LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) -
(KTRE) - A Lufkin vet is bringing new life to pets by introducing alternative treatments at his practice.
Life's been itchy for 11 year-old Mac. The Scottish Terrier has suffered from allergies most of his life.
"Itchy spots, He'll claw at them. Some of them were flea bites, allergic to fleas. He would just scratch them, scratch them until he would get the spots raw," said Elizabeth Tubbs, Dog Owner.
Mac's owner, Elizabeth Tubbs, took him to West Loop Animal Clinic where Veterinarian C.R. Shilling gave him regular cortisone shots.
"After a certain length of time it was elevating his liver and kidney counts,"said Tubbs.
Off the shots, Mac got back to gnawing and scratching.
"He would have it raw and bleeding," said Tubbs.
In February, Dr. Shilling had a new plan for treatment called cold laser therapy. Mac receives the three minute treatments 1-2 times a week.
"Since we've been doing the lasers, the hair come back. He's still scratching some, but no where near the quantity he used to," said Shilling.
Dr. shilling is also experimenting with Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (V.O.M.). It's like chiropractic care for animals.
He's seen amazing results on sore horses.
"You could tell the horses muscles were tight, I've seen this muscles just completely relax," said Shilling.
The cold laser and V.O.M. tools, Shilling believes, can treat a variety of problems in your pets.
"Allergies would be number one... Probably helping certain arthritis and wound healing," said Shilling.
It's not a 100% cure, but Shilling is excited about offering the treatments to his four-legged patients.
"It's not going to work every time, but it's an alternative to drugs, injections," said Shilling.
For Mac and his owner, it's a new lease on life.
"Cause you know we had gotten to the point we didn't what to do," said Tubbs.
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Mac's allergies
Cold Laser Therapy
Vet C.R. Shilling
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