Mickey loved to run and was very fast. But, as a teenager, she developed back problems. Nuclear imaging revealed she had cervical vertebrae instability. Many believed the career for this racehorse was over. But instead, Mickey is fresh off a top-10 finish in January’s 25-mile Bumble Bee Endurance Ride.
Her owner and veterinarian, Dr. Chris Bertch-Mumaw, DVM MAV-CVA, calls the 17-year-old Tennessee walker her “miracle horse.” She says the mare wanted to run again. Dr. Bertch-Mumaw credits Mickey’s strong will for her return to health, but she also credits acupuncture.
“She was given to me by a friend and it was recommended for her not to be ridden again,” she said. “What I did was multiple, and I do mean multiple, sessions with the acupuncture and the Class4 laser. I added nutritional supplements, but not until the end of her training. I believe the acupuncture is what made the huge difference for her.
It took approximately two years to get her to the point of endurance.”
Dr. Bertch-Mumaw of Bell Rock Veterinary Clinic in Sedona has been a veterinarian since 1987. She added scientific acupuncture to her practice in 2008 and has used it on dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs and even fish.
“There isn’t one set case type I use it for,” she said. “It’s a tool in our medical toolbox, as is the case where we might use antibiotics, antihistamines and shampoos for skin infections, we may also add acupuncture to modulate the immune response.”
Aside from Mickey’s recovery, she says the most success she’s seen with acupuncture on pets is on dogs with back problems. “They’ve been able to walk again.”
Dr. Tandra Gaul, DVM CVA, of Mile Hi Animal Hospital in Prescott has experienced the same kind of success. She has been a veterinarian since 1999 and has practiced acupuncture since 2012. She tells the story of Annie, a shepherd mix who had trouble getting up because of problems with her back legs.
“She was brought in for a second opinion after another hospital recommended euthanasia,” said Dr. Gaul. “Her owner was very open minded and wanted to try acupuncture. Annie responded really well. She was able to have a whole extra year with her family and a nice quality of life.”
Veterinarians say acupuncture stimulates the production of endorphins, neurotransmitters in the brain that relieve stress and enhance pleasure. They say the therapy is also about relieving inflammation and allowing energy to flow so the body can heal itself.
“Sometimes we can get better results with acupuncture than back surgery,” said Dr. Gaul, who has rehabilitated a wild owl with the ancient practice. “It’s much more affordable and an easier recovery for the animal.”
She says the use of acupuncture on animals has been around for thousands of years, but has become a new trend recently in the Quad Cities area and elsewhere. As more pet owners seek acupuncture for their pets, she says her business has expanded.
“What’s really neat is that ancient practices and Western medicine complement each other really well,” said Dr. Gaul. “A lot of the times, we see improvement after the first treatment.”
Judy Bensinger, of Dewey, was a skeptic when Dr. Gaul first recommended it, but now is a believer in acupuncture. She has two cats and four dogs. Most of them receive treatments for various reasons. Her five-year-old, 50-pound Australian shepherd has moderate arthritis. “She has been asymptomatic, in part, with acupuncture. She just runs around.”
Bensinger says acupuncture helps her arthritic 15-year-old Siamese cat, Sassy, with pain and mobility. Her nine-year-old cat, Sedona, receives acupuncture to help manage his allergies. “Sedona is normally a little wild, but he’ll actually jump up on the table for Dr. Gaul. He just lies there and relaxes for acupuncture.”
Bensinger believes acupuncture also has strengthened the immune system of her eight-year-old, 100-pound German shepherd, Oakley, who was treated with chemotherapy for spindle cell cancer tumors. Oakley has been cancer-free for almost two years.
“I’ve been pretty surprised at how dramatic the results are,” she said. “Humans can have a placebo effect, but dogs and cats don’t understand that.” QCBN
Dr. Chris Bertch-Mumaw DVM MAV-CVA, can be reached at the Bell Rock Veterinary Clinic, 45 Bell Rock Plaza in Sedona, 928-284-2840.
Dr. Tandra Gaul DVM CVA, can be reached at Mile Hi Animal Hospital, 334 White Spar Road in Prescott, (928) 445-4581.
By Bonnie Stevens
Quad Cities Business News
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