In the two centuries since Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister revolutionized medical practice with vaccination, sterilization, aseptic surgical techniques, and other remarkable breakthroughs, the fields of human medicine and surgery have continued to forward, with veterinary science hot on their heels. A clear divide has developed between what is recognized as modern Western medicine and the more traditional, natural methods of the East.
Traditional Chinese medicine, commonly referred to as TCM, has been largely rendered obsolete in much of the Western world. Its practitioners are dismissed as superstitious witches, and anyone wishing to explore TCM as an option is treated with a condescending smile and told to stick to science.
In an interesting twist of irony, many people are turning away from modern medicine and looking to more natural, homeopathic ways to treat certain ailments and improve their overall health. Even doctors, nurses, and veterinarians are beginning to recognize the potential benefits that TCM can offer, realizing that science and TCM can be used together, with great results.
Let’s take a look at what traditional Chinese veterinary medicine is and how it can help your cat.
What is TCM?
Traditional Chinese medicine has existed for over 3,000 years, and its foundation is in the flow of the vital life force, known as Qi (pronounced “chee”). Disease is believed to be the result of blocked or disrupted Qi, so the principle of TCM is to restore its flow, which can take many forms, including:
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure
- Moxibustion (burning herbal leaves on or near the body)
- Cupping (using a vacuum created in a hot glass jar at the body’s suction points)
- Massage
- Herbal medicines
- Movement and concentration (eg, tai chi and meditation)
What is interesting about most of these treatments is that there are very few in the way of dangerous risks or side effects; where the perceived risk is when treatments based on scientific evidence are discarded in favor of unproven methods.
Equally, the opposite is true, and TCM should not be dismissed without substantial evidence that it is ineffective or harmful. After all, there’s a reason why these remedies have been practiced for several thousand years, and since China has the third highest life expectancy in the world, perhaps we should pay attention, regardless of your personal that view.1
What is TCM? Nope
It is common for alternative therapies to be lumped together, and TCM is often considered synonymous with homeopathy, which it is not.
Homeopathy is based on the use of highly diluted substances to treat certain ailments, following the principle that “the more diluted the substance, the greater the effects.” Considering that some of the common ingredients used in homeopathic treatments include poison ivy, belladonna (deadly nightshade), arsenic, and stinging nettle, dilute is definitely preferable! However, many studies have shown that, most of the time, treatments are so diluted that they are essentially just water, and if not diluted enough, have the potential to cause more harm than good
Homeopathy is generally not recognized or recommended by doctors or veterinarians, whereas TCM is increasingly used and prescribed.
How TCM Can Help Your Cat and Types of Treatment
You can guess that some TCM techniques will not be suitable for our feline friends. Cupping and moxibustion are both impractical and unsafe to apply to cats, and although most cats appear to spend most of their time meditating, convincing them to engage in tai chi can be quite far!
However, you may be surprised to learn that acupuncture, acupressure, massage, and certain herbal remedies can be used to help treat a number of feline ailments, some with remarkable results.
Acupuncture
Cats are surprisingly tolerant of this needling treatment and are known to respond well to treatments, even more so than dogs. It is most commonly used to treat pain, but acupuncture has also been found to be effective in managing several conditions, including:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Neurological disorders
- Healing wounds
- Osteoarthritis
- Respiratory disease (feline asthma, for example)
- Gastrointestinal and urogenital problems
- Stress and anxiety
One of the main advantages of using acupuncture in cats is that it can be used in conjunction with most medications and health conditions and can be very helpful in managing arthritis in older cats with kidney disease.
Acupressure
It is a technique that follows the same points and principles as acupuncture but uses pressure instead of needles. The benefit of this is that anyone can learn how to do it, so you can treat your cat at home while they sit on your lap!
Massage
Similar to acupressure but without targeting specific points, massage can help improve circulation, mobility, and lung capacity, and, if nothing else, strengthen your relationship with your cat!
Herbal Remedies
There are many supplements and remedies that can be safely used by humans but can be fatal for your cat, so this is an area you really need to explore with your vet.
Herbal remedies are often used to help manage cat stress, anxiety, and arthritis.
What Are the Benefits of TCM for Cats?
One of the main benefits of incorporating TCM into your cat’s health care is that it is based on a “whole body” view, rather than on a specific disease or body part. TCM works on general health by aiming to improve movement, exercise, digestive health, mental health, circulation, heart and respiratory health, and immunity, which is why the term “holistic treatments” is often used. “
Another major advantage of using TCM in cats is that it poses little risk to organ systems and can be used to replace or reduce doses of drugs that can cause harmful side effects, such as non-steroidal anti -inflammatories for arthritis.
TCM for cats can only be delivered by a qualified veterinarian, which means that your cat will receive care from someone familiar with all aspects of veterinary medicine, which is not always the case with human TCM.
What Are the Problems Associated with TCM for Cats?
There are several potential downsides associated with using TCM in cats, including:
- It is not a substitute for surgery
- Some herbal remedies can be dangerous
- Not all veterinarians are happy to incorporate TCM into their treatments
- It can be dangerous if owners stop using other treatments and use only TCM
The Takeaway on TCM and Cats
There is a certain amount of irony in the fact that modern medicine, which distanced itself from Chinese medicine in the past, is beginning to embrace many aspects of TCM. This change in understanding is beneficial to us and our pets, as it opens up a range of alternative treatments that were previously rejected out of hand. While there are some health conditions for which TCM is not appropriate, many others can be improved by incorporating traditional methods into modern treatment plans.
We do not recommend taking an either/or position regarding TCM, but we do recommend exploring different options with your veterinarian. After all, if we can combine modern medicine, herbal remedies, and acupuncture to manage arthritis, inflammatory bowel, or feline asthma to provide the best and safest results, why wouldn’t we?
Featured Image Credit: Ekaterina Kuzovkova, Shutterstock
