THE FINEST CARE FOR YOUR HORSE IN MAINE
Dr. Judd started studying veterinary acupuncture in 1989 after attending a lecture by Dr. Allen Schoen. Over the last 11 years while receiving regular acupuncture treatments himself, Dr. Judd used acupuncture to treat a variety of different animals, including horses, cattle, cats, dogs, rabbits, goats, and pigs. Animals are usually quite accepting of acupuncture treatment, and when used to complement western veterinary medicine, can be a very powerful healing tool.
Examples of problems that seem to respond especially well to traditional Chinese medicine would be musculoskeletal diseases such as arthritis, traumatic injuries like sprains, strains and pulls, back soreness and neck and shoulder injuries. Dermatologic disorders have shown nice responses to acupuncture. I have had good results with allergic skin disease in both dogs and horses. Good success has been seen with lick granulomas in dogs, a very frustrating syndrome where the dog will start licking an area (usually on the foreleg) until a non-healing ulcer forms.
Human acupuncture has a high success rate treating asthma, and we see similar results in treating some cases of heaves (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in horses and feline asthma. Dr. Judd has also had some recent experience working with behavioral problems in dogs and horses that has been quite rewarding.
Post operatively, acupuncture is very useful for treating pain, depressing and to speed healing of damaged tissues.
As in human acupuncture, veterinary acupuncture can be used to ease the stress associated with the change of seasons, and to help prepare an athlete for an event, two examples of the prophylactic use of this centuries old discipline.
There is no question that the beneficial effects of acupuncture are starting to be appreciated in modern western society, and that the powerful synergy of the two forms of medicine (eastern and western) has a lot to offer all of us and our companion and working animals.