Project Description
Animal pain doesn’t have to be endured. Enhance your pet’s well-being and quality of life.
Animal pain, as in humans, is subjective – visible signs are often hard to measure and vary greatly from pet to pet. Charter Vets offer tailor made pain management plans to suit your pet’s needs.
Charter Vets Pain and Mobility Clinic delivers a tailor made approach to the management of chronic animal pain.
Our pain and mobility clinics are run and designed by Dave Tittle BVetMed CertVA MRCVS GPCert(WVA&CPM) – GP Certificate in Western Veterinary Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management MRCVS RCVS Advanced Practitioner Veterinary Anaesthesia.
Dave is also a member of the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists and the Western Veterinary Acupuncture Group. He firmly believes we should maximise the provision of adequate animal pain relief.
When to consider our Pain and Mobility Clinic:
Pain and mobility management in geriatric patients
Recovery from orthopaedic surgery and/or neurological injury
Pain with no identified source
When conventional medications are not sufficient or poorly tolerated
When owners feel they need more support or wonder “what else can we do”
The initial referral consultation will provide an in-depth assessment of the animal pain requirements, as well as addressing any concerns and expectations you have. This will form the basis of a bespoke, targeted pain management plan which will include an overview of current pain relief, possible changes to medication, acupuncture, hydrotherapy and environmental or lifestyle changes.
Assessment is available via referral from your pet’s regular veterinary surgeon – click here for information on how to make a referral to Charter Vets
Acupuncture for your pet
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practise of inserting fine, solid needles into the body for pain relief or, in some cases, to help the body manage other diseases. Legally, acupuncture carried out on animals must be performed by a suitably qualified Veterinary Surgeon.
How does it work?
Acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system. The needles block the pain messages and encourage the brain and central nervous system to produce more of the body’s natural painkillers. In conditions that are not painful, acupuncture may help to reset the body’s normal functioning. After examination, needles will be placed into specific points of the body and moved or stimulated a number of times. Unlike conventional medications there is not a set “dose” of acupuncture, so acupuncturists judge how much to administer based on your pet’s response, both at the time and after the treatment. Sometimes we may utilise electro-acupuncture if this is deemed suitable for your pets condition.
Will my pet feel discomfort?
Acupuncture needles stimulate nerves that do not cause the unpleasant feelings of pain that we are trying to treat. They stimulate other nerves that send a more important message to the brain, which is how they block pain. Sometimes animals may react to this sensation as though they are expecting pain, but then relax because it does not occur. Most of the time they accept the fine needles very well and often become relaxed and sleepy during the treatment. Often they appear to look forward to the next treatment when they come back to the practice.
It is important to highlight, that when acupuncture is offered in the Pain and Mobility Clinics at Charter Vets, it is as a compliment to conventional medicine and techniques.
We utilise acupuncture as part of a multimodal approach to pain management and rehabilitation.
Dave Tittle BVetMed CertVA MRCVS, RCVS Advanced Practioner in Veterinary Anaesthesia
Prices:
Pain and Mobility Clinic referral consultation: £150
Pain and Mobility Clinic subsequent consultation: £75
Acupuncture per session: £51.25
Frequently Asked Questions about our animal pain clinics
FAQs about acupuncture for pets and the animal acupuncture process and experience
Intensive care
Whatever the time of day or night, if your pets needs intensive care, we are there to provide it. Charter Vets have two veterinary hospitals so rest assured, our nurses are on-site 24 hours a day to look after your pet’s needs.
Pain & Mobility Clinics
Pain is subjective - visible signs are often hard to measure and vary greatly from pet to pet. Charter Vets offer tailor made pain management plans to suit your pet's needs.
Pet Dentistry
We provide dentistry for pets using equipment you would recognise from your own dentists’ surgery. We are also one of the few facilities in Devon that offers dental radiography.
Hydrotherapy
Our hydrotherapy unit allows your pet to benefit from buoyancy-assisted exercise in warm water - a gentle and supportive way for your dog to exercise while recuperating from injury or illness.
Diagnostics
No matter how thorough our vets are, some diagnoses require more than just a physical examination alone. We offer an extensive range of diagnostics to find out why your pet is ill.
Nurse Clinics
Behind every good vet, there's an even better nurse. Our experienced team of veterinary nurses can give you helpful advice and care on a wide range of services.
Professional Pet Care
Pet owners trust us to look after the needs of their beloved companions. We are committed to delivering the very highest of veterinary care and affection.