Cole Park Veterinary Hospital

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PREGNANCY IN DOGS Dr. Debra Primovic General Practice Preventative Medicine - Theriogenology OVERVIEW Pregnancy is the period of gestation when the young are developing in the mothers uterus. Normal gestation in dogs is 58 to 68 days (the average is 63 days). The litter size in dogs varies from one puppy to more than 17 in some giant breed dogs.

Acupuncture has been used for over 2000 years in China to treat many medical conditions. Over the last 10 to 20 years acupuncture and other Eastern modalities have become more accepted in the West, especially for treating pain. At Cole Park Veterinary Hospital, we offer acupuncture and herbal medication, together called TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The basic premise of acupuncture involves Qi, a type of energy or life force coursing through channels called meridians on our bodies. There are 12 main meridians that are continuously connected to each other and also associated with our internal organs. When there is a blockage or abnormal flow of Qi along the meridians, it can cause pain or illness. Acupuncture sessions are meant to relieve these blockages.
Studies have shown that most Acupuncture points are located in areas with a high concentration of small blood vessels and nerve endings. Locally, acupuncture needles can cause muscle relaxation and increase in blood flow to the area. There can also be systemic effects by causing the release of endorphins and in some cases seratonin which can have a longer effect.
TCM can be used to treat and ameliorate clinical signs of many medical conditions including kidney disease, gastrointestinal problems and cancer. Behavioral(anxiety) and neurological diseases(seizures) can also be treated. More commonly we use Acupuncture to treat diseases that cause pain or weakness. It can be very effective in relieving patient discomfort associated with arthritis or intervertebral disc disease.
Two of our veterinarians, Dr. Pat Pagel and Dr. Michelle Droke are certified to practice TCM at our hospital. Owners interested in pursuing this treatment can call to make a consult appointment. At the consult, a full physical exam is performed and a detailed history is acquired in order to make a treatment plan. Most treatment plans consist of weekly acupuncture visits for 6 to 8 weeks. Acupuncture needles are very small and are left in place for 15 to 20 minutes. Depending on patient response, frequency of visits can be decreased in many cases. Treatments can be modified if appropriate by adding electroacupuncture or moxibustion. Electroacupuncture involves running electric current between the needles for a stronger stimulation. This treatment is tolerated well and while it does cause a tingling sensation, it does not cause discomfort. Moxibustion is an herbal treatment that involves heating the needles with compressed mugwort to warm the acupuncture points. Treatments can be further tailored to the individual patient by adding herbal medications.
TCM is a safe way to improve the quality of life of many pets. Call Cole Park Veterinary Hospital if you are interested in having your pet evaluated for this treatment.

Cole Park Veterinary Hospital is a full-service veterinary medical facility, located in Chapel Hill, NC. The professional and courteous staff at Cole Park Veterinary Hospital seeks to provide the best possible medical care, surgical care and dental care for their highly-valued patients. We are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, preventative health care and health-related educational opportunities for our clients. Cole Park Veterinary Hospital strives to offer excellence in veterinary care to Chapel Hill, NC and surrounding areas. Please take a moment to contact us today, to learn more about our veterinary practice and to find our more information about how Cole Park Veterinary Hospital can serve the needs of you and your cherished pet. We appreciate your visit. If you have any questions regarding the Cole Park Vet experience, our veterinary services, long-term/vacation boarding, anything at all - just call us at (919) 929-3352. We are here to assist you, and care for your pet. If you would like a tour of our facilities, please contact us.

Hi Everyone at Cole Park Vet Hospital!
Just wanted to give you a quick update on our 14 year old part cattle dog, Annie. You haven't seen us for a while, but that's because Annie is doing so Well !! Annie had almost two years of chronic back pain when we brought her into Cole Park for acupuncture. Improvement was gradual, but over time quite dramatic. Before she was reluctant to even lie flat on her side. Now she can't wait to get out to roll around and scratch her back in the grass. She wiggles and squirms - not the behavior of a dog in pain. We once again do about a 30 minute walk in the woods each day. Didn't think that would ever happen again. Annie still sleeps alot (after all, she is an elderly lady and mostly deaf), but when she's awake, she actually seems to have reverted to some of her young dog play. We know there are no miracles that can make her young again, and we feel blessed that she is still with us, but we feel even more blessed that it's now quality time!! Thanks for everything !!