupuncture, all working together.
Food is part of the treatment plan
Nutrition is another powerful, and sometimes overlooked, part of veterinary care. Food therapy isn't about homemade diets or "miracle" ingredients. It's about asking whether nutrition can support an individual pet's specific health goals.
For a pet with arthritis, maintaining a healthy body weight is one of the most important things we can do to reduce stress on painful joints. Appropriate diets and nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids may also form part of a joint-management plan.
For other pets, nutrition may be tailored around digestive problems, kidney disease, allergies or maintaining healthy muscle as they age.
Good nutrition and regular, appropriate movement go hand in hand, helping pets maintain strength, mobility and a healthy body condition throughout life.
Herbal medicine: natural doesn't mean risk-free
Herbal medicine uses carefully selected plant-based ingredients as part of a veterinary treatment plan. Depending on the individual pet and formulation, herbs may be used to support areas such as pain and inflammation, digestive health or general wellbeing.3
But here's an important misconception, natural doesn't automatically mean safe.
Herbs can interact with medications and may not be suitable for pets with certain medical conditions. Product quality, dosage and sourcing matter too. That's why herbal medicine should be selected and monitored by a veterinarian who understands both conventional medications and herbal treatments.
The best treatment plan is the one that's right for your pet
Perhaps the biggest misconception about integrative medicine is that it's anti-medication, anti-surgery or anti-science. It isn't.
A pet with a cruciate ligament injury will do better with surgery. A cat with a urinary obstruction needs urgent medical care, not an herbal remedy.
But once the immediate problem is addressed, could rehabilitation support recovery? Could nutrition help maintain a healthy body condition? Could acupuncture or carefully selected herbal medicine support comfort and quality of life?
That's where integrative medicine comes in.
The best treatment plan isn't the one with the most therapies. It's the one that's individualised, evidence-informed and appropriate for the pet in front of us.
The goal isn't to choose between conventional and integrative medicine. It's to use every appropriate tool in the toolbox to help our pets live healthier, more comfortable and more active lives.
Dr Laura Brisbane-Cohen
BSc, BVMS(Hons), MVPH-EAD, CVA, CVCH, CCRP (resident), CVNN (resident)
Dr Laura graduated from Murdoch University in 2006 and has spent over 20 years in practice across Australia, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Shanghai and New York. She has a particular interest in pain management and rehabilitation.
Founder and Veterinary Medical Director, VetMotion Animal Wellness
Resident Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Veterinarian at Beecroft Animal Specialist & Emergency Hospital
References
1. Rose, W.J., Sargeant, J.M., Hanna, W.J.B., Kelton, D., Wolfe, D.M. & Wisener, L.V. (2017). A scoping review of the evidence for efficacy of acupuncture in companion animals. Animal Health Research Reviews, 18(2), 177 to 185. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1466252317000068
2. Baker-Meuten, A., Wendland, T., Shamir, S.K., Hess, A.M. & Duerr, F.M. (2020). Evaluation of acupuncture for the treatment of pain associated with naturally-occurring osteoarthritis in dogs: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded clinical trial. BMC Veterinary Research, 16, 357. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02567-1
3. Moreau, M., Lussier, B., Pelletier, J.P., Martel-Pelletier, J., Bédard, C., Gauvin, D. & Troncy, E. (2014). A medicinal herb-based natural health product improves the condition of a canine natural osteoarthritis model: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Research in Veterinary Science, 97(3), 574 to 581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2014.09.011
From the Woof Living team
What this means when you're shopping
We are not a clinic and we cannot tell you what your pet needs. What we can do is be clear about how we choose what sits on our shelves, because Dr Brisbane-Cohen's point about herbs applies just as much to supplements.
Bring your vet into the conversation
The single most useful thing you can do before starting any supplement is tell your vet what you are giving your pet, including anything herbal. This matters most if your pet is already on medication, has a diagnosed condition, or is due for surgery.
If you are already seeing a vet for a specific issue, ask whether a supplement fits the plan they have in mind rather than working around it. That is a short conversation and it avoids the interaction problem described above.
How we choose what we stock
All of the supplement brands we carry are either formulated or reviewed by a veterinarian, or personally trialled and vetted by our own team on their own dogs. We prioritise brands who can speak clearly to how and why a product was developed.
Beyond that, we look for full ingredient disclosure rather than proprietary blends, clear dosing by body weight, and manufacturers who will answer questions about where ingredients come from. Where a brand cannot answer those questions, we do not carry it.
Acupuncture in Singapore
Owners ask us about this more often than they used to. Veterinary acupuncture here is performed by licensed veterinarians who have completed additional certification in it, and it is usually offered alongside a wider treatment plan rather than on its own. If it is something you are considering, your regular vet is the right starting point, and they can refer you if it suits your pet's situation.
You can browse our range in the Supplements collection, or come and talk to us at Wheelock Place. Free delivery applies on orders above $49 in Singapore.
This article is general information and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If you are concerned about your pet, please consult your own vet.
