As any devoted pet owner will tell you, they are willing to do anything within their means to alleviate their pet’s discomfort or suffering should the pet fall ill. After all for many of us, a pet is part of the family and we should take care of them the best we can.
When my Juliet developed arthritis last month, I was very bothered and worried as I know there’s no cure for arthritis. It just has to be treated and managed, kept under control. Of course the first thing I did was bring Juliet to the vet where she was prescribed painkillers and glucosamine. However, there had to be something more I could do for her and that was when I remembered something I read years ago. I could take Juliet for acupuncture and there is only one certified veterinary acupuncturist in Malaysia, Dr Susanna Brida-Hofherr. Dr Susanna is the founder of Asia Paws based in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, she is certified under the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in the United States.
Dr Susanna has been in veterinary practice since 1994. She has a unique perspective in that she is both a conventional veterinary surgeon and a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine practitioner.
Asia Paws is Malaysia’s first dedicated holistic, natural veterinary practice. They focus on gentle natural treatments for animals using Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine principles. Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicines, Trigger Point muscle treatments (physical adjustments), Natural Plant essences and supplements and a wholesome natural diet as the tools to help pets heal.
When I made the booking through the Asia Paws website for the 1st appointment, I was emailed the clinic’s location as well as a lengthy questionnaire including a request for a short video of the dog’s movements so that Dr Susanna can better assess her condition.
The 1st appointment was a few days ago and once inside the clinic, the receptionist asked me a few questions regarding my dog’s health before Dr Susanna appeared. My 1st impression of Dr Susanna is that she is a thorough professional who takes what she does seriously so much so that the clinic doesn’t even take calls to avoid any interruptions to the consultation. All enquiries are strictly via email/SMS/WhatsApp.
Before the acupuncture session, Dr Susanna asked me a lot of questions such as the condition of Juliet’s eyes, ears, skin, her diet, her health history. All the answers help in determining the severity of the dog’s condition and after the question and answer session, Dr Susanna takes the dog’s pulse on the hind legs. Juliet’s pulse is rather weak and her blood circulation isn’t as well as it ought to be.
The needles are all new, Dr Susanna doesn’t re-use needles and that is reassuring. They will only go in to certain extent and I was confident my dog was in the best hands as I knew Dr Susanna has treated many animals with success. Juliet didn’t wince or whine when the ten needles went in, I am proud of my wonderful doggy, so brave and trusting.
During the 20 minute acupuncture session, I sat next to Juliet and told her everything would be fine. I am sure she was not in any pain as she was licking my hand and looking at me cheerfully. After the needles were taken out, Dr Susanna offered Juliet treats from Denmark but she didn’t take any there (she usually doesn’t take any food when she is out of the house).
Dr Susanna did say that acupuncture isn’t a miracle cure and I don’t have unrealistic expectations such as Juliet will be able to run around as smoothly as she once did. However, my expectations aren’t high. I would just like her to be a bit more mobile, to get up and walk without pain. Just to have a reasonable quality of life for her remaining years. Even animals have dignity and I am sure no animal enjoys being carried around all the time. They would also like to be able to move about on their own.
I know that it’ll take a lot more acupuncture sessions to see any results and after this 1st session, I am convinced that it’ll benefit Juliet to have more sessions with Dr Susanna which is why I will be signing up for more sessions. It’s recommended that Juliet go for once weekly sessions. A package of 5 sessions costs RM585 which works out to be slightly cheaper than individual sessions at RM130 each time.
After the appointment, Dr Susanna emailed me Juliet’s diagnosis:-
- Qi Deficiency –very small and weak pulse especially on her left hind limb
- Damp Heat – best explained as “muddy Qi” (like ‘muddy water’) leading to chronic inflammation (arthritis, as diagnosed by Juliet’s vet)
- ‘Blood’ Deficiency – indicated by dry fur (before) and current quality of hair and eyes (dry eye syndrome aka “Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca”)
- Qi Flow Stagnation along the Gallbladder Meridian – the cause of pain and organ disease on hip, stifle and hock joints.
Along the way, I hope to learn more about natural therapies and pain relievers for dogs. I would like Juliet to try homeopatic remedies. Dr Susanna can prescribe purely plant based, chemical free and safe herbal formulas if Juliet needs extra help in ‘tonification’ and moving of Qi. I have to have faith that Juliet will get better with help from natural remedies.
