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Alternative Care


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Alternative Medicine For Pets



Alternative Medicine For Pets

When it comes to protecting your pet's health, the Healthy Paws Pet Insurance plan includes coverage for alternative medicine, like acupuncture and chiropractic. Treatments just need to be performed by a licensed veterinarian to help your dog or cat recover from an accident or illness.


Like us, our pets can also suffer from a variety of debilitating chronic, degenerative conditions. Fortunately, more and more veterinarians are taking a holistic approach to the treatment of illnesses, looking at all aspects of your pet's life, including diet and lifestyle, to find and effectively treat the root causes of their problem.



Why Choose Alternative Care for My Pet?

Alternative therapy may increase the rate of post-op recoveries and significantly help degenerative spine issues, neurologic disc problems, hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament injuries. Imagine how doubly lucky you'll feel when your pet makes stellar progress in their recovery from an illness or injury, and you've got a Healthy Paws pet insurance plan that can help take a huge bite of the bill.


What Kinds of Alternative Care Treatments are Available for My Pet?


pet acupuncture

Acupuncture — The Chinese have been using this form of therapy for centuries. It involves using needles to stabilize energy flow within the meridian system to bring the body back into balance, helping it fight disease. Most commonly used to treat arthritis in pets, acupuncture may work for conditions ranging from neurological problems (such as seizures) to skin disorders, thyroid imbalances and heart conditions.

Is acupuncture covered by pet insurance? Yes, acupuncture is included in covered treatments by the Healthy Paws plan when performed by a licensed veterinarian to treat a new injury or illness.


pet chiropractic

Chiropractic — Chiropractic therapy uses the body's own healing abilities and the relationship between the spine and the nervous system to restore and maintain good health. This kind of therapy is particularly helpful for dogs, who more-commonly suffer from joint degeneration, floating kneecaps, hip dysplasia, tail injuries and TMJ issues. It can help cats and dogs with urinary incontinence, injuries from slips and falls, neck and back pain and post-surgical healing.

Is chiropractic covered by pet insurance? The Healthy Paws plan includes coverage for chiropractic therapy if it is recommended and performed by a licensed veterinarian.


pet hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy — This form of treatment is most commonly used for dogs. Hydrotherapy is a carefully controlled, closely monitored course of swimming sessions in a specially designed heated pool. Hydrotherapy has been proven to provide significant and lasting benefits for pets with a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, hip dysplasia, cruciate and spinal injuries, fractures and neurological damage. Hydrotherapy also increases the chances of your pet's fast and compete recovery after surgery by relieving pain and reducing swelling and stiffness.

Does pet insurance cover hydrotherapy? Yes, hydrotherapy is included in coverage by the Healthy Paws plan when recommended and performed by a licensed veterinarian for any new injury or illness that is not pre-existing.


pet physical therapy

Physical Therapy — Just like humans, physical therapy for animals is used for rehabilitation after healing from orthopedic injuries. Physical therapy can include various techniques, such as range of motion exercises to help restore normal joint movement and flexibility, massage therapy to help with circulation, and cold therapy to reduce inflammation. Rehabilitation is vital to the healing process and helping your pet get back to their pre-injury physical abilities.

Does pet insurance cover physical therapy? Yes, physical therapy is covered by the Healthy Paws plan when recommended and performed by a licensed veterinarian, as long as the condition treated is not pre-existing.


pet laser therapy

Laser therapy — Also known as red-light therapy or cold laser therapy, this low-level light energy works at a frequency that causes a physiological change at the cellular level. Laser therapy can promote healing and reduce inflammation by increasing blood flow to the cells involved. It reduces the formation of scar tissue and speed the healing of infections and wounds. This type of treatment can be favored over medication for pets with limited medical treatment options, such as older pets or those with liver disease.

Does pet insurance cover laser therapy? The Healthy Paws plan covers laser therapy for new conditions when performed by a licensed veterinarian.


pet massage

Massage — Massage therapy is one form of rehabilitation that uses specific hand movements to improve muscle and joint function. Massage can help stimulate or relax muscles and improve circulation of lymphatic fluid and blood flow. This type of therapy is rarely a standalone treatment; when a veterinarian recommends massage for an injury, it is often a part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Does pet insurance cover massage? The Healthy Paws plan covers massage, which is often a component of a holistic physical therapy approach when performed by a licensed veterinarian.


pet herbal therapy

Veterinary herbal therapy — Herbal medicine, also called herbalism, is an umbrella term for the use of plant-based medicines. Companies have advertised that herbal approaches can help manage conditions like epilepsy, liver failure, hormonal disorders, and chronic kidney failure. At this time, most herbal treatments for veterinary use lack regulated manufacturing standards and quality control.

Does pet insurance cover herbology/herbalism? The Healthy Paws plan does not cover herbal medicine treatments.


pet homeopathy

Homeopathy — Not to be confused with herbal medicine, homeopathy consists of therapeutic remedies made from natural substances to work with the body to gently improve health. Homeopathic pharmacies must produce medication that complies with standards set by the Food and Drug Administration and the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. Homeopathy may be used as an alternative medicine or in addition to conventional medicines.

Does pet insurance cover homeopathy? No, the Healthy Paws plan does not cover homeopathy treatments.




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